From Soccer Star To Founder Of Tori Training – Exclusive Interview With Viktoria Hogan
- Brainz Magazine
- Dec 24, 2024
- 4 min read
Viktoria Hogan is a personal trainer and online nutrition coach who runs Tori Training, an online solution to your health and fitness goals. She lives in the U.S. but is originally from Sweden. She played soccer up through college and has always had a passion for training and nutrition. As a trainer since the beginning of 2020, she has trained a multitude of clients and gained several specialization certifications within her field. Her main mission is to improve people's quality of life.
Viktoria Hogan, Personal Trainer and Online Nutrition Coach
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life so we can get to know you better.
My name is Viktoria Hogan, and I am originally from Sweden. I moved to the U.S. in 2014 for college and have lived here ever since, although in a few different states. My husband and I met in college, have been married since 2019, and now have two dogs: an Australian Cattle Dog mix named Lucy and a Lab-Beagle mix named Sybil.
What inspired you to transition from a passion for soccer to founding Tori Training in 2024?
I originally studied Criminology in college, but after I graduated, I decided to switch careers and get my personal training certification. Having played soccer through college, health and fitness have always been an interest of mine and something I wanted to pursue. I originally wanted to work in criminology to help people, and now, as a trainer and nutritionist, I am still able to do that.
How do your certifications, such as being an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, influence your approach to online coaching?
I want to make training accessible to more people, and I think there is a gap between people being able to pay for in-person training and those wanting or needing the help of a trainer. With my Corrective Exercise Specialist experience, I am able to help more people with muscle imbalances, recovering from injuries, or improving their movement patterns more effectively. I have worked with all different age groups, from preteens to 93-year-olds, with goals ranging from weight loss to regaining balance and strength after a stroke to gaining muscle mass.
Can you elaborate on the unique features of your online programs that make them as personal and effective as in-person coaching?
Yes, what sets my programs apart is the feature of recording your form. I want to make personal training more accessible, but I also understand that some people prefer to work out on their own. Whether it’s because they don’t want a trainer there, the cost is too high, or their schedule doesn’t allow for appointments, my programs are designed to fit their needs. I offer courses and programs you can do on your own to learn how to strength train or create a program for yourself. I also provide personalized programs, where your workouts are uploaded to an app, allowing you to train at your convenience with whatever equipment you have. Each exercise includes a written description and videos showing proper technique, and you can log the weights and reps you perform, with the app remembering for you. The app also has a feature where you can record yourself doing the exercises, which are sent to me so I can check your form and provide suggestions for improvement. This bridges the gap between online and in-person training. The programs are entirely individualized, and we’ll have video chats each month to ensure you’re on track, in addition to communication through the app.
How does your Precision Nutrition certification integrate into your fitness programs to promote lasting habits?
Nutrition goes hand-in-hand with fitness. Whatever your goals are, they won’t be achieved as effectively without combining both. I don’t provide exact meal plans or dictate specific times to eat. Instead, I focus on building small, sustainable habits over time so my clients can adopt a healthy lifestyle and maintain their results long-term.
I assist with calories and macros, but for clients who are intimidated by weighing food, I also use hand portions and offer suggestions for healthy options within each food group. You can choose to work solely on nutrition with me or combine it with a workout program.
What challenges have you encountered in guiding individuals worldwide toward their fitness goals, and how have you addressed them?
Sometimes, I encounter cultural differences that I’m less familiar with, which can make it a bit more challenging to guide people, particularly with nutrition. However, with proper communication and an open-minded approach to learning and adapting, these challenges have only expanded my experience with different methods. I find cultures fascinating, so being able to work online with people from anywhere in the world is truly rewarding.
Could you share a success story that exemplifies the impact of your personalized training and nutrition coaching?
I’ve helped several clients regain balance and strength after strokes and supported many others on their weight loss journeys. One client, in particular, stands out. She had muscle imbalances and old injuries from a childhood car accident, including a foot drop, but through consistent workouts and nutrition, she was able to hike El Camino de Santiago in Spain on a 500-mile journey. Her dedication to her program and nutrition made this incredible achievement possible.
