Get To Know Velocity Athletic Training – Exclusive Interview With Helena Smolock
- Brainz Magazine
- Apr 10, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 27, 2024
Helena Smolock, is an award-winning CPT-RNC, a Master Athlete, and Founder and President of Velocity Athletic Training. She received the Business Excellence Award from the Langley Chamber of Commerce 2003, was voted by clients and business associates across Canada and the USA as Business Person of the Year (2020-2022), seated at No.4 in the top ten businesses in the USA, and most recently in 2023 seated at No.1 (Blaine, WA). Voted in the top ten Business Person of the Year 2023, seated at No.6 in the USA. Her company, Velocity Athletic Training has most recently been voted by LUXLife 2023 as the No.1 Personal Training Company in Washington State. She has been a Fitness Columnist for Canadian Healthstyle Magazine, The Langley Times and has been featured on radio and television. Helena is also WBENC ‒ Certified as a Woman Owned Business. The Gold Standard in business Certification.
From athletes and corporate professionals, to those seeking post-rehab, Helena has provided an environment where a trusted bond is developed between client and coach. Together we design your 1:1 Functional Conditioning to boost your Fitness with an Athletic Twist to enhance Performance and Mindset to WIN!!
Helena Smolock, Founder and President ‒ Velocity Athletic Training
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario Canada where my career in the Fitness Industry started at the age of 16. My initial career choice was to become a Criminal Lawyer, that is all I talked about, read about, and was preparing myself to get into Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. By a guided force, l will refer to it as my instinct. In grade 13, I had requested to gain work experience to earn credits rather than spend another year and all day in school. I was placed in the Ottawa Courthouse, Criminal Division where I had the opportunity to navigate through the system, learn more about it. Nearing the end of my work experience, I had been placed to observe a court case, which was a murder case. By the end of it, I had decided not to pursue the one career I had talked about, and read about ‒ Criminal Lawyer. My thoughts were ‒ I do not want to see the destructive side of humanity and what people can and will do to one another. I was at my crossroads, distraught about what it is that I wanted to do in life. Well, there it was standing in front of me. I had a part-time job at Catherine's Lady Fitness where I taught classes of all levels, I was training members in the weight room as well I was a Track Athlete. From that point, my career grew to what it is today! 40 years of changing client's lives both in private and the Corporate Sectors. We often read "This is a passion of mine", we are guided to what we should be doing in our life. As I look back, I realize how much this is in my lineage from my grandfather who healed others through touch. I was a child watching him using the laying of hands. This is not only a passion, but a gift passed down from one generation to the next, it is God's work.
How Does Velocity Athletic Training differentiate from other Fitness and Athletic Businesses?
Velocity Athletic Training differentiates itself from other fitness and athletic businesses by focusing on Optimal Customer Service in a private boutique-style studio. One by one, each client is trained to understand their body, how it functions in relation to exercise as well to their nutrition. There is no train all clients using the same techniques. Every BODY is different. As a trainer and RNC, I want to learn from my clients their ‒ Past, Present and Future. I have never had any client drop out or leave to go to a competitor. I am firm when training but as well a client and I are sharing some great laughs!
How has your business adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what changes have you made to ensure the safety of your clients while still providing effective training services?
During COVID-19, I offered no online Personal Training and Fitness Classes. I take a client's privacy very seriously as well safety. I must be present with the client to ensure they are using proper form and technique. A client loses that opportunity with a trainer if services are online. Not to forget the liability involved when the trainer is not present.
Who inspires you to be the best you can be?
My dad is my inspiration. He was an exceptional businessperson. I learned so much about business and his belief had always been to practice Integrity, Honesty and remain humble in low times. Being self-employed is like being on a roller coaster ride, there are highs and there are lows ‒ How you deal with them will determine if you last and I have ‒ 40 years!
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
If there is one thing, I could change about my industry is more regulations to protect the consumer, this must be achieved through Consumer Protection Agencies. It is unfortunate that gyms open and close as quickly as they open. In the past, consumers have lost their money when gyms closed and continued to take money from members. In Canada, it is illegal to sell lifetime memberships for this specific reason.
Tell us about your greatest career achievements so far?
My greatest achievements so far are being voted by my clients, peers, connections, and business associates as Businessperson of the Year 2020‒2023! I placed No.4 and in 2023 No.6 in the top 10 Business Persons in the USA! I am grateful to everyone who shared their testimony, many pulled at my heartstrings. I have received my certification as Woman Business Owned in Washington State. I was nominated in 2003 by the Langley Chamber of Commerce. Most recently have been voted by LUXLife as the No.1 Personal Training Business in Washington State. I am also a co-author with 19 other women about Self Love Elevated and the author of What's Your Type? Understanding Your Body and Personality
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today?
Pivotal moment in life is moving from British Columbia Canada to Blaine, WA, USA to be with my husband. Moved here in 2019 and while waiting for my Immigration paperwork, COVID hit in 2020 the year I received my Work Permit. I decided to register for Velocity Athletic Training in the USA and like everyone else, I have been working to build my business. I remain Positive, Humble and Resilient. I am grateful.
