The Perfect Step Podcast: Pathways to Healing

From Neuro Recovery Specialist to Fitness Entrepreneur: Shawn Gutierrez's Journey

Listen Later

In this insightful episode of "Pathways to Healing," hosts Cody Norman and Logan Frye sit down with Shawn Gutierrez, a seasoned professional with a rich history in the world of health and fitness. Shawn's journey is both inspiring and enlightening, spanning over a decade of experience as a specialist at The Perfect Step (TPS) and now thriving as a personal trainer for the able-bodied population through his own company, "Fitness by Design."

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Early Beginnings: Shawn's background, including his roots in Southern California, his academic journey at Cal Poly Pomona, and how he ventured into the field of health and fitness.
  • Specialist at The Perfect Step: Shawn shares his experiences as one of the original Project Walk specialists at the Claremont Club and discusses the transition from Project Walk to The Perfect Step. He delves into what makes TPS unique and effective in the world of paralysis recovery.
  • Engagement with the SCI Community: Shawn recounts his involvement with the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) community, highlighting his SCI 101 experience and his impactful Master's thesis on sex education post-SCI.
  • Transition to Personal Training: Shawn talks about his shift from working with the neuro-recovery population to serving the general population and the differences and similarities he has observed.
  • Teaching and Mentorship: His role as an educator at Mt. San Antonio College and how teaching has enriched his professional life.
  • Inspirational Stories and Advice: Shawn shares some of the most memorable recovery stories from his time at TPS and offers valuable tips for newcomers to the paralysis community. He also discusses how people reinvent their lives post-SCI, drawing from both his experiences and those of his clients.

    • Questions Explored:

    1. What inspired Shawn to pursue a career in health and fitness?
    2. How did training techniques evolve from his early days at Project Walk to the end of his tenure at TPS?
    3. What significant changes did he witness in the paralysis recovery community over the years?
    4. Can he recount a unique story or experience from his early years working at a paralysis recovery center?
    5. What is the most remarkable recovery story he has been a part of, even without naming names?
    6. What simple advice does he have for those new to the paralysis community?
    7. How has Shawn seen individuals reinvent their lives, and what does he believe is key to successful reinvention?

      8. Tune in to gain profound insights and be inspired by Shawn Gutierrez's dedication to healing and transformation, both within the paralysis recovery community and beyond.

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      The Perfect Step Podcast: Pathways to HealingBy The Perfect Step Podcast: Pathways to Healing