From Rejections to Results with ISSA Career Connect and a Certified Personal Trainer Credential

After decades in fabrication and welding, Denny Reeder was ready for change. Fitness had been his passion since the 1990s, but breaking into the industry wasn’t easy. Rejection emails piled up until he discovered ISSA’s Career Connect platform. Within weeks of earning his Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) credential, Denny landed a role at 24 Hour Fitness. Completing his certification as a personal trainer and preparing for the certification exam were key steps in his journey to become a certified personal trainer. By becoming a certified personal trainer, Denny was able to gain new career opportunities in the fitness industry.

“I found Career Connect to be a very valuable resource and attribute it to my recent job acquisition at 24 Hour Fitness,” Denny said. “Before using Career Connect, my email was filled up with denial emails. This is a true testament to the help afforded by ISSA.”

From Steel to Strength

For years, Denny worked in heavy industry welding, metal finishing, and fabrication. But fitness was always there in the background.

• He began training in 1996, transforming from 25% body fat to just 7%.

• In 2000, he earned a bodybuilding trainer certification from a non-accredited organization and it wasn’t recognized by gyms. Many employers require an NCCA-accredited certification, which is nationally recognized and meets high industry standards.

• After years of on-again, off-again jobs in steel, he decided it was finally time to turn fitness into his career.

“The volatility of the steel industry pushed me to pursue what I’ve wanted to do for years, to help others transform their health,” he explained.

Finding the Right Personal Trainer Certification Partner

Denny’s path wasn’t without setbacks. He initially tried another certification program but lost access to his course when his community was devastated by a wildfire, losing literally everything including his laptop. After months of stalled progress, he turned to ISSA.

“I called ISSA and explained everything I had been through. They understood and helped me find a way to enroll and earn my personal training certification,” he said. ISSA provided access to comprehensive study guides and a variety of study materials, allowing Denny to study at his own pace. He was able to select a flexible enrollment date and take advantage of monthly payments, making the program more accessible. Despite previous setbacks, Denny was able to complete all certification requirements through ISSA.

Not only did ISSA provide him with a path to a recognized certification, but the program also opened the door to ISSA Career Connect, a direct pipeline to gyms and recruiters nationwide.

ISSA Career Connect: Creating Connections and Opportunities

For Denny, the job market had been a source of frustration. “Employers are still trying to hire as if we’re in a pandemic,” Denny noted. “Everything is online, and it takes weeks just to get a rejection email. Without Career Connect, I don’t think I’d have landed an interview at all.”

Not only did ISSA provide him with a path to a recognized certification, but the program also opened the door to ISSA Career Connect, a direct pipeline to gyms and recruiters nationwide. Career Connect helps certified trainers find opportunities in health clubs, fitness facilities, and wellness centers.

Through ISSA’s Career Connect, Denny was quickly matched with 24 Hour Fitness. Within 48 days of earning his CPT, he had a job offer in hand.

“All I needed was the interview,” he said. “Once I had that chance, I knew I could sell myself and my passion for fitness.”

A Lifelong Goal Achieved

Denny’s first official role in the fitness industry is as a Fitness Coach with 24 Hour Fitness, just minutes from his home. He’s also continuing his education with ISSA’s Group Exercise Instructor course. By earning continuing education units (CEUs), Denny is able to maintain his certification and further train in advanced fitness training techniques. 

“I’m very proud to be a Certified Personal Trainer with ISSA. I appreciate the organization for all it has done in helping me reach my lifelong goal,” he shared on Facebook.

His advice to others pursuing fitness careers? Patience and persistence. “It took me 48 days to get to this point. Don’t give up your day job too soon, it takes time, just like training your body. But eventually, you’ll get the call.”

Building Your Own Success Story

Denny’s experience from welding shop floors to coaching clients at a leading gym highlights the power of pairing determination with the right support. ISSA’s certifications, accredited exams, and Career Connect platform create real career pathways, helping fitness professionals like Denny land opportunities faster.

Preparing for the ISSA Certified Personal Trainer exam involves using comprehensive study materials, taking practice tests, and completing knowledge checks to reinforce your learning. The program includes a final exam, and candidates receive instant results upon completion of the test. Upon successful completion of the NCCA-accredited CPT exam and certification exams, trainers are qualified to work with special populations and clients with various health conditions. It is essential to hold a current CPR AED certification, AED certification, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation credentials, as well as understand the use of an automated external defibrillator. The curriculum covers essential training concepts, fitness programming, and strategies for addressing clients' goals, personal fitness, exercise behavior, and weight loss. The program is NCCA accredited and emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge required for success as a personal trainer.

Ready to write your own success story? Explore ISSA’s Certified Personal Trainer program and learn more about Career Connect today.

Tami Nealy is the VP of Communications at the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). She oversees brand positioning, media relations, and strategic content across ISSA’s portfolio of health and wellness education brands. With more than 20 years of experience in public relations and brand storytelling, Tami specializes in translating industry trends into clear, actionable insights that support aspiring and ISSA-certified personal trainers, health coaches, and nutrition professionals in building successful wellness careers. She is also an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University where she teaches in the College of Business.