Sasha Bussard's Rise as a Bodybuilding Specialist and Master Trainer

In the world of fitness, finding a trainer who is not only knowledgeable but also passionate and dedicated can be a game-changer. Sasha Bussard, a certified Master Trainer via the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), embodies these qualities and more. Her journey from a fitness enthusiast to a respected trainer was built on the foundation of her commitment to excellence and continuous learning.

A Transformative Journey

Sasha’s fitness journey began after having three children. "I was looking to get back in shape after I had my first child and then a year later, I had twins," Sasha recalls. She initially followed online trainers and their advice, but this approach led to injuries and health issues. "I kept getting hurt from the bad advice and I fainted from following a low carb diet that I was suggested. I wanted serious results. I had an ideal image of how I wanted to be, and I was getting nowhere;" she shares. This experience was a turning point for Sasha, prompting her to take control of her fitness education. "I knew it was time to get myself educated because there's no one I can trust more than myself."

Her decision to become a Master Trainer was driven by her desire to be the best trainer she could be. "I wanted to be a Master Trainer, I wanted to be taken seriously and have the education to prove how serious I was. Helping not only me get the results I was looking for but my clients as well. I wanted to have a good understanding of fitness as a whole. A regular personal trainer certification would have left me with tons of questions still," Sasha explains. She started with transforming herself and then extended her knowledge to help her family and friends, achieving impressive results without ever working for a gym. "Something that helped my training style is my strive for perfection. People started noticing my transformation plus those I trained. People were also intrigued by the intensity of my workouts and then they've come up to me asking me to train them now," she says. This organic growth of her client base is a testament to her skills and the results she delivers.

The Impact of the Bodybuilding Specialist Certification

A cornerstone of Sasha’s education was the ISSA’s Bodybuilding Specialist Certification. "The bodybuilding specialist was really helpful for a foundation of information. I feel like that course helped me know how to build a guide in general," Sasha notes. This certification provided her with a comprehensive understanding of muscle building, which she could adapt for different fitness goals, whether for strength training or endurance. "You need to build or maintain muscle for any fitness goal. Including healthy weight loss and strength training.”

Sasha's advice for aspiring trainers is straightforward: take advantage of the ISSA resources and support systems. "I would advise people to really take advantage of the student support available via email. I used this resource extensively, asking questions repeatedly until I fully understood the material," she emphasizes.

Sasha also highlights the value of the ISSA Facebook group, where students can share insights and support each other. "I feel like the ISSA courses provide great tips on the best ways to train people, and I appreciate their straightforward approach. They simplify the information, making it easy to understand," she explains.

Looking Forward: Future Goals and Aspirations

Her journey with ISSA began in 2022, starting with the Bodybuilding Specialist course. "I thought it was really cool and wanted to bring back that intense kind of training from the old days," Sasha recalls. Her passion for learning led her to complete several other certifications, including Personal Training, Corrective Exercise, Glute Specialist, Nutritionist, Online Coach, and Exercise Recovery Specialist. Sasha’s dedication to her education is evident as she continues to pursue new certifications. "I want to have them all. I feel accomplished when I earn the actual certification, even though I could just buy the books," she explains.

Today, at 24 years old Sasha is training clients at $100/hr and points out, “don’t define your worth by other people’s viewpoints.” She is confident in her abilities to transform a variety of clients. 

“There are personal trainers with years more experience but with much less desirable results for their clients,” she explained. “When first becoming a trainer, I saw a lot of people say to charge less for your first couple of years training. But I knew I spent the extra time in and outside of the gym learning and was able to give the results people were looking for in good time.” Her client base is diverse, ranging from children to older adults both men and women and she trains both in-person and online. 

Looking ahead, Sasha aims to create an online guide for people to obtain from anywhere and expand her presence on social media. She is also keen on exploring brand partnerships in the fitness industry. "I have had many brand deals on the nutrition side. I want to get more into social media posting more often and sharing workouts," she says.

Sasha Bussard’s journey with ISSA has not only transformed her own life but also the lives of her clients. Her advice to others? "Really take advantage of the ISSA support team and resources. If you want to help people, you need to understand what you're doing." Sasha is a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication, education, and a genuine desire to help others.