Fourth Strength: Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer

Author: Coach Kevin Tamte CPT, PN, TFW

This journey lit a fire in me that I never expected. At first, I just wanted to get healthier, lose weight, and get stronger. But along the way, I discovered a passion for helping others do the same.

I started by getting my Training for Warriors certification so I could coach classes. That step alone changed my outlook. I realized I wanted to help people on a deeper level, so I went on to earn my Certified Personal Trainer credential. That allowed me to coach one-on-one and make an even bigger impact.

At first, I thought it would just be about building muscle and losing fat. But I quickly saw it was so much more. I got to help people regain independence after years of being limited. I watched parents play with their kids again. I saw grandparents say yes to adventures with their grandkids. I saw people rediscover what it feels like to truly live. That was more rewarding than I could ever have imagined.

This has changed my career and my life. After 25 years in construction, I made the shift into coaching full time. I do not regret it for a second. Every struggle I faced, losing weight, building strength, pushing through doubt; prepared me to coach with empathy and understanding. I know what it feels like to start over. I know what it means to step into the unknown.

Growth happens when you get uncomfortable. I have lived that truth. I have faced the wall, leaned into the challenge, and kept moving. That is what I want for everyone I coach. To see that they can do hard things. To know that they are stronger than they think.

I am just getting started. My mission now is to help as many people as I can build strength, confidence, and a life they are proud of.

Third Strength: Keeping the Weight Off

Author: Coach Kevin Tamte CPT, PN, TFW

Losing weight was a big step, but keeping it off became the real challenge. This is not a quick sprint. It is a long marathon. You cannot stop once you hit your goal. You have to keep working on your physical health, your mental health, your nutrition, and even your sleep.

I learned that food choices matter. You do not need to follow the latest diet. You need balance, consistency, and a plan that fits your life. I also learned that sleep is just as important. When you do not rest, your body holds on to stress, your hormones get out of rhythm, and your progress slows down. With the right nutrition and good sleep, your training works the way it should.

This takes support. Having a strong community makes the difference. People who check in on you, encourage you, and keep you accountable when you want to slip back into old habits. You cannot do this alone.

There will be ups and downs. You may gain a little weight back. I have my ups and downs also. The important part is not how perfect you are, but how fast you get back on track. Each time you reset, you grow stronger.

Keeping the weight off is about consistency, not perfection. It is about building a lifestyle that you can live with in the gym, at the table, and in how you rest at night. That is what makes this journey last.

Second Strength: Joining TFW

Author: Coach Kevin Tamte CPT, PN, TFW

After working with a coach and discovering how much I enjoyed lifting, things were moving in the right direction. I had momentum, structure, and growing confidence. But then came another turning point, one that would take everything even further.

My wife, who has supported me every step of this journey, saw an ad on Facebook for Training For Warriors (TFW). She asked if it was something I might want to try. Honestly, my first reaction was hesitation. “Training for Warriors?” The name alone sounded intense and intimidating. Could I really do something like that?

Still, I decided to give it a shot. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Joining TFW took the idea of “not doing this alone” to a whole new level. The coaches were invested in me. If I started to slip, they checked in. They didn’t let me fall through the cracks. Even more powerful was the community. The other students in class weren’t just faces in the room, they encouraged me, pushed me, and held me accountable.

The format made it easy to stay consistent. Classes fit my schedule. The programming was already laid out. All I had to do was show up and give my best. And because it was in a group setting, the energy in the room lifted me higher than I could have gone on my own.

But TFW is more than just workouts. It’s about building strength both inside and outside the dojo. Yes, the training challenged me physically, but it also prepared me mentally for the challenges of everyday life, the real battles we all face.

And that’s where the power of community shows itself. You can only go so far alone. At some point, the weight of doing it all by yourself becomes too much. But with a group of like-minded people beside you, the journey becomes lighter, and your growth multiplies.

Joining TFW showed me that strength isn’t just about muscles or numbers on the bar. It’s about mindset, accountability, and surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed.

If you’re stuck, hesitant, or unsure if you can take that next step, this is your reminder, you don’t have to do it alone. Find your team. Find your support. Take the leap. Because the right community can change everything.