My journey with sports, exercise and fitness has been a string of crazy opportunities. Being the youngest of 5, I was challenged everyday; anything that was a game was a competition. I played all kinds of sports in high school because I enjoyed the games, but also because my school was so small; if I didn’t play we wouldn’t have enough people to make a team. Volleyball ended up being one of my favorites; I made the New Zealand national team when I was 15, and for the next 3 years I competed in a few tours and competitions in Asia, Australia and NZ. One of the players in the NZ team was being scouted to play college ball in the USA; she needed film to send and so she had organized a pick-up game. The scout getting film asked me after the game if I ever wanted to go to America and play college volleyball, and if so to email him. Sure enough, when my mum found out she said, “You’re going.” I chose to go to Illinois State University and play D1 Volleyball. I had a great 4 years traveling to different states and playing some awesome teams. We ended my senior year undefeated, winning the Missouri Valley Conference and I finished my college career losing to Wisconsin in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.
During my senior year, I lost my father to cancer, so the Spring of my senior year I decided to look out-of-state for an internship and a fresh start. I was looking for somewhere sunny, somewhere different, and somewhere I would be well educated, busy and away from all the things that reminded me of the sadness that happened that year. When I came across Fitness Quest 10, I had no idea how this little gym would have such a huge impact on my life. The truth is, I had applied to 5 different internships, all good opportunities and in awesome places, but I said to myself that the first place that calls me back is the place I am going. So thank you Ryan for calling back 1st and for giving me such a great opportunity to meet people who have changed my life. I am thankful for the FQ10 team and clients who have shared their lives with me and taken me in as part of your family, know that I appreciate you all.
Stacey Niao
Fitness Quest 10 Personal Trainer
Leave a Reply