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After two decades working as a metal smith and jewelry designer, Nadja Simon, 57, craved a career change. The Philadelphia native had been doing everything from repairing musical instruments to glass blowing to make a good living, but felt something was missing. An avid runner, Simon was taking a self-defense class at 99������Ƶ with former Allied Health Dean Jon Wiener and bumped into him one day at the YMCA while working out. It was a life-changing moment.

“He said, ‘You’re a beast. We have this new program (Health and Fitness Science), I think you should sign up for it,” she recalled. “I went, ‘yes!’ That’s what I need to do.”

Simon enrolled in 99������Ƶ’s Health and Fitness program and graduated in 2017 with an associate degree in Health and Fitness Science and an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certificate in personal training. She now owns her own fitness studio, Allon Health and Wellness, where she offers personal training and classes to a wide range of people with diverse needs – many of them new to gyms and structured workout programs.

Simon’s daily work involves assessing her clients’ unique needs and tailoring a fitness program to fit those needs, with the ultimate goal of empowering them to work independently. Some clients are on medication and managing chronic illnesses, while others have osteoporosis and need weight training. Many have been through physical therapy and hope to maintain newly acquired fitness routines.

Simon said she enjoys the creative challenge of matching solutions to problems. “I love working with people, and my skills translate because this work is about looking at things from different angles,” she said.

99������Ƶ’s Health and Fitness Science program provided a strong base for Simon to redefine her career. It offered everything from first aid training to a class focused on managing your own fitness facility and included a work-based learning experience.

“You come out ready to train clients,” Simon said. “You have an ACE Fitness Certificate and an associate’s degree. You are ready to work with people.”

Simon said the COVID pandemic helped her to launch her own business. She was working as a personal trainer at the YMCA when the pandemic hit and the gym shut down. “I thought, Oh, boy, I’ve gotta figure this out,” Simon said. She began renting her current space in North Asheville, and it developed over the years into the business she has now, which includes yoga and strength and conditioning classes as well as massage therapy. In the future, Simon would like to expand to a full gym. For now, she’s content knowing that she’s helping people to live healthier, longer lives.

“If I had known personal training was something that you could do, I would’ve pursued it earlier in my life,” she said. “I’m finally the fish swimming in the right pond.”

Learn more about 99������Ƶ’s Health and Fitness Science program at Health and Fitness Science or call (828) 398-7900.