By GABRIELLE MARTIN, Staff Reporter.
Tim Daly’s road to success began with his own life style change – from the kid who was teased about his weight to personal trainer and owner of Saginaw Valley Sports Performance.
“I was always the short, fat kid,” says Daly, “All of grade school I was always the short, fat kid.”
Once Daly got to Nouvel Catholic Central High School in Saginaw, he participated in a wide range of sports – from football to wrestling and even skiing. After college, Daly wasn’t sure what career field he wanted to pursue so he took some general education classes at Delta.
“One day in college I got out of the shower and looked in the mirror and thought ‘Wow.’” As happens to many college students, Daly had gained some weight. “A buddy of mine and I went and got a gym membership that day.”
A year later, Daly was enrolled in the personal trainer program at Delta College. Daly did an internship at Total Sports Complex in Wixom, Mich, where he started a personal training program after graduating from Delta College in the spring of 2003.
After working there for a couple of years, Daly wanted to move back to Saginaw and decided to open his own business.
“Everything just kind of seemed to line up and work out for the best,” says Daly. Saginaw Valley Sports Performance opened in June of 2006.
The perks of owning his own business come with big responsibilities.
“Whether you fail or succeed, it’s all dependent upon you,” says Daly. With a wife and two kids, he says it can be challenging figuring out how to balance his business and his family; but giving up some responsibilities to his employees isn’t always easy either.
“This is my baby,” he says.
The business, which offers both personal training and group training, started with just family and friends coming, but the news about his business spread quickly through word of mouth. Now almost nine years later, some of his first clients are still with him.
“I ask them why they still come to me,” says Daly, “They know what exercises to do. They say I make it a little more fun for them and keep them accountable.”
To those who are thinking of changing their lifestyle, Daly has some advice.
“Just get up and start with what you can do…Even if you’re starting with just going out for a walk once in a while – but start with something.”
