From NFL Athlete to Personal Fitness Expert

MEET GEORGE

Growing up in Los Angeles, George Farmer was a known force to be reckoned with both on the field and the court. A dynamic multi-sport athlete, George excelled in basketball, baseball, track and field, and especially, football which garnered him recognition as the #1 wide receiver in the country and a scholarship to University of Southern California. George then embarked on a professional journey to the NFL playing for the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. His football career later came to a close by a myriad of persistent injuries and thus, George embarked on what strongly became his passion of personal training and mentorship.

Committed to his goals and desire to create a positive and enduring impact on the world, George transitioned into the fitness industry, leveraging two decades of athletics experience and technical expertise. Today, George is the founder of Farmhouse Athletics and pays it forward by coaching individuals to achieve their health and wellness goals, extending his guidance beyond physical fitness to include mindset mindfulness.

Q: “Let's dive into the basics. What inspired your decision to become a personal fitness trainer?”

George: “When I had got done playing pro football after an onset of injuries, I was bitter about the sport, so I tried to drift away from it. I went on to work as a financial advisor and took on a few other jobs, but I wasn’t feeling fulfilled in what I was doing. Then, I was approached by a gym to do personal training. Even though I had tried to push back on the idea of getting involved in the athletic industry again, life sort of brought me back to it. It’s what I know best. Athletics has made up a majority of my life so it made sense to me to continue pursuing my passion, but in a different way – Now I get to help others pursue their dreams and transform their lives for the better.”

Q: "How would you describe your training approach at Farmhouse Athletics?"

George: “I have always been a very active guy and I understand how the body works and moves. I am confident in my technical abilities and leadership but most importantly, I love to help motivate others. I’m a people’s person. I like to bring fun energy to the gym and field and create a non-judgemental, welcoming environment for my clients. I want to see the people around me smiling and bettering themselves. That’s why I love what I do.”

Q: “How did you determine your niche in training?”

George: “I started out training people between the ages of 30-60 years old who either had weight loss goals or struggled with limited mobility. Through my personalized fitness plans and strength training techniques, my clients started to see results. Next thing I knew, I was getting more and more referrals. Then, I knew I had a knack for this. This is when I branched back out to strength and agility training for athletes.”

Q: “What do you find is the biggest hurdle for your clientele?”

George: “Staying consistent. Life happens and it can deter people from sticking to their goals. I always like to do weekly check-ins or before and after photos when things get stagnant. This helps my clients develop accountability which is probably the most important characteristic of achieving results. I always try to encourage them to stick to their scheduled routine and stay consistent with it. When we acknowledge the little wins, they will always turn into big wins.”

Q: “To put it simply, what gets you up in the morning?”

George: “Honestly, ambition gets me up in the morning. I want to be great. I want to accomplish great things. And I want to empower people around me to do the same. I think that life has made me that way.”

Q: “How has ‘life made you that way’?”

George: “When I think back, I have been through a lot with sports and injuries. It was rough for me in college. I could always see a long-term career in the NFL and that’s where I thought my life was heading. So when it got cut short, I thought life was pretty bad. Thankfully, I was able to bounce back and accomplish many things since. Really, my trials and tribulations have built the foundation for my ambition. That lights the fire under me to get where I want to go.”

Q: “Talking about getting up in the morning, do you have a daily routine?”

George: “I get to the gym pretty early, so every morning I start my day with a hot shower. I’ve had enough ice baths in my life that I’ll take a hot shower any time I can get it. (Any athlete can relate, right?) Then, I meditate on my car ride to work. Obviously, not with my eyes closed. But I get my mind right on the car ride with no music. I tell myself affirmations, gratitudes, and things that I look forward to - out loud. I love to just unplug for a little and start my day with positivity. This puts me in a good mindset for the rest of the day. Usually after work, I’ll listen to podcasts or read books to educate myself on topics I find interesting. I am always looking to improve my education inside and outside of the gym.”

Q: "What are your usual recommendations when guiding clients toward achieving weight loss goals?"

George: “I always tell my clients 3 important points:
1. Prioritize a nutritious and balanced diet.
2. Establish a structured and consistent gym routine.
3. Incorporate weight training 2-3 times per week, along with cardio.

Q: "What background do you have in coaching athletes?"

George: “Well, I specialize in agility and strength, and most of my expertise has been training athletes across all different phases of their career. I train athletes across all sports, but mainly baseball, football, basketball, and track and field. For baseball players for example, we’ll work on rotational, oblique, and single-sided movements, whereas for football, we’ll work on muscle hypertrophy movements and muscle fiber recruitment for speed. It differs per sport, so being able to multi-versed as a trainer is essential.”