Today’s Notable Young Professional is Montreal-based fitness trainer and model Drea Wheeler. We caught up with her to learn more about what inspires her and find out what advice she would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
Ha! I do a LOT. I am the Health Club Director at Victoria Park in Westmount but when I am not pushing my team to All-Star rankings, I dabble in modeling for international campaigns (I have a pretty cool gig).
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
Happiness was my inspiration. I studied criminology and law but decided to pursue my other passion – health and fitness. Being an All-American in Track and Field back at home made it a pretty easy transition.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
I am lucky enough to witness small milestones every day with clients but my biggest milestone was becoming 1 of 50 most influential women of color in North America. I cried…
4. Where do you see yourself in five years, 10 years, 20 years?
In five to 20 years, hopefully sooner, I hope to be the face of health and fitness in Canada. My dream is to be able to touch lives all around Canada and make us the healthiest country… I believe I can do it!
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Never give up. I moved to this country from Texas on my own with a goal. Little by little I am obtaining it… if I can do it, YOU can do it!
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I started working with a few recently (Beauty and Beast, GoalMTL) but the one that I have been working with for years is Montreal Community Cares. They are all involved in encouraging our youth to get active and build their self-esteem while doing so. As a Quebec Youth Ambassador, it hits close to home.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Closing my first business. It was a hit to my ego but with doing that I learned how to succeed in the business that I am in today. My lesson: learn from your mistakes.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
To me, it means I am moving in the right direction… someone somewhere believes in my vision and brand. It gives me the momentum to keep pushing forward.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
Rubs! Best Texas BBQ in town… I love it so much I made sure I bought a house close to it. Lol #noshame
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Wesbite: vicpark.com/studio (no lie I just checked) lol
Most played song: Needed Me by Rihanna (actually playing it right now)
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Michelle Obama… she is amazing and funny.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Favorite Country: USA. Nothing like going back home
Next travel place: Nigeria in a week for a family wedding #shakmatic2016
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Any event that has good food. #nojoke
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Chocolate chip cookies (hot out of the oven) and burgers all day!
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Fitness clothes. I am sponsored by so many companies and yet I am still buying them. I wish I spent more money on… NOTHING. I need to save my money.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success means freedom to me. The ability to pick up, leave and work from wherever you want to… whenever you want to. Loving what you do so much that it no longer feels like work.