Winning Factor founder JOHN R. SCHAEFFER has been in the fitness business for more than 40 years, first as a competitor himself and, in recent years, as an in-demand trainer for all kinds of athletes, both amateur and pro. While his roster of clients includes sports luminaries like Olympic gold medalist speed skater Apolo Ohno and world welterweight champion boxer Kermit Cintron, Schaeffer also enjoys helping his fellow Berks Countians stay in shape in his Cumru Township gym. He is also an author, teacher, and admitted workaholic, but Schaeffer explains he likes it that way because his work–helping people achieve their dreams–gives him joy.
Q | How did you become a fitness expert?
I’ve been doing it my whole life. I started out as an athlete; I was a world champion weightlifter and kickboxer who’d devised my own training plans. People started coming to me for advice and it was then that I realized I didn’t really know what I was doing. I was doing well for myself but didn’t have the expertise to formulate plans for others. I went back to school and now hold multiple certifications in fields like nutrition, fitness training and weight management. I also teach sports science and have for the last 30 years. I’m still my own client; I have 8 percent body fat at 60 years old, so I continue to practice what I preach.
Q | With such an impressive list of clients, does the Winning Factor also work with the average person who’s looking to get in shape?
Yes, definitely. It’s really rewarding to work with people just starting to get fit. So is the work we do with local high school and college athletes. We worked with 12 kids on the winning Wyomissing [high school] football team, and also train other young competitors in all sports who are looking for scholarships. Helping people meet their goals is my mission.
Q | Making dreams come true can be a lot of pressure, so how do you relax when you have some down time?
I like to fish when I can and I’ve been all over the world to do it–in places like Costa Rica and Hawaii. I don’t get a lot of free time for it, however, and my real recreation comes from my athletes, getting them where they want to be. When I was coming up I thought it was all about me, but I got 26 world records under my belt and it wasn’t enough. I almost left the industry but then I got involved in training other people–athletes and people losing weight–and it’s the best feeling. I get more emotional satisfaction from seeing someone achieve a goal than winning myself or breaking records. Sometimes it takes getting older to see things clearly.
Q | Speaking of age, is it ever too late for someone to start a fitness routine?
No, it’s never too late. It’s all about making small changes. It’s too overwhelming to jump in with both feet, so I say start by changing breakfast. Then, when that’s part of the routine, add physical activity. When those two things have become the new, permanent way of life, change lunch. Before you know it, it’s a lifestyle change. People must give themselves time to adjust; dramatic change is stressful and hard to maintain.
Q | Stress is an issue for most of us, and you must be under a lot of it at times; how do you manage your stress level?
I don’t know how to describe some of my stress. Working with someone like Apolo, who has a team of coaches around him and big goals, with fans and their expectations–it creates a lot of pressure. There are a lot of people looking to me to make it happen and they’ll be upset if I let them down. Fortunately, I haven’t. The same is true when I consult on big projects, like working with Clint Eastwood on the film Million Dollar Baby, so I try to take time out when I can. My guys help me to unwind too–they take care of me sometimes. For my birthday, Apolo and some of my clients from the NFL took me to the Poconos for a week-long getaway, which was a blast. Ultimately, I’m still looking for balance–like most of us. I’d never change my life, however, because I love what I do.
Check out the Winning Factor online at winningfactor.com
BY MICHELLE E. BIGGERSTAFF | PHOTO BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS
