JPEPJuly2008PowertoManage

The POWER to Manage Your Future
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Director, Exercise Physiology Laboratories
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811

On December 4, 2007 and on May 2, 2008 at St. Scholastica, 28 students passed the Board Certification for Exercise Physiologists. To those who do not understand the importance of this accomplishment, they should appreciate that the EPC exercise physiologists are held accountable to the ASEP Code of Ethics [1] and Standards of Professional Practice [2]. The ASEP organization [3] and The Center for Exercise Physiology_online [4] recognize these individuals as credible healthcare professionals. They are the first exercise physiologists in the history of exercise physiology to pass an exam that is linked directly to an accreditation process and/or a professional certification designed specifically for exercise physiologists. This is a distinction of major importance from such certifications as exercise specialists, health fitness instructor, or personal trainer [5].

Since 2000, the EPC exam has been offered in four cities: Albuquerque, NM, Indianapolis, IN, Memphis, TN, and Duluth, MN. Today, there are 204 EPCs. [6]. That number may sound small, but so are diamonds. By contrast, there are huge 5,000 lb rocks just a block from my house. Aside from the pure size, I am not impressed nor am I blindly excited about the 1000s of certified personal trainers. All I can think about is the pure quackery and fraud thrown upon society. Imagine your parents paying good money for a personal trainer with a weekend warrior certification to help them get into shape? It is a sad situation in the United States. Unfortunately, society has no idea that the majority of the personal trainers are not even college educated much less educated in the scientific aspects of exercise physiology.

The EPC offers the exercise physiologist the first-ever credible professional certification to responsibly manage a career in health, fitness, rehabilitation, and athletics [7]. It represents the "the power" to achieve success. This reason and others like it argue for supporting the ASEP organization. Hence, I would like to think that my work is a sensible solution to increased career opportunities with financial stability, credibility, and respect from colleagues. Believe it is important as I do, and it will be important. Believe it! Not because you have to, but because it is the truth. Never stop believing it. Above all, it depends on your attitude. Students don't have to graduate from mismanaged academic majors. They don't have to end up second class citizens with big tuition dollars to pay back.

But, to grow beyond yesterday's thinking takes the right attitude, discipline, and courage. The attitude that makes all the difference is one that begins with the saying, "I believe I can make a difference." It is all about believing in yourself, getting right with who you are and, therefore, demonstrating the self-esteem and confidence to take a stand for what is obviously the right course of action – ASEP! Understandably, this is not an easy transition to make, that is, from the rhetoric of sports medicine to the truths embedded in ASEP. If those of us in the ASEP organization reach out to help others in distress get plugged in, it can make all the difference in the world.

In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we find this definition of faith: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Just imagine the effects of a life of faith in our own abilities to make the difference. It all comes down to attitude and how we choose to think. When Hebrews tells us faith is "the assurance of things hoped for," it speaks of an attitude that shapes how we think. In other words, it is important to believe in ideas and the assurance of things hoped for even though others may laugh at them. Belief is everything; it is power to change things – like Roger Bannister who broke the four-minute mile barrier.

It is no accident that no other organization can claim title to being the professional organization of exercise physiologists in the United States. That organization is the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP). No other organization can or should try to create accreditation guidelines [8]. No other organization is or can be like ASEP. It is special, rare, and there is great value in it for all exercise physiologists. Yet, the paradox is that so many exercise physiologists at the doctorate level are members of ASEP. Surely, they can be sure of its existence since 1997, even in the face of obstacles it is still reaching and touching those who get it.

Unfortunately, as is true with most aspects of the change process, some people will always refuse to believe or to think differently. They hide behind sarcasm and fear. Not all will be this way though. They declare ASEP openly. Their past thinking no longer dulls their senses or blurs their hopes of something better. Rather, their hearts and eyes are open to the possibilities ASEP has for them. They see ASEP as "their" professional organization, like APTA for physical therapists and ADA for dietitians. Strangely enough, some of them wonder why it has taken so long to see through the sports medicine bull. Perhaps, it relates to the academic's biggest problem, "Who is he/she and what does he/she do?"

Certainly, the exercise physiologist, even with the doctorate degree, is not a physiologist. After all, to be educated is to understand the distinction of titles. Simply stated, a person cannot call himself a "physiologist" just because he has a PhD in exercise physiology. Similarly, a person cannot call herself a dietitian because she has academic coursework in sports nutrition. These are just two examples of a dozen or so statements as though they are "the truths" when actually they are 100% false statements. Another obvious one is when exercise science or kinesiology graduates call themselves exercise physiologists. It is a mess of considerable proportion, yet society has little understanding of it.

Without an academic degree in exercise physiology, it is impossible to be an exercise physiologist (i.e., unless the person sits for the EPC exam and passes it.). Does anyone really believe it is okay to simply assume the title, Exercise Physiologist, if that person has a degree in sports sciences? It is an amazingly basic concept. To bring all this up-to-date, it's not hard to see that exercise physiologists have even more reason to give ASEP their best shot. It has given us the best opportunity to professionalize exercise physiology. With faith in ASEP, we can do better. With ASEP, exercise physiologists can learn to abandon the assumed certainties of sports medicine, and to separate themselves with their illusions.

Power to manage your future comes from living a life of faith, even if it means being different. In some sense, ASEP is your "professional ark," which reminds me of a verse I read in Philippians 1:6 -- "Being confident in this one thing, that God, who has begun a good work in you, will complete it." Hence, exercise physiologists can commit themselves to a vision of professionalism in exercise physiology when built on the foundation of the ASEP vision [9] and mission [7]. There is nothing wrong with a vision of excellence, hope, and possibilities. If inventors had listened to the jibes and jokes of their colleagues, they would easily have been overwhelmed. Leaders have to be just that – leaders!

The problem before exercise physiologists is that the subject of "leadership" has been of little value or importance, given their work primarily in sports training studies. For the most part, then, is it any wonder that so few exercise physiologists seem to take part in leadership development within exercise physiology. They are stalled before they start by their association with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). It will be decades before these exercise physiologists figure out that they are on a ship without a port. The only logical answer is to find the good qualities among those who are willing to consider the positive-thinking that underlies the ASEP organization.

It is true that ACSM has been in business of sports medicine since 1954. It is true that organization is well-known and respected as a generic organization of membership from many different professions. By contrast, ASEP has been in the business of professsionalism of exercise physiology for only 10 years. But, all of its leadership perspective is 21st century thinking driven by ethical thinking, leadership development, and credibility of all exercise physiologists as healthcare professionals.

The question is this: Do you understand that "your power" to manage "your future" lies in how hard you are willing to work on behalf of ASEP? Greatness is achieved by discipline and tenacity of purpose [10]. ASEP leaders are doing everything they can to see that exercise physiology survives as a credible, collective body of professionals. They have committed themselves to calling into action what is necessary to raise exercise physiology from the exercise specialist or personal trainer way of thinking. It is time that all exercise physiologists take a chance and come together in a worthy cause.

Think for a moment. What are the implications of what change actually means to students? A better future and a better strategy for career success to begin with; that is, if you believe ASEP has the plan for the professionalism of exercise physiology. To help with your analysis, why not refer to the following books:

Obviously, exercise physiologists can sit back and let destiny shape their lives or they can get involved in ASEP and shape their own future. It is a matter of choice. There is one thing you can do to help with the struggle to take charge of your life, and that is read one or more of the books. Most college and university libraries have them on their shelves, so this is not about selling books. Anyone who has published books understands this point all too well. They are listed here not because I wrote them, but in faith that the books will be of some help in your willingness to engage the ASEP organization in shaping the professionalism of exercise physiology.

Power to manage your future begins in part with determining your own destiny by thinking you can shape your future. But, remember, once you begin, "never say quit." Never lose your nerve, regardless of the comments and indifference from colleagues [11]. It is up to you. In the end, your willingness to do what you can with what you have where you are will ensure your future. Power comes from within! Think about it. Your personal power is the difference between success and failure. It is your faith and your perseverance that is the power needed to influence the change process. Faith and perseverance are invincible. Ray Kroc [12] understood this all too well with the following saying:

Press On: Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.