I'm very disappointed in my last interaction with management staff at the Hood County YMCA. I was manipulated, disrespected, falsely accused of violating the rules, and not given opportunity to explain my side. Moreover, I was singled-out and unjustly barred from working out at the facility which I am a dues paying member of.
I was called into have a meeting by the Lisa (General Manager) and Holly (Associate Membership Manager). I've never as a member of any health club or gym facility been called to a meeting, and was quite confused as to the reason for it. I was told that they needed to discuss my membership with me. I inquired ad nauseam on what I was needed there for and finally I was advised that we were to discuss "member expectations." So that morning I walked in and the GM asked me to go into the office, I told her I was uncomfortable going into an office when I've no idea what it was pertaining to. I asked whether we could have the meeting a more public space such as in the gym floor or around it. She replied, "that's not how we have meetings here." I disagreed with her but reluctantly walked to the office. When I entered the office, I was received by a man in a suit with Holly, followed by Lisa. I asked if we could keep the door open and they would not allow this. So at this point I am feeling very very uncomfortable. I took a seat. The man introduced himself as a rep from HR corporate. I was extremely confused by his introduction as I am a member; not an employee (which I verbalized multiple times). He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to "discuss (my) personal training and was hoping that this meeting was to have a conversation with the intent to find an amicable solution." I shared that I was not providing personal training services at their facility. He interrupted and proceeded to say there is a perception of my doing so which is not acceptable.
Perceptions are not facts: perceptions are perceptions. Only facts are facts.
I again reiterated that I am not providing personal training services and told them directly that I was uncomfortable with this meeting. They continued to accuse me of personal training of other members and I continued to ask for clarification and evidence of such. They provided nothing other than stating they have observed me working out with other members. In the interest of transparency, I happen to be a personal trainer with over 25 years of experience. Notwithstanding, I was not providing personal training services to anyone. I shared with them that I was working out with my friends, as a member, with other fellow members--but that I was receiving no form of compensation. Hence, I was not providing personal training services to anyone.
Despite my objections to the contrary, they continued to assume me of wrongdoing. They stated, "you're a trainer, a well known trainer, and you are perceived as such." To everyone reading this, I would ask, "So what?" Being a well-known trainer (if that is in fact what I am) and being perceived as such, doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Additionally, it doesn't equate to me violating anything. I reminded them numerous times that I will always be perceived as a trainer because of my skillset and education. WHAT I AM is not the issue. I happen to be a trainer. I happen to be a Filipino/ minority. I happen to be a Christian. Why does any of this matter? The true issue is: the management team is vehemently accusing me of performing personal training services, in violation of what is allowed at the facility. This is not supported by evidence or reality. Not only is this allegation unfounded and not true, it's inflammatory because I'm being accused of wrongdoing. YMCA, I'm a member, not an employee, and you don't get to bully me for working out with other members.
I shared that as a member, I'd been feeling singled out and spyed upon through their inquiries to other members asking whether I was providing personal
training services. If you have to go around inappropriately involving members and asking whether I've been providing personal training services, you have no facts or evidence to substantiate your claim. The meeting became quite unproductive. When they were unable to share a reasonable explanation to my questions, they told me that the solution is a "cooling down period." I inquired as to what that meant, to which I didn't receive clarification. Finally I said, "let's be clear and not not sugarcoat this, you're banning me from the Y." The HR rep said, "Yes." Meeting over.
They told me that I am not a contributing member to this community and that I am not promoting a healthy atmosphere. I have been a paying member of the YMCA, just like I have been a paying member of numerous gyms across the country in the past. I have never in my life seen (or been treated with) such disrespect, vindictiveness, and hypocrisy in all the facilities I've been a member of. read more
