My own journey into the ranks of the fitness industry started at the age of 39 with a promise I made to myself to share the success I had battling type 2 diabetes. That success gave me the drive and a perspective I wanted to share with others. I transitioned from a 10-year run in the high-tech software industry to personal training in 2007. Here are lessons I learned and tips I share with many exam candidates who are also making a career change.