Paul Lejkowski (BKin ’03)

Paul Lejkowski (BKin ’03) is a Brock University kinesiology graduate who credits professors Maureen Connolly and David Gabriel for having positively affected his life and career path.  Lejkowski is the proud owner of Sport Balance & Nutrition in Burlington. He was recently chosen by Cambridge’s Who’s Who’s executive director of global branding and networking, Donald Trump Jr., as the 2011 Professional of the Year for the nutrition and fitness industry.

What attracted you to Brock University?

I attended Brock University because of all the positive feedback I had heard. Once here, I was astonished with the care and attention professors provided to each student. Brock educators would always make time for you.

What activities were you involved with at Brock?

I was a member of men’s volleyball team (under Jessie Knight as a coach) and I participated in many intramural activities. Intramurals was a great way to meet fellow Brock students, as my school work and involvement in varsity sports didn’t allow much time for a social life.

How has Brock changed your life?

The impact that Brock University had on my life is indescribable in one short paragraph. Meeting brilliant professors who were honoured in their professional fields was amazing. Through them I learned that anything is possible as long as you remain on your path and always look at the big picture.

What is the most rewarding part of your career?

The most rewarding part of my career has been helping people and making their lives healthier by educating them about healthy lifestyle.I credit my career path to Professor Maureen Connolly. Since taking Professor Connolly’s nutrition course, my vision and goals have changed. My initial dream to become a physiotherapist was not a dream anymore. Instead of helping people recover from injuries, I decided I wanted to help people prevent them and provide them with the tools they need to forever be healthy. Today, as a successful owner of self-started company, I’ve helped thousands of people change their lives. What’s most rewarding is hearing my clients’ stories of the impact they have made on their family and friends by simply sharing what I had taught them about healthy lifestyle.

What is your greatest professional achievement?

Without a doubt, aside from attaining several degrees and certificates in kinesiology, physiotherapy and advanced nutrition, my greatest professional achievement was receiving a phone call from Mr. Trump Jr. congratulating me on my accomplishments, dedication and passion I have brought to the fitness and nutrition industry. He called to let me know that I was a nominee for Fitness Professional of the Year. In March 2011, I was honoured as the recipient of the award.

What is your “other side of the brain”?

I have always been athletic so I’m constantly involved in sports. During the summer I like to join beach volleyball leagues and enjoy golfing with many of my clients whom I consider great friends. On the other side, I also love to read so that I can stay on top of my education and research. I suppose the hard learned habits from studying at Brock stuck with me.

What do you want most out of life?

I would like to change and improve as many lives as I can and continue to educate others to better their lives through the sound nutrition and training program that I have developed (SBN 90). I hope that my clients continue to take what I taught them to educate others. I’d be happy knowing that the knowledge I have imparted is making a difference in people’s lives.

What advice do you have for new graduates?

Nothing will give you more satisfaction in life knowing that you have set goals for yourself, pursued them, achieved them and surpassed them. “Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as their talents and intelligence can take them. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and opportunity will rarely rise above ordinariness.” (Taken from The Power of Discipline by Brian Tracy). In other words, it’s easy to do something when you feel like it. But it’s self-discipline that pushes you to do something when you don’t feel like it. This type of attitude will keep you on the right track and bring you closer to achieving your goals.

Lejkowski can be contacted at paul@sportbalance.net or 905-617-0171