Making a dramatic career shift can be daunting, but for Aidan Buhagiar, leaving behind a flourishing legal career to become a personal trainer was a necessary leap of faith. In an interview with WhosWho.mt, Dr Buhagiar shared his journey from legal professional to personal trainer, including the internal and external challenges that this mammoth change brought with it.
Dr Buhagiar recalls that when choosing to study law, the decision did not come from an affinity to the legal profession, instead it came from uncertainty as to what profession he should pursue. The legal profession never truly ignited his passion.
Right from the first month, he knew that the subject wouldn’t excite him. He pushed ahead anyway, and after six years of blood, sweat and tears at the University of Malta, he graduated as a lawyer.
Dr Buhagiar then joined GlobalCapital plc (now LifeStar Insurance plc) as Legal and Compliance Officer, before joining the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) as Analyst within the Enforcement Unit just seven months later. Over a year into his new role, he was appointed Manager within the authority’s Legal and International Relations Unit and Data Protection Officer.
However, by December 2017, he had grown extremely frustrated at his job. Despite societal expectations and family excitement, he found himself yearning for something more fulfilling. And, after experiencing burnout and frustration in his legal roles, he knew it was time for a change.
“I told myself that I couldn’t continue living my life this way, and I felt that it wouldn’t make sense for me to spend Sundays on the verge of tears because of work, only to then experience the dreaded Monday blues, constantly working for the next Friday,” he said.
With no concrete plan in place, he took a leap of faith in January 2018, leaving his job to explore new possibilities. He handed in his notice in the first week of the year, to the shock of his team, who were unaware of his feelings as he always tried to bottle up his emotions.
“It was not an easy decision, because I didn’t have a plan and didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was constantly thinking about postponing the decision, but I opted to hand it in on a Monday because it was the day when I normally felt most motivated to get something like this over and done with,” Dr Buhagiar remarked.
Supported by his savings and a desire for personal growth, he delved into various interests, including potentially entering the music scene as he plays piano, drums and bass guitar, before ultimately pursuing fitness. Dr Buhagiar was also in the lucky position of having no major commitments at the time, having no loans, children and living with his parents.
“Was it an ideal situation? No, but I felt that I had no other alternative,” he said.
Driven by his lifelong love for sports and fitness, Dr Buhagiar embraced a new career path as a fitness instructor. Overcoming challenges and societal pressure, he found solace in pursuing his passion for health and wellness.
“Society destroys you mentally. People would ask me: How can you throw away six years of your life studying? Are you certain that this is the right decision? These are all words that will lead to one feeling worse about their decision,” Dr Buhagiar added.
Dr Buhagiar has been into fitness since his childhood, having taken part in various sport and also competed at a national level when it comes to Olympic wrestling, up until the age of 24. He took up going to the gym on a regular basis, and in 2018 also started to prioritise nutrition, a change he described as “possibly the second most important” after his career change.
While assessing his career options, he spotted a certificate by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) online and decided to go for it. “I was a bit overwhelmed at first because I was overconfident. Since I had already graduated in law, I thought this would be easy. But it was far from the case, especially since I didn’t have a background in biology,” he noted.
“2018 was without a doubt the most crucial year in my life. I had the opportunity to learn more about myself and discover what I really wanted. I feel that the concept of a gap year is instrumental to life, yet unfortunately it isn’t so common in Malta,” Dr Buhagiar affirmed.
Aidan Buhagiar (left) with one of his clients, his own mother! / Facebook
Despite the uncertainty and criticism, Dr Buhagiar's mental health flourished in his newfound profession. He emphasised the importance of following one's passion and prioritising mental well-being above societal expectations.
“My mental health improved mainly because I am genuinely really into nutrition, fitness, and health. If you want to do something you love, you’ll be ready to sacrifice a lot more,” he continued.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr Buhagiar highlighted the need for self-assessment and determination for anybody considering a career change. He encouraged individuals to evaluate their circumstances and pursue change if it aligns with their goals and values.
Dr Buhagiar shares that ultimately, lessons learned from his experience studying law and working in the profession are being applied to his new life experiences. One key lesson taken from his previous life is the importance of being a good communicator and acting in a professional manner. Additionally, he adds, setting up rules, structure and boundaries are a good thing, especially as a self-employed person where you are your own boss.
Dr Buhagiar remarked that the door is always open for him to return to the legal sector, maybe tied to areas which are of more interest to him. However, he cannot imagine himself in a “classic office job,” and so does not think that he will be returning anytime soon.
As he continues to thrive in the fitness industry, Dr Buhagiar remains open to new opportunities while staying true to his passion. His story serves as a reminder that with courage and perseverance, doors will always open to new possibilities.
“Doors will always open in life. I can never say that I will stay working in fitness for all of my life, as it all depends on my current circumstances and what opportunities come my way. If an opportunity comes which makes sense financially and doesn't bore me to death, I can never completely say that I won’t take it.”
