Bacari Bascombe: From finance to fitness

Thirty-five year old, Bacari Bascombe took an interesting journey to his current career, which led him from the halls of banking to the front of an exercising class. Currently, he is a fitness trainer at Surfside Wellness Centre, one of the top gyms in Barbados. Bacari spoke to The  Barbados Advocate about his journey, his role as a fitness trainer and how his past experiences have shaped his character.

 

Growing up in a close knit family, Bacari had a typical upbringing, attending St. Alban’s Infants and Junior School and later transitioning to the Combermere School. He explained that he always had an interest in fitness as he led an active lifestyle when he was younger. He said that he was always involved in the sports  – football, field hockey, track and field and basketball.

 

Although Bacari liked to have his fun on the field, he always made time for his academics. He said that his true love was Biology and he was also a fan of English Literature. However, after his graduation from secondary school, he attended the University of West Indies, Cave Hill. He focused on Finance and Banking and pursued a career in this field.

 

“My career path was anything but a straight line. But what it did do was show me that I much prefer a life helping and interacting with people than crunching numbers and doing reports. But many of the lessons there were fundamental in making me understand how to deal with life’s challenges. Many late nights and deadlines help build character,” he stated.

 

Eventually, Bacari moved on from banking and focused on fitness, one of his early interests. In 2009, he was crowned “King of Fitness” when he won the Mr. Caribbean Barbados Competition which was held at the Boatyard.

 

“It’s always amazing getting ready to compete in any competition. Your fellow competitors are going to bring their best. You want to be at your best and make all those people who support you proud,” revealed Bacari.

 

He added that competition of any type taught him a lot about himself as well as discipline, dedication, sacrifice.

 

“You definitely can’t do it on your own. And I think I have the best team of friends and family around me. In fact, let’s just call them all family.” 

 

In addition to being a fitness trainer, he is a certified lifestyle and weight management coach at Surfside. He referred to his colleagues, fellow trainers as “amazing” and his passion and committment are evident by the personal goals he has set within his job. 

 

Bacari said that he aims to add quality years of life to anyone who signs up for the gym as well as show members how they can become healthier individuals through proper exercise programming and nutrition.

 

“My interactions with persons allow me to see them come into the gym with limited capabilities and issues as it relates to the body moving and functioning properly, and through gaining their trust and their consistent training and dedication seeing that same person do things they never thought they would be able to do. It’s truly an awesome experience,” he said. 

 

As a fitness trainer, Bacari works closely with the Barbadian population and he can see first hand the health problems which the country faces.

 

“Everything is based on what gratification the individual is getting from an activity. So the Barbadian brain has to understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. No policy, teaching, incentive, or what another person says can make you do something unless you feel good about doing it,” he stated.

 

Bacari loves his job and he loves helping others.  In the future, he plans to continue in this field by pursuing a nutrition certification and a strength and conditioning, coaching certification. He also said he would like to be one of the leading and most recognized members in his field.  Although dedicated to his job, he looks forward to spending more time with his beautiful daughter and family.