The TrueCoach team continues to grow! This week we’d like to introduce you to Emilie Hester, full-stack web developer, former gym owner, and the latest addition to TrueCoach.
How did you first get into Software Development?
Growing up I was constantly following my computer nerd older brother around wanting to do whatever he was doing, even when that included things like using his Commodore 64 to try to hack into the public library. He’s who cultivated my deep and lasting love of technology.
I built my first bulletin board system in middle school, my first website in high school, and got my BS in Visual Communication Design with an emphasis in Web Development. I ran my BBS from the children’s phone line at our house until my dad caught on and made me shut it down.
Where are you from originally? What brought you to Boulder?
I’m originally from Indiana, though Bellingham, Washington was home for most of the last 10-years.
I’ve known I’ve wanted to live in Colorado since my dad first took my sister and I skiing out here when we were kids. I have the most vivid memory of sitting out under the stars in a hot tub with the snow falling and aspens surrounding us. My little 7-year-old heart was all aflutter and I knew I belonged here. It just took a few years, quite a bit of life, and TrueCoach to get me here.
What made you decide to join the team at TrueCoach?
Quite honestly, TrueCoach had me at “hello.”
TrueCoach feels like the culmination of so many of my life passions rolled into one. I spent 15-years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, gym director, and the last 9 of those years as a gym owner. I intimately know the highs and lows that come with committing your vocational life to helping others become their best selves.
I am also a huge nerd, lover of the mountains, good-hearted people and of building things that matter. TrueCoach checks all of the boxes.
What do you hope to accomplish while at TrueCoach?
I want to take what I have learned as a gym owner and coach, especially the pain points I’ve experienced along the way, and help build and refine a set of tools that allow other gym owners and coaches to create more fulfilling and sustainable careers for themselves.
What’s your favorite part about working at TrueCoach so far?
I have a few favorite parts…
- The work itself – it’s equally challenging and rewarding
- Seeing how much our customers love our app and how much benefit they get from using it
- Our awesome workspace (the grown-up’s table, La Croix fridge, garage door, the lounge, easy access to OPEX Boulder)
- Our weekly exercise tally board
- My amazing teammates
We recently started this friendly competition to see who can get the most reps of the given exercise each week. And by “friendly competition” I mean that I’ve started choosing my work outfits based on their ability to let me maximize my performance in the given exercise and I may or may not have workmates that are staying late to pad their rep count after everyone else is gone 😉
What are your 10 must-have apps?
What tool or technology has been a complete game changer for you in the last 5-years?
The iPhone 7+‘s camera. It’s so good that I’ve nearly stopped using my Fuji XT1.
What’s your go-to text editor or IDE? Tabs or spaces?
VS Code. Tabs (two spaces per).
What does your work setup look like?
- 34″ LG Ultrawide monitor
- 13″ MacBook Pro resting on a Roost Stand
- Apple Magic Keyboard + Apple Magic Trackpad 2
- 10.5″ iPad Pro + Apple Pencil
- Duet App + Ten1 Design’s Mountie if I’m working away from my desk
- Ikea standing desk w/ Autonomous Ergochair 2
- Midori Traveler’s Journal w/ Baron Fig Squire pen
- Close proximity to the LaCroix fridge
So happy to see Emily doing so well! She will be the best decision fit-bot has ever made! She’s dearly missed in Bellingham! Hopefully one day my wife and I can come visit!
Glad you have found something so fulfilling Emilie! They are lucky to have you!