Since I left the 9-5 world of public relations I’ve found myself wondering if I’d ever feel like I was on “a path” again. I know that’s a terrible way of looking at life, especially because life is what happens when you aren’t trying to forge a path and “figure things out” (amiright?) But since I finally feel like I have a handle on where my life is going, I’d love to share it with you all. After all, you guys have been the BEST lately. For real. Never in a million years did I think that people who I’d never physically met before could be so supportive. This blog has truly been a gift to me for the past year.
So what am I up to?
I have officially begun the NASM program to become a certified personal trainer!
For the past few years I’ve felt this pull to help people through fitness. I’ve always known that I wouldn’t be happy in life if I wasn’t making a difference somehow. When I was 15 I was convinced I would join the Peace Corps and in college I thought I’d become a journalist to help educate people about the injustices that happen every day in our country and around the globe. But ever since I discovered my passion for fitness and health I’ve realized that the “change” I want to make doesn’t have to be on a huge scale.
Six months ago I was on the elliptical at my then-gym and I watched as a timid, overweight, middle-aged woman met her personal trainer for the first time, a mid-20s fitness buff whose muscles were bursting out of his frat tank with the gym’s name written all over it like a walking ad. I remember watching their interaction and seeing how he barely looked at her, just trotted her over to the scale, asked her to step on, wrote it down, and walked away. The look on her face…..I just remember thinking: this woman is trapped. She wants to be healthy, she wants a support system, a friend, a health confidante, someone with some goddamn empathy, and all she got was a “trainer” who saw her as another number.
I am lucky enough that I discovered the benefits of an active life early: you have more confidence, you feel like there is nothing holding you back from any physical activity (want to hike up that mountain? no problem!), you are inspired to cook healthy and colorful meals, and you don’t turn down social activities because you’re anxious about how you appear to other people and you don’t want a little extra weight to define you. I want to share that with other people. I want to become a personal trainer, develop relationships with clients, and then, eventually, teach group fitness classes. I know that not only will I feel great by helping people, but this will help my confidence as well.
I should have my certification by Thanksgiving, and then I’ll start looking for opportunities in the city. I thrive on relationships so I can’t wait to get started and see where this new path takes me!
On that note, studying doesn’t pay the bills, so what am I doing in the meantime?
I work at lululemon athletica! I began training over a month ago and am officially an Educator!
I can already tell this is going to be an incredible place to work. Everyone has the same passion for health that I do and I’ve already attended a bunch of new fitness classes that I would never have tried on my own! It’s like I just made dozens of new friends who are exactly like me 🙂
Another huge plus is that the company promotes personal development in employees, so over the past month I’ve been forced (yes, forced) to look at my life and create a vision for my future. Not a general “I want to be happy.” I actually had to write out specific goals that I want to accomplish in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, etc. and share the vision I have for my life.
It. Was. Hard. I’m not a future-thinker. The future scares me. But once I had everything written out, I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I feel in control of my future, and I know that my vision can come true if I hold myself accountable to all my goals.
So many changes are a-happening but in the midst of all the change is an underlying excitement! I can’t wait to share everything with you over the next few months.
Questions:
- Any certified personal trainers out there? Any tips for me?
- Are you a future-thinker? Do you have specific goals for the future that you hold yourself accountable for?
i had a big lunch 
I love this direction you are headed in! And of course I love me some lulu!!
Thanks! I want to teach spin just like you do – it sounds like a blast!
Yay! Welcome to the world of personal training. I am currently studying for it at the moment whilst it is tough, it is so worth it.
I bet! Can I just fast-forward four months and know everything already? haha
Wow, congrats! It sounds like this is something you’re really passionate about, and, just as importantly, it seems like you’ve found a solid support system for chasing after your goals. Way to go! 🙂
Thanks! It’s exciting 🙂
so glad to hear you so excited about these changes! my passion is obviously for fitness too, and i did do one personal trainer cert a few years ago but have toyed with the idea of doing NASM since then. still might do it in the near future. best of luck with both of these endeavors. one of my girlfriends works at Lulu and seems to really enjoy the culture there, so hope you feel the same.
lululemon definitely has its own unique culture, and it’s something that’s going to help me a LOT (I can already tell).
You are so inspiring that you are going after your dreams instead of settling for something ok! Good luck and can’t wait to hear all about it!
Aw thanks! It’s scary but (hopefully) it’ll be worth it in the end!
STOKED for you buddy- this is such a great opportunity and working in the meantime for a company which values you to explore your current mindset and goals- amazing.
I’ve never worked anywhere that insists I develop as a person haha It’s really cool
How fun! You will be a great trainer and I couldn’t agree more that when I see someone trying to motivate others but treating it as a job not a passion, I always think “i could do that better’ ha ha! needless to say becoming a trainer as definitely crossed my mind. Which lulu are you working at? So jealous of your discount : )
I haven’t decided if I’ll share the exact store yet but TBD! The discount was lovvvvely at first but now I just have to keep myself from buying everything haha.
That was always my problem working in retail. I totally understand wanting to keep things private! Was just thinking if you were at the new store by me, we’d probably bump into each other : )
This is SO fantastic!! Your job at Lulu sounds wonderful, and I am so jazzed about your decision to become a personal trainer!! You already will be great with the mindset you have after seeing that woman’s interaction with the d-bag doucherrr. I mean the trainer…HA. Good things are coming your way!! ❤
Doucher/trainer are synonymous in this scenario 😉
This all sounds amazing for you! Sometimes it’s crazy how one little interaction or observance can click for us to make us think THIS is what I want to do right now!
Isn’t that how life is though? You try to figure it all out and then things click when you least expect it. I’m starting to learn that I can’t control everything (timing, how things click, etc.) It’s frustrating but so true!
Not a trainer, but I think you are going to be a WONDERFUL one!!! Good luck with all your studying and in the meantime I’m so jealous of your Lulu job! I would love to work someplace like that. Forward thinking…I have no idea. I have a job in my field, but I’m unhappy at the company I work for. I’m not sure what’s going to happen.
It’ll all work out when you least expect it haha and yeah it’s a great place to work! I highly recommend it!
Congratulations! You are going to be spectacular. NASM was a great experience for me, even if I didn’t end up doing it full time. But you will learn so much about yourself in the process, and you will be so, so happy to have devoted the time to yourself–I would love love love to talk to you about it, and my experience with it. WHEN WE FINALLY MEET lol. But seriously, let me know if there is any way that I can help–I have (obv) done it recently, so I should be able to answer questions if you have them!
I can’t wait to start studying! We’ll meet soon I PROMISE haha I’ll just add this to my list of things we have to chat about!
Aw I’m happy for you girl! This all sounds great! It feels so good to finally be following your dreams. I have zero advice about NASM, but I know all about taking leaps and dealing with life when it sucks and coming out of it in the end…so we can pretty much always talk about that. And food 🙂
I realllllly wish it were possible to skip the storm and be back in the sunshine 🙂 but I hope it’s all for the best!
This is awesome!!! I smiled soooo much reading this post – you sound so happy!!!
I am at the same crossroads as you, reassessing exactly what I want to do with my career – I think I have finally decided…. Back to school for me! 😉
Haha professionally yeah I’m full of hope! I hope your reassessment goes well…just the fact that you’re taking the time to recognize it and work towards a new goal is a huge step! I can’t wait to read all about it 🙂
Woohooooo be my personal trainer please!!!!!
I know I have some pretty large and more generic goals…. do well in grad school, move out within 5 years, pay off my student loans etc. But I love the idea of having some more goals that I can accomplish within the next year or so. I would love to run a half marathon (maybe next summerish) so I can eventually build up to a marathon. And I also want to do something to get involved in the well-being of dogs. I would love to get involved as a volunteer at an animal shelter or something!
More superficial goal: I want to lose 10 pounds. Since my last day of sitting on my butt all day at this job is Friday, I can actually work on that!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And also, I need to be better with my $.
Wow all these goals just poured out of me. Help me with them please!!!
hahaha so many goals! The only thing I recommend is give yourself actual deadlines – it makes them feel so much more concrete. Congrats on ALMOST being done with work woooo!
Congrats hun!!!! You will do amazing especially since it’s your passion!!! When you follow your heart and your passion, work is no longer work. I am an ISSA Certified Fitness Professional and have the same passion as you 🙂 I filed for my LLC 3 days ago and I cannot wait to start helping people. Good luck to you doll, my advice.. Learn as much as possible, follow your dreams and never give up!! Good luck!!! 😊👍🎉
Aw thanks and good luck to you too! As simple as it sounds, I’m really excited just to LEARN 🙂
You’re welcome!! That is awesome, I felt the same way. The material is so interesting!! 😊