I was thinking the other day about how I got started in the fitness industry. I’m training for a marathon again this summer with my boyfriend (it’s his first! And my 6th) and it has me feeling nostalgic, I suppose! 🙂
So, I wasn’t always athletic. In fact, I never played any sports in school outside of gym class. I was a statistician for the track team one day in sixth grade .. which was cool .. but not very athletic, haha.
I started going to the gym after I graduated high school. My goal was to finally feel confident in my skin, and I thought that having a tighter, more athletic body would do that for me. So, I embarked ..
I started with 2 days at the gym per week, then 3, then 5, then 6. I could run 10 miles on the treadmill. I lifted weights. But I STILL had not reached my goal, so – I was UNFULFILLED.
Then, I ran my first 5k. I got so inspired by curiosity of what my potential could be running outside. I progressed from the 5k distance to 8k, 10k, and a half marathon (13.1 miles). Upon finishing my first half marathon in 2011, I set my sights on the beast: the full marathon, 26.2 miles.
In this same timeframe, when I began my official first marathon training, I was in a place where I was seeking what I’d like to do with my life. (Sounds dramatic, and to me, it really was, and is!) I’d considered starting a bakery because I loved to bake for the runners for our long runs on Saturday mornings .. but I could not in myself justify making sweets for everyone (because not everyone was training for a marathon and running 18-20 miles). I then thought I could start a “healthy” bakery with “better” options, but at the time, had trouble justifying paying more for a smaller amount of coconut flour versus enriched white flour, so, I tabled that idea as well.
Then, it came to me one day on a bike ride (tip: movement inspires creativity and productivity): I can be a fitness coach!
And so the journey began.
The thought came to me to be a fitness coach/personal trainer because I saw the PARALLELS between fitness principles and life principles!
In my own fitness process, I learned SO MUCH about myself, and not only that, but also, how to master myself – how to steer my own life as I could steer my own fitness!Â
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Thus the concept of mental, spiritual, physical fitness was born.Â
The fitness journey will change your life. No matter where you are on the continuum, there are things to learn and so many more benefits awaiting you than simply a healthier, fitter body! Yes, ease of movement is wonderful – it makes it feel better to move and so we want to do it more, so our productivity improves, our relationships improve because we can be more present, and more .. Fitness is quite honestly the gift that keeps on giving. goal setting, diligence, perseverance, accountability, community – these are all things that I’ve learned in the process! They are such dear gifts to me.
How about you? What have you learned about yourself and about life so far in this journey?