Everything Happens for a Reason

About a year and a half ago, I walked into a gym. I met with a personal trainer with every intention of signing up. I walked out of the meeting with a job offer. I was beyond thrilled to have found my way back to my passion. My degree is in Health, Wellness, and Physical Edu and I had a soft spot for childhood obesity. I thought maybe I could be a P.E. teacher. But you know how life goes, and finances became more important than the debt it was going to take for me to get anything more than an associate degree.

So, when I was offered a personal training job, I thought this was the answer I was looking for. I could get back to what I loved doing, and maybe one day I'd find my way back to working with kids in the wellness field, having just left Rolly Pollies, a fantastic company where I worked as a preschool and gym teacher.

A lot happened in that year. I gained 15 pounds thinking that because I was "working out" more, that meant I needed more food. My eating anxieties came back after got the novel idea of getting off of my anxiety medication. I learned my lesson. And then, I went to Boston for the Anytime Fitness 2025 Light It Up Conference with my team. We had a blast. I found my spark. And ironically, I concluded I couldn't be the coach that Anytime Fitness was looking for. I kept going back to why I had walked into the gym to begin with. It was to help myself get back on track. To find an outlet, a community outside of work, and to commit to a healthier me. But I wasn't feeling healthier, happier, or motivated to do anything I once loved to do.

So, I wrote an email to the manager and the owner, and we had a meeting. She cried, I cried, and we mutually fired/quit. I realized it would be unfair for me to keep saying I could meet their expectations when I knew it wasn't who I was.

Since then, I've been asked if we are still talking, if I found another gym, because how awkward it is to keep going to the place where you were fired from. I signed up as a member on my last day, right after teaching a class, and now I attend class. I have 2 amazing trainers who know me. Push me to but not over my limits. Understand my weaknesses and strengths. And ensure that I'm showing up for myself, even when I don't want to.

Where do I work now?

I'm a permanent substitute at a local elementary school. Every day is different. I work with various ages and abilities. I can see the passion and drive, the desire to help these kids in the teachers I work with. My creative side has come back, allowing me to write again, start a monthly newsletter, and the freedom to give back and be part of such an amazing community.

I can honestly say this is the most well-rounded,

happiest I've been in a long time.

I have my family to thank. My husband is the hardest worker I know, who still finds time to be with us. He supports me in my job change and in my creative efforts. He was patient when I was struggling with my body image. And the communication strength in our family as a whole is at a record high, which has only helped us grow in understanding.

I have the amazing people at the school who truly only want the best for the kids they work with.

And finally, I want to thank my ex-boss, manager, and my new coaches for helping me reach for the stars.

I found the heart of Anytime Fitness at the conference, and I'm thrilled to still be a part of such a great company on the receiving side.