How I got here and where we go from here.
It’s interesting when we think about our Journey in this lifetime. We journey through a lot of different seasons and paths as we grow and develop as humans.
As many of us have experienced, these seasons and paths we take throughout the journey are not just long and windy, but there are large mountains, deep valleys and a lot of other obstacles along the way.
I wanted to share a small window into my journey and how I got to the place where I decided to become a Health & Life Coach.
My interest in the Health and Wellness space started in college. My roommate wanted to try out for a fitness instructor job at our University our freshman year, and I thought that sounded fun so I went along and tried out as well. Both of us were selected for the job, and this was the springboard into my education into Fitness, Health and overall Well-Being.
I LOVED that job! I loved creating new routines for my Step Aerobics classes. Where are my ladies who were with me in spandex and all in the 90s? I got to workout and get paid for it. It was amazing!!
The biggest thing for me was I saw how happy, confident and accomplished my students were after each class. I would have regular students come to sweat and dance in a 30 or 45 minute class with hype music pumping us up along the way.
We had a community.
I also loved the creativity part of the job. I would make mixed tapes of different music at different counts depending on the intensity or level of the class. I would script and practice routines and get feedback from my fellow instructors on the combinations.
After college, I continued teaching classes at a Health Spa nearby where I met my now husband, the man I’ve been married to for 22 years. Later, I became the Fitness Director leading all of the programs at the Spa.
My path or journey took a big turn when we found out we were pregnant with twins in 2004. We were so excited and scared all at the same time! 2 at one time??
Due to having a high risk pregnancy, I shifted to an Accounting/HR role which I had done previously and my career path took off in the Human Resources field to where I am today as a Director in a services company. This career has been rewarding and challenging. I have had the opportunity to work in large corporations, small businesses, a consulting firm and a bank.
What is really interesting about my 20 year HR Career is that health and wellness have always been a part of My Story, my path. At each organization for which I worked, I implemented and/or ran the Wellness program.
My goal with managing any corporate wellness program was to have FUN! Corporate wellness programs are great in many regards, but I didn’t want it to feel like it was something we “had” to do. I wanted it to be more than a requirement or a “check the box” sort of thing.
The programs consisted of challenges and contests, both individual and team events. We included spouses and children to boost participation and make it a family affair. My approach to Health and Well-being was and still is today, holistic. If you didn’t want to walk or run in a step challenge, or if you had physical or medical limitations, you could do other activities to get “steps.” Our nutrition challenges were not about cutting one thing out or another, but finding foods that fuel your body and help you attain your health goals.
With the help of outside vendors and healthcare providers, the programs assisted participants lowering cholesterol and A1C, people quit smoking and lost weight and they could move in a way that they hadn’t in a long time.
It was truly amazing hearing stories of someone finally busting through a plateau, or reaching and exceeding their goals. I felt like with health and wellness programs, I was making a difference.
Fast forward to late 2021, I was in a corporate HR position and I was miserable. I had hit a ceiling in my career at a company where I thought my trajectory was strong. I had been reading leadership books, and participating in projects. I had taken the lead on the team, and pushed myself to show my leader and the company leadership that I should be promoted.
Alas, they had different plans.
I had already started to feel a twinge inside of me that something wasn’t right. That I was trying REALLY hard to be someone I am not. So, I started doing a lot of soul searching.
This is when I started journaling more consistently. I sought out a therapist and started talking to her about my struggles, my goals and dreams.
Part of my soul searching was exploring the idea of breaking free from the corporate structure and either running my own business or being a partner in a business. I had explored this idea before and always shot it down due to always being too scared to start or to explore the possibilities.
I really dug deep into thinking about the things that light me up. The things that get me out of bed in the morning or the things I talk about and research regularly. The common thread throughout my entire journey has been Health and Wellness.
Stay tuned for Part 2.
You continue to amaze me. The truthful way you approach life, your insights into seeking, ” Grace ” for yourself and others. I am a better person better for having known you all these years.
Thank you so much! I am grateful for you and your love and support!
I had no idea you taught a steps aerobics class! You’re awesome Jenn and I look forward to your blogs because they are inspiring!
Haha, yes, back in the day we were stepping and spinning and crunching. It was so much fun! Thank you for your kind words.