This month marks three years of working in health and fitness as my full-time career…and what a three years it has been. When I started this new path I was personal training, teaching yoga and writing the blog on the side – how that would change! Over the last three years I’ve held the following job titles…
– Personal trainer (current)
– CrossFit coach (current)
– Group exercise instructor
– Yoga teacher (current)
– General manager Metro Fitness Club and Metro CrossFit
– Marketing and communications manager Metro Fitness Club and Metro CrossFit (current, freelance)
– Blogger (current)
– Author (first book debuting April 2015, second December 2015!)
– Private chef (that was short-lived due to Run Charlotte but totally fun)
– Content manager and writer for The Charlotte Observer for Run Charlotte Run (current, freelance)
I can honestly say that I wouldn’t trade any of this in for the world. You know the Sunday night blues? The sadness/depression/anxiety that comes with the end of the weekend and a looming work week ahead? According to a Monster.com poll, 78 percent of respondents and international poll reported experiencing the so-called “Sunday Night Blues.” 47 percent said they get it “really bad.” In the U.S., that number jumps to 59 percent.
I NEVER get them. I go to bed every night and wake up every morning excited about what the day has in store for me. I never dread a training session, a yoga class, writing a blog post, meeting with the Metro management team or my stories for Run Charlotte. When I do get to the point of dreading something, I figure out how I can do less of that and more of what I am excited to do…and then I let it go. It’s been a pretty revolutionary new way to live.
Over the years I have received more emails and questions about my career transition than anything else. And I’m thrilled to share today that I’ll be speaking about how to successfully transition to a career in health and fitness at my first conference in October! I’ll also be leading a workshop on core strength and plank progressions as a promo for my upcoming book.
The 2014 Health and Fitness Influencers Conference will be held in beautiful, coastal St. Michaels, Maryland from October 26-28…and I’d love for you to join me! The conference takes place at Harbourtowne Golf & Conference Center and it’s a lovely venue. It’s targeted towards those who either work in the industry or want to make the leap.
There are so many great speakers and presentations including Help End the Perfection Mindset, Building and Effective Site, Fat Loss Cooking School: Behind the Scenes, The Expected and Unexpected of Opening Your Own Studio and more. Read about all of the speakers and presentations. Check out the conference schedule here.
GET $20 OFF REGISTRATION WITH THE CODE JenD. Let me know if you have any questions.
I can’t stress to you enough how grateful I feel to call all of those job titles listed above my career. It isn’t easy and it isn’t traditional. I work seven days a week. I get up at 4:50 a.m. most days of the week to train clients. I teach and/or train an average of 4-6 hours per day on top of the writing/freelance work. I am at the gym or the yoga studio working until 7:30 p.m. most evenings and write blog posts, books and stories into the night and on the weekends…but I’ve never felt happier or more fulfilled by my work and that’s an incredible feeling.
Do you get the Sunday night blues?
I’m so excited for you! How cool you get to speak!
This could not have come at a better time. I’m a lawyer and totally suffer from Sunday night blues and am constantly stressed and overwhelmed during the week. I just started a holistic health coach program and intend on transitioning to a career with that. Can’t wait to hear more from you. You have me excited for myself!
Thank you for sharing your everything with us. I don’t
See how you find the time to write. You also take care
Of a house and dog, and have time to prepare healthy
Food. I’ve tonight spinning for almost 2 years, got
Group exercise certified, then INSANITY certified.
I get so excited to see everyone when I go to the gym.
My next step is bodypump certified. So, I would be
Interested in finding out how you survived the certification for BP.
Thanks again, and congratulations!!
That’s so exciting that you’ll be speaking, congrats! I don’t really get the Sunday night blues anymore, though I wouldn’t say I’m excited for Monday either haha 🙂 I got the worst Sunday blues at my last job though, so I’ll take it!
No Sunday night blues here…I always look forward to another week to start fresh, dream BIG, challenge my mind and body, as always see my clients progress. This is such a rewarding field to be in and even though I definitely get exhausted and stressed, I still love it.
Hi Jen, I would love to attend this conference since I am hoping that one day, making that leap will be possible. However, due to certain events at that time of year for my job I am unable to be out during those days. Is there any way you will be able to share your presentation with readers? Even a post about what you cover would be SO amazing. My biggest fear is the financial aspect; how do you make enough money? where does your health insurance and benefits come from? Can I really support myself (and my family!) by teaching full time? (I currently teach part-time at the barre3 studio in Atlanta.) Anyway, it would be awesome if you could do a post like that!!!
Jen just reading the list of job positions you’ve had Over the past 3 years makes me a bit jealous lol! I would love to make the jump but not sure if I’m there yet personally. Maybe next year! Congrats on the books I can’t wait to see them! Writing my blog Sunday nights helps me beat my Sunday night blues as it’s something I really am passionate about! Thanks for sharing your story and reminding that it’s up to us to find ways to do more of what we love!
I used to have those Sunday night blues too! But no more. I love creating my own schedule and being excited about my job every single day! We are living the dream!
That is so exciting, congrats! I hope I find that specific career that I am excited to go to everyday as well. Fingers crossed 🙂
I’m so envious and inspired by your life! I hope to find a job after college that I feel just as passionate about.
Don’t you think the vast majority of people taking a Monster.com poll would report having the Sunday night blues … as they are on the website since they’re looking for new jobs?! That seems like a totally biased sample to me.
It’s quite inspiring to read how you have transformed your career from one sector to another, and still remain successful. I have no doubt it has taken a lot of sacrifice, hard work and late nights – but at the end of the day, it’s nice to know its all worth it. Keep up the great work – I always enjoy reading your blog… plus – I love your pink tights, where did you get them from?
This blog made me smile all the way through! At the age of 56 I began my “career” as a yoga instructor! The reward far outweighs the sacrifice! Your blog has been one of inspiration for me on my journey. Seeking that which I was created to do has been a fulfillment of a dream. Thank you for opening your life so others could catch a glimpse of what true peace in this life is like. Namaste.
PS:wish I could attend the conference. Hopefully you can make it to Dothan, Al. someday!