Seven years ago, I found pilates in the same space that is now my studio. I remember sitting on the reformer one day after class thinking…This is what I am supposed to do. So, in the middle of nursing school and nannying… I swan dove into the deep end and signed up for a Pilates certification. I was 19. I was good at nursing, patient care and loved learning but knew that the hospital wasn’t my end game.
Early on, I saw how seamlessly my textbook nursing knowledge fit into my passion for teaching. I could relate to my clients on a deeper level because I know the pathophysiology of their injuries or disease processes as well as the side effects of medications.
Confession: I thought being an instructor would be a cakewalk.
I was in school to save lives…What I was studying was literally life or death. I could handle teaching a little fitness class.
BOY… was I wrong.
First of all… my cert was so dang hard. I mean I was a mess. I cried. Probably everyday…mostly over the roll-up. That shit is hard.
I would have class or clinical in the morning, nanny in the afternoon//the days I didn’t have class and at night I would study + practice Pilates.
I was super super lucky that the owner of the studio I practiced at allowed me to have a key. I would get to practice when there weren’t classes. I would set up my laptop and listen to lectures I recorded while I played on the reformer.
I’m an auditory learner so this was perfect for me. During exams, I would recall information based on the movement I was doing at that point in the lecture. (Example: The renin–angiotensin-aldosterone system is tree on the short box…as I lower my upper body hand my hands walk down leg I still think of fluid and electrolyte balance.)
My schedule was crazy but I saw the big picture. Work now, play later was the mentality. Truth be told I think that has been my mentality for the last 7 years. My best friend Cait has this shirt she ironically always wears on the days I need It the most… It says “One day this pain will all make sense” ( And on February 29, 2020… It did and Cait wore the shirt.)
I want to be perfectly clear, I wasn’t a good instructor in the beginning…I had the potential for sure but there wasn’t a waitlist to be found. I love telling new instructors that when I first started teaching, clients would see I was subbing and WALKOUT. I mean literally leave the studio seeing the infant // inexperienced instructor at the front of the room.
I’m not going to lie, it stung the first few times It happened, but It was good for my ego and only made me work harder. The deeper I got into nursing the more I wanted to be at the studio. I would watch my patients move with faulty movement patterns and jump into teacher mode and cue them without even thinking.
Right before I finished nursing school I started working for lululemon. Part of my job description was to write out my goals. When I envisioned my future there weren’t scrubs or catheters to be found. I pictured owning a studio. I pictured dropping off my kids at preschool, teaching, writing and collaborative conference calls with other community leaders.
Three months after I put It in writing, I was offered a full time teaching position at a huge chain gym. I jumped at the opportunity. I was thrilled to pursue my calling…until I realized what 100% commission meant. I’m not cut out for corporate settings.
Listen, I’m zesty. I’m an HR nightmare (somehow by the grace of Jesus himself I was well-liked and never got in trouble for my cheeky stories). I love to push the envelope…I’m also not down to pimp supplements no matter how much commission I get. So I left and went back to nannying full-time.
Then I got the call about stRIDE.
stRIDE was the biggest blessing in my life. Never in my life have I had so much creative freedom. I was never told how to teach, what music to play or how to connect with clients. I was finally able to be my truest self. From day one, the clients embraced me. They opened their souls, shared their stories and booked classes a month out at midnight. It took only weeks for complete strangers to become my family.
stRIDE taught me more than I could ever put into words and It will forever be the place that gave me the space to be authentic. Because of stRIDE, The Studio by TPB came to fruition four years before I had planned.
In my mind, I would be married with a supportive husband and a toddler or two. I would own a house. I would be in my 30s, ‘stable’ (whatever that means), and know what I was doing.
Instead, I’m 26, very single and making it up as I go. I know how to teach. My gift is human connection. I know how to apply science + mindset to any format. But the business aspect, girl I am just winging It. Thank god for accountants, lawyers, and mentors.
My support system is hands down the best in the universe. Just thinking about my little family makes me cry. The fact that so many people support my dreams isn’t lost on me. My community has lifted me up. Local studio owners I didn’t think knew I existed reached out to celebrate me…pure magic.
Girls, If you have found your passion do not give up out of fear. I have been working towards this for seven full years. I have worked in four different studios, each gifting me with greater knowledge and experience. I met the most incredible humans every step of the way. Each one of those souls leaving their mark on mine, giving me the courage to follow my passion.
If you haven’t recognized your gift just yet, do not give up. I believe our gift shows up in all that we do. It is the trail of glitter we don’t know we are spreading in our day to day interactions. Mine isn’t teaching…It’s creating connections. I used it just as much in nursing as I do now. Your light shines bright. Listen to the feedback you’re getting. Find what makes you jump out of bed in the morning. Connect your gift to your passion and you will be unstoppable.
I’m still in a state of shock that I get to do what I love most all dang day. This wouldn’t be possible without you. Thank you.
Make good choices. Look both ways. Love you the very most!
Katie
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