Before we get to what I thought was a colossal failure for me, let’s talk about an amazing winner – Melissa Burton! I know when you guest post it’s a given that you’re going to gush about the person you’re posting for but truly people, Melissa is amazing. She was one of the first bloggers to re-tweet or tweet about me and my blog when I didn’t know a tweet from a twit. She was also one of the first to start reading my blog and to actually find it interesting and, of course, I loved her back.
I love her Tunes for Tuesdays, I love that she’s obsessed with Duran Duran and that she has so much love for both NY and L.A. She’s truly amazing and I can’t wait to meet her in person someday. When she asked me to guest post and told me she was going to open a private nutrition practice, I was giddy with excitement! I know she will be a success no matter what. I just want to be a part of it. So, here’s my contribution. My epic firing from my very first “real” fitness job:
When I left the corporate world for a position as Fitness Director at a large gym near my hometown, I took about a $10,000 pay cut. Why would I ever do such a thing? Because it was my dream job and my corporate job, although well paying, was sucking my will to live. After a lot of budget finagling, my husband (then fiancé) agreed that my will to live surpassed monetary gain and I took the job at the gym.
Hooray for friends like Melissa! She sounds like a gem!
I’m heading over to read the rest of your post right now!! –Lisa
She really is…of course my Dose Girls are right up there on my list as well! You both have been here with me from the beginning and I’ll never forget that. xoxo
You are very fortunate to have a bloggy friend like her. It is so important in this business to have backing like that. I am hopping over now.
So true!! I appreciate YOUR support everyday my friend.
I love this post!! When I was training with you at Vita (aka kicking my butt) I still belonged to the gym and really didn’t want to know why you left because I enjoyed my time there too and you respected my wishes. You are the perfect mixture of friendship and professionalism. I admire you for that. But I do understand why you left the gym (their loss, for sure). Our lives have so many things in common. Your story is very close to our own story of why we went full time with our business. Dave was up for a promotion and didn’t get it. He had been hounding me to take our part time business, full time but I was scared. When he didn’t get the promotion, I realized that they didn’t appreciate him and we could do better…and the rest is history. And you are so right about word of mouth being the BEST advertisement. You are a powerful woman and I’m proud to call you a friend.
I can’t tell you how much your words mean to mean. Truly. I have no tolerance for BS so you know I’m giving it to you straight. I will never forget our first meeting at my studio and all the subsequent workouts. You were absolutely one of my most favorite clients because you worked your butt off both in training and in your office. You’ve been a role model to me in so many ways and I’m inspired by you and your husband and the landmark business you have built. For you to call me a “powerful woman” is the highest compliment because I consider you a mentor. I promise to continue to make you proud my friend!
Thank you.
Truly, the best way to describe change: “We are meant to move and, sometimes, to move on in order to find opportunity and realize our dreams”
What an amazing gift Vita was & still is to us all!
♡
Thank you so much Marisa! That means everything to me.
Can’t wait to check out your guest post and Melissa’s site. Always love to find great new blogs & blogging buddies!
Oh Nicole you are going to LOVE Melissa!
Headed over..RIGHT NOW!
Woohoo! Thanks T.
Great post! I love how the universe works. You may not think you are ready, but if you are really supposed to be living your purpose at that time, you will go there willingly, or be fired. I have seen it happen so many times. I am so glad you can look back and see that memory as a gift and what a great fiance (husband now?)
You put that so well. You cannot fight the forces of the universe! Yes, I’ve been married to him for almost 9 years now. He’s still helping me see what I can’t 🙂
I know exactly what you’re talking about, I have made some pretty amazing blogging friends and I now wonder what I ever did before I “met” them.
Heading over to finish reading your story. . .
It’s the truth! Thanks Karen.
Heading over! Her blog sounds great!
Great guest post!! I love the way that such a potentially negative thing was really just the kick you needed (with the support of your now husband) to open your own studio!!! IMHO the world needs way more people like you!!!
And – I’m excited to add Melissa’s blog to my list to follow.
Those were some really hard weeks and months that followed but, in hindsight, it was the best thing that could have happened. Thanks so much Kim!
You will love Melissa. She’s definitely a bright spot in a blog day 🙂
Off to check out the dirt and Melissa. I’m always looking for fun, new blogs.
Don’t you love some good dirt? Ha ha!! Thanks Angela.
Oh, goodness! Sometimes these things just happen. Am going to check out how exactly this happened to you…
Just finished up at Melissa’s blog. Thx for your candidness! Great lesson in this!
Thanks Joi. It was definitely a hard time in my life but made me realize what I can do when faced with difficulty.
I knew I had read that post! I don’t know why I didn’t comment!! But I just did. I really think sometimes things happen for a reason so something better can come along!
Sometimes you just have days like that Michelle!! And yes, I’m a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. Thanks for commenting *this* time!
you already know that Melissa is my girl!! Headed over now! 🙂 Love to see my faves get together for bloggy magic.
I know it! Thanks Nellie 🙂
I’m headed to the rest of your post right now, even though I’m days behind everyone else…and I can’t wait, you’re a great storyteller!
Better late then never I always say! Thanks for for your words Stephanie. I really appreciate you saying that. Hope it doesn’t disappoint!