Find Your Passion, It Just May Surprise You!


The new owner of Reality Fitness! Carla Linder-Mayer

During this past year, I’ve had some pretty major changes in my life. After 20 years of owning my own personal training studio, I sold it.  I said, “good-bye” to some amazing clients and walked out of the studio and in to a new life. My youngest child will be a senior in college this fall (I’m getting a great big raise next year!) and I turned 50. I have spent the last 20 years doing something I absolutely love (personal training). But, I always promised myself that if the love factor slipped, I’d have to move on and find a new place that allows me to put my heart in to my work again.

Part of my new life is spending more time writing. Ironically, I never read a book all the way through (unless Green Eggs and Ham and Hats for Sale count) until high school, and that was simply mandatory reading- yawn.  I really didn’t read much other than magazines during my school years. However, I spent much of my time writing loads of poetry (the woes of young love), lyrics to songs on my guitar, and of course my infamous novel about a blind boxer, as in fighter, not dog.  Yes, I really did.

My point is that I always loved words, loved taking my thoughts and putting them to paper, not for anyone’s amusement but my own.

I use to spend hours listening to lyrics of songs and interpreting them into poetry of my own. (Fascinating the way a 7th grader interprets life).  Communicating through the written word has always been a deep seeded passion. It wasn’t until I read a book by Amy Tan, (likely the first big girl book I read through) that I understood the meaning of  “voice” as a writer.  I was instinctively clear on my voice, and realized not only my writing potential, but I became acutely aware of the connection between reading AND writing. From that point on, I became a voracious reader which ultimately helped my writing. Even though I was a late bloomer, I now know it’s tough to be a solid writer if you’re not a solid reader.

“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” ~James Michener

I’m sharing this with you because very often we feel we have to stick with what makes sense and guarantees a living. I can tell you right now, when I started my business 20 years ago there was no guarantee that I would succeed. I had zero business background and was new to training.  But, I was passionate about helping others discover good health and inspiring them to take action. Further, I believed in myself so it worked.

I now understand that my writing is no different.  I write about things I am passionate about in an effort to educate others on the amazing opportunities life offers be it health and fitness, personal empowerment, or embracing the process of  maturing.  I’m alive when I write. I feel strongly that doing something you love, in an effort to educate, entertain, and in some instances inspire, can certainly evolve into a living.

I am looking forward to this next phase in life. I’m excited that I get to write more. I’m grateful to my Grandfather who taught me, “It’s a sad day when you don’t learn something new!”

After 20 years, my last training client. Thanks John!

The beauty of maturity is that you can take the wisdom garnered over the years to assess and noodle through new challenges and opportunities that come your way. I’ve had many people assume I’m retiring. Retiring from personal training for sure, but I am embarking on a new phase of life that I can’t wait to explore.  Retire? No way.  Aspire? Absolutely. I aspire to write more about the things that keep us healthy, strong and optimistic about life. I look forward to many new adventures, and I hope you’ll join me.

“You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you were meant to be.”  J. Taylor

Nicki

 

 

 


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