my top 10 lessons in 2023

with no explanation:

1. only I can advance me
   

2. 60% of women across the states do not have plans for retirement (neither did I at the time)
   

3. even though I may not have anything in common with a well-known mentor, I can still learn from them
   

4. sometimes feeling tension and friction are signs of growth
   

5. you gotta spend a lil money to make a lil money
   

6. if I am not clearly defining my expectations or boundaries to others, I cannot get upset by others’ actions/lack of action
   

7. asking for specific gifts or next best thing for birthdays/holidays/vacation
   

8. you’ll be more rewarded and fulfilled when you stop moving out of spite and make moves out of love
   

9. don’t share your ‘big picture’ with others who won’t appreciate your work to make it happen
   

10. rest in my cave is essential to my success

why I am not a fitness influencer

I have been in the fitness industry off and on for a decade, on all sides. Front desk girl, client, class participant, sister to the gym daycare teacher, and now I am the personal trainer. Several times a week I host a live session from my living room. I build fitness plans every week. I have stacks of 5 subject notebooks full of original routines; piles of books that have been eagerly consumed. special interest? hyperfocus? you betcha.

sure, I am certified. AFPA-certified personal trainer. I am studying yoga under My Vinyasa Practice. nutrition classes through AFPA. business classes through ISSA. to keep most of these certificates active, continuing education classes or retesting is necessary. science evolves daily, most fitness professionals either have to constantly update their knowledge or fall behind the times.

collecting certificates like trinkets.

Since COVID, working remotely was and still is the best option for our family. making silly videos with filters is easy. posting myself in gym clothes at any angle to be openly judged by others never felt like a safe place.

I’ve seen the sweetest of fitness girls get destroyed in comment sections. I’ve witnessed the best of young men put their bodies through strenuous training to compete only to be called disgusting in passing. yeah yeah it sounds biased and trivial; bc it is my experience that I’m basing the decision on, what’s it matter to you then? ;)

soooo many people have come forward with, ‘Shannon, make videos, all you have to do is record yourself and post it! you’re doing it anyway.’

do you know how many middle-aged, genetically small, long brown-haired women are exercising on social media and private platforms? the market is drenched. needing equipment and infinite time to record and edit video… it just doesn’t seem like a practical fit for me at this time.

maybe one day when the kids are older; I don’t want to put myself into a ‘I’ll never do that’ box. it does look like a lot of creative fun. for now, I am going to stick to building relationships and driving results with current clients… continue to branch out and get a firm foundation in brand identity and business.

if you’re interested in personal training sessions, you can learn more about them on the services page or book a free consultation. the client log is kept small to allow scheduling changes, personal accommodations, and daily time spent per client. I come with references!