Finding My Place

When I was growing up, I always thought I wanted to be a teacher. I received a degree in Early Childhood Education.  I taught pre-school for a number of years and was a substitute teacher at a private school near where I lived. I enjoyed it, but I can say that I didn’t jump out of bed every morning excited to go to work. I then moved on to a few other jobs throughout the years and left teaching behind. I was looking for the much sought after job that everyone wants. The one that you actually look forward to going to work and enjoy the time you spend there. Is there truly such a job?

This past year, my personal trainer was in the process of opening his own gym and needed people to work for him. I was excited because it came with a free gym membership. Score one for me! Throughout the year, I had numerous members suggest that I become a personal trainer, but never really gave it much thought. I turned 40 this past year and thought that I am too old to start studying again and embarking on a new career. I am a mom first and foremost, a wife, an obstacle course race junkie, and love to spend a few hours each day either on the trails or at the gym. How would I ever manage to add studying to an already full plate. Well, I decided to take a leap of faith and ordered my books in August.

The hardest part of the whole process was figuring out how to juggle everything and make sure I didn’t neglect any of my responsibilities. I thought I would be able to replace some of my training time with studying, since I wasn’t planning on doing any races after the Vermont Ultra Beast.  Well, that didn’t happen, I decided to sign up for the Texas Beast in early December. That pretty much gave me the month of January to really put my nose to the grindstone. I studied every chance I could get. I was even able to multitask at the gym during my workouts. I had downloaded some of my course cd’s onto my ipod and listened to the lectures while on the stairs and incline trainer. While my girls did their homework at the table, I sat with them with my books. Any car trips we took, I read as my husband drove.

Finally test day was here. I think I was more nervous taking this test than before any race I have ever done. After the test was over, I was handed a folded piece of paper with my final results on it. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I couldn’t get myself to open the paper to look at my score. The woman at the desk actually asked me if I was ok. I smiled nicely and nodded and proceeded to walk out the door. Once I was outside I looked down at my score. The next thing I knew, I was no longer walking I was running to my car with a huge smile on my face. I couldn’t wait to tell my husband that I passed.

These past few weeks have been absolutely wonderful. It is an amazing feeling to get up in the morning and look forward to going to work. I taught my first boot camp class this past weekend and loved it. I had 15 people in my class and they all gave 110%. I enjoyed working at the gym before, but this brings it to a whole new level. I can now say I truly love my job and going to work. It’s funny how life comes full circle. I ended up being a teacher after all. I am a teacher of fitness and well being instead of academics like I had originally thought I would be. I have found my place of true happiness!