Sure, I enjoyed playing sports and being active as a kid and teen. When I was young I was active in softball, playing on three teams at one point! Jr High brought about field hockey, soccer, and swimming, and by high school I was an avid cross country and track and field runner, which I continued into college. I had always been active and enjoyed being so, but I didn't plan to make it a career. I actually started my undergraduate studies as a double major in English and Political science- then English Secondary Education with a minor in Athletic Coaching, and finally Wellness and Sport Science with a minor in Athletic Coaching.
All I thought I ever wanted to be was a writer, a poet to be specific. Then it occurred to me how broke poets can be, so I tossed that idea away. Then I wanted to be a lawyer, until I realized just how long you had to go to school for! Fishing for what I wanted to do, I thought maybe I'd be an English teacher, but one day into my field experience corrected me of that impulse immediately. Suddenly there I was, with NO clue what to do with my life- I was in college, a place of studious direction- with, well, NO DIRECTION!
After I left the college cross country team I began working out in the college gym, where I first began dabbling with weights. It didn't take long for me to become addicted to the feeling of lifting, and the changes I was seeing in my physique. I became fascinated with lifting- how to lift, when, why, different training methods. I began reading about it, in textbooks, in magazines. I soon began to realize how inexplicably connected fitness and nutrition are and in turn I became obsessed with nutrition- how to eat, when to eat, what types of foods to eat, and how to manipulate food and dietary intake to get desired results in the body.
At the age of 20 I did my first figure show. In 2005 I did my first fitness photo shoot. Around the same time, I did a lot of soul searching, I realized that I had a love of working out and nutrition, but I wondered if there was a future for me in that industry. Is this really going to make me happy in the end? Here I was, in the middle of my college career, at a good school, racking my brain for what I wanted to do with my life.
After much turmoil and second thoughts, I decided to change my major—now. I changed my major to Wellness and Sport Science and started looking forward to a new career path that I had never considered before, one where I could make health and fitness a number one priority for myself—and to help others do the same. Most people probably thought I was nuts. Most people probably wouldn't have done the same thing, especially after such a large investment of time and money toward something else. But I'm not most people. I realized that I had to do what was best for me and carve my own path.
All I thought I ever wanted to be was a writer, a poet to be specific. Then it occurred to me how broke poets can be, so I tossed that idea away. Then I wanted to be a lawyer, until I realized just how long you had to go to school for! Fishing for what I wanted to do, I thought maybe I'd be an English teacher, but one day into my field experience corrected me of that impulse immediately. Suddenly there I was, with NO clue what to do with my life- I was in college, a place of studious direction- with, well, NO DIRECTION!
After I left the college cross country team I began working out in the college gym, where I first began dabbling with weights. It didn't take long for me to become addicted to the feeling of lifting, and the changes I was seeing in my physique. I became fascinated with lifting- how to lift, when, why, different training methods. I began reading about it, in textbooks, in magazines. I soon began to realize how inexplicably connected fitness and nutrition are and in turn I became obsessed with nutrition- how to eat, when to eat, what types of foods to eat, and how to manipulate food and dietary intake to get desired results in the body.
At the age of 20 I did my first figure show. In 2005 I did my first fitness photo shoot. Around the same time, I did a lot of soul searching, I realized that I had a love of working out and nutrition, but I wondered if there was a future for me in that industry. Is this really going to make me happy in the end? Here I was, in the middle of my college career, at a good school, racking my brain for what I wanted to do with my life.
After much turmoil and second thoughts, I decided to change my major—now. I changed my major to Wellness and Sport Science and started looking forward to a new career path that I had never considered before, one where I could make health and fitness a number one priority for myself—and to help others do the same. Most people probably thought I was nuts. Most people probably wouldn't have done the same thing, especially after such a large investment of time and money toward something else. But I'm not most people. I realized that I had to do what was best for me and carve my own path.
In 2010, at the discouragement of most of my friends and family- I took an even bigger risk- left my job as the Training Director at a local Gold's and launched my own company, Alli-Fitness.com. No one thought I could do it. There were times I didn't think I could do it. But 5 months and 32 clients later- I'm proof that I COULD DO IT! And today I have what the best job in the world, working for myself, doing what I love, and running a company that helps so many people realize their full potential. More importantly, I'm happy and satisfied with my day's work.
Last week I was contacted by a local newspaper- stating that I as nominate for Harrisburg's BEST OF 2010- as a fitness trainer. It was the first time in a long time that I took a moment to reflect on what I do on a day to day basis, and what I've learned during my convoluted journey, which was filled with ups, plenty of downs, and quite a few directional changes.
Most of all, what I have to say, is that this whole journey, has taught me to trust myself. I learned that happiness doesn't come from a coveted diploma, a lucrative career, or by doing what you think others want—or expect—you to do. And I learned that we all make mistakes—sometimes big, drawn out and expensive ones! But every choice we do make leads us to where we are now and makes us stronger and wiser.
Sometimes the path you should take isn't clear at first. Sometimes you make a few wrong turns, get lost or turned around along the way. But when you listen to the person who knows you best—that's you!—you'll always come out okay.....
Last week I was contacted by a local newspaper- stating that I as nominate for Harrisburg's BEST OF 2010- as a fitness trainer. It was the first time in a long time that I took a moment to reflect on what I do on a day to day basis, and what I've learned during my convoluted journey, which was filled with ups, plenty of downs, and quite a few directional changes.
Most of all, what I have to say, is that this whole journey, has taught me to trust myself. I learned that happiness doesn't come from a coveted diploma, a lucrative career, or by doing what you think others want—or expect—you to do. And I learned that we all make mistakes—sometimes big, drawn out and expensive ones! But every choice we do make leads us to where we are now and makes us stronger and wiser.
Sometimes the path you should take isn't clear at first. Sometimes you make a few wrong turns, get lost or turned around along the way. But when you listen to the person who knows you best—that's you!—you'll always come out okay.....
Sometimes it's our confusion, our fumblings, and our mistakes, that inevitably lead us to the places we were always MEANT to be at.....
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