Inspiration: the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
About a year ago I had an idea for a blog post. I procrastinated. I thought it would be too much work on top of everything else I had going on. The idea wouldn’t go away. Flash forward to a pilates class and my teacher Natalie shouting to the class, “You can fucking do this!” I immediately snapped out of my train of thought and went deeper into the exercise. I thought her class was so incredible! She played loud music, she used curse words with intention and it helped me get out of my own head. It felt like I was being coached by a celebrity trainer. I felt inspired. I spit out, “I have an idea!” The idea evolved into more than I originally planned.
That’s how I finally decided to start writing this blog post. I think we all have creative ideas that need to be manifested and those ideas could potentially help us and other people but they won’t if they just sit in our heads. I hope something you read here will inspire you to take action!
INTERVIEW:
I sat down with Natalie at Another Cafe , we sipped Oat Milk Lattes and had a great conversation about life, loss and not following the pack.
Tell us about what you do for a living.
I am the Master Trainer for CORE40 in San Francisco. I lead our training and development program for new and current instructors. This involves motivating and continually educating our trainers.
One of the reasons your class is so enjoyable to me is how inspired I feel during every class. This also carries over into the rest of my day and week.
What inspires you to inspire others?
A little over 10 years ago my Mom passed away. At the time I was a selfish person. Everything was about me and what was happening to me. Also, my goals ran everything. I hit every goal since the age of 12 years old. That took a lot of discipline but came at a high price. I lost a lot of friends and missed family birthdays. I fucked up a lot of relationships. I only cared about me and what I was working towards.
When I lost my Mom I asked myself what the point of life was without relationships. I didn’t like the person I had become and I had a breakthrough. I decided to start creating a life I was proud of. I quit my corporate job and started yoga teacher training. I started a non-profit focused on yoga and cancer recovery. People would come to me after class and say “You are the reason I can get through my day. I can just come to the mat and cry and let it go and I don’t feel judged.”
I realized I was doing this more for them. I was inspired by my clients which made me want to give more and inspire them in return. Its a circle of energy that continues to push me to be better so I can inspire others to do the same. Whenever I’m having a bad day I look at the stacks of cards and letters that I’ve received from clients over the years and they remind me why I do this, why I love this. I know my Mom would be proud of me <3
About a year ago I had an idea for a blog post. I procrastinated. I thought it would be too much work on top of everything else I had going on. The idea wouldn’t go away. Flash forward to a pilates class and my teacher Natalie shouting to the class, “You can fucking do this!” I immediately snapped out of my train of thought and went deeper into the exercise. I thought her class was so incredible! She played loud music, she used curse words with intention and it helped me get out of my own head. It felt like I was being coached by a celebrity trainer. I felt inspired. I spit out, “I have an idea!” The idea evolved into more than I originally planned.
That’s how I finally decided to start writing this blog post. I think we all have creative ideas that need to be manifested and those ideas could potentially help us and other people but they won’t if they just sit in our heads. I hope something you read here will inspire you to take action!
INTERVIEW:
I sat down with Natalie at Another Cafe , we sipped Oat Milk Lattes and had a great conversation about life, loss and not following the pack.
Tell us about what you do for a living.
I am the Master Trainer for CORE40 in San Francisco. I lead our training and development program for new and current instructors. This involves motivating and continually educating our trainers.
One of the reasons your class is so enjoyable to me is how inspired I feel during every class. This also carries over into the rest of my day and week.
What inspires you to inspire others?
A little over 10 years ago my Mom passed away. At the time I was a selfish person. Everything was about me and what was happening to me. Also, my goals ran everything. I hit every goal since the age of 12 years old. That took a lot of discipline but came at a high price. I lost a lot of friends and missed family birthdays. I fucked up a lot of relationships. I only cared about me and what I was working towards.
When I lost my Mom I asked myself what the point of life was without relationships. I didn’t like the person I had become and I had a breakthrough. I decided to start creating a life I was proud of. I quit my corporate job and started yoga teacher training. I started a non-profit focused on yoga and cancer recovery. People would come to me after class and say “You are the reason I can get through my day. I can just come to the mat and cry and let it go and I don’t feel judged.”
I realized I was doing this more for them. I was inspired by my clients which made me want to give more and inspire them in return. Its a circle of energy that continues to push me to be better so I can inspire others to do the same. Whenever I’m having a bad day I look at the stacks of cards and letters that I’ve received from clients over the years and they remind me why I do this, why I love this. I know my Mom would be proud of me <3
What book, podcast or blog has recently inspired you?
You Are A Badass! by Jen Sincero. About a year ago, I noticed I was comparing myself to other trainers in the industry. Its a side of the fitness industry that we don’t talk about because we are so in it. It’s this idea of, I want more followers on instagram because the more followers I get the more people will take my class and the more brands will sponsor me, so I need to pose with cute outfits. It started getting to me.
I felt like I needed to get better abs and take more pictures of myself doing all kinds of poses. I started realizing I wasn’t putting the energy towards training my people but sucking the energy up for myself and falling into old patterns of selfish behavior. That behavior isn’t in line with the integrity I want for the fitness industry. I said no. I wanted to bring integrity back to what I do and what I love. I started by turning off all of my social media. I did this for 40 days and read You are a Badass, twice!
I started meditating again and traveling with my husband. I started remembering what brought me here in the first place. Even though the industry may look a certain way, I don’t have to follow that. I can lead a different path of self acceptance and not compare to other people. I don’t need thousands of followers on instagram and perfect abs. Bitch please, I love margaritas, I love queso and I love life!
You Are A Badass! by Jen Sincero. About a year ago, I noticed I was comparing myself to other trainers in the industry. Its a side of the fitness industry that we don’t talk about because we are so in it. It’s this idea of, I want more followers on instagram because the more followers I get the more people will take my class and the more brands will sponsor me, so I need to pose with cute outfits. It started getting to me.
I felt like I needed to get better abs and take more pictures of myself doing all kinds of poses. I started realizing I wasn’t putting the energy towards training my people but sucking the energy up for myself and falling into old patterns of selfish behavior. That behavior isn’t in line with the integrity I want for the fitness industry. I said no. I wanted to bring integrity back to what I do and what I love. I started by turning off all of my social media. I did this for 40 days and read You are a Badass, twice!
I started meditating again and traveling with my husband. I started remembering what brought me here in the first place. Even though the industry may look a certain way, I don’t have to follow that. I can lead a different path of self acceptance and not compare to other people. I don’t need thousands of followers on instagram and perfect abs. Bitch please, I love margaritas, I love queso and I love life!
You touched on body image and perceived beauty in the industry. What do you want people to know about body image? Is there an example of how you have accepted your own body flaws and strengths?
Honestly? I hate the statement “body image.” I believe that the “image” you have of yourself should go SO much deeper than that. As a woman in the fitness industry there are certain standards people want to hold us to. If you think off the top of your head about the top women fitness coaches out there you picture a super fit, abs poppin’, toned arms, booty lifted, type of figure. This is a hard fucking image to compete with! The funny thing is, most of those women are also struggling with “body image” and they are what other girls are comparing themselves to. It’s a shitty rabbit hole that I’m trying to shut down.
Honestly? I hate the statement “body image.” I believe that the “image” you have of yourself should go SO much deeper than that. As a woman in the fitness industry there are certain standards people want to hold us to. If you think off the top of your head about the top women fitness coaches out there you picture a super fit, abs poppin’, toned arms, booty lifted, type of figure. This is a hard fucking image to compete with! The funny thing is, most of those women are also struggling with “body image” and they are what other girls are comparing themselves to. It’s a shitty rabbit hole that I’m trying to shut down.
"For the first time in my generation people are finally saying fuck these standards." | For the first time in my generation people are finally saying fuck these standards. I’m beautiful because I say I am, I’m fit because I take the time to get my sweat on, I’m smart because I worked my ass off to live my dream, I’m worthy because I’m a person and every single person is worth it. |
That is what “body image” means to me. No exteriors here…I want my clients to dig deeper for their motivation. That’s why in my classes I coach on strengthening body, mind and soul from the inside out. Just remember, when I’m kicking your ass, it all comes from a place of love and the love I want you to have for yourself.
What do you want people to know about fitness?
Fitness can be FUN! Yes, my classes our challenging and push you past your limits, but when you’re actually enjoying the exercises, the music, the energy of your instructor, your going to have fun AND get your ass liked at the same time! Don’t take class you don’t enjoy because then fitness feels like boring, hard work.
The time flies by when you’re engaged and taking in every single moment, and for most of us, thats when the good shit happens. The shake, the sweat and internal motivation that pushes us out of our comfort zone and into the fire of our workout. What’s the best compliment a fitness instructor can get? In my opinion, it’s when clients say, “WOW! That class flew by and I’m still shaking!” if I hear that, I did my job and made it fun :-)
What do you want people to know about fitness?
Fitness can be FUN! Yes, my classes our challenging and push you past your limits, but when you’re actually enjoying the exercises, the music, the energy of your instructor, your going to have fun AND get your ass liked at the same time! Don’t take class you don’t enjoy because then fitness feels like boring, hard work.
The time flies by when you’re engaged and taking in every single moment, and for most of us, thats when the good shit happens. The shake, the sweat and internal motivation that pushes us out of our comfort zone and into the fire of our workout. What’s the best compliment a fitness instructor can get? In my opinion, it’s when clients say, “WOW! That class flew by and I’m still shaking!” if I hear that, I did my job and made it fun :-)
Favorite Beauty Ritual?
First thing in the morning I exfoliate with a natural scrub and I pack in the moisture with tons of oils. I don’t like make-up [foundation] so I go for dewy natural skin. I like to walk out into the world with an attitude of this is who I am, this is what I look like. I love natural products because they leave my skin deeply moisturized, and make me look and feel fresher! Also a facial with Josh is heaven for my complexion!
You can take one of Natalie’s inspiring pilates classes at CORE 40 in the Nob Hill, Hayes Valley or Marina location. www.core40.com
First thing in the morning I exfoliate with a natural scrub and I pack in the moisture with tons of oils. I don’t like make-up [foundation] so I go for dewy natural skin. I like to walk out into the world with an attitude of this is who I am, this is what I look like. I love natural products because they leave my skin deeply moisturized, and make me look and feel fresher! Also a facial with Josh is heaven for my complexion!
You can take one of Natalie’s inspiring pilates classes at CORE 40 in the Nob Hill, Hayes Valley or Marina location. www.core40.com
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