Preparation meets opportunity ...

Growing up in Idaho, I was exposed to athletics at a very young age. My parents are very active so raising active kids was important to them. My Mom and Dad always reminded us that sports was more than just about winning, it was about building self-confidence and understanding that if you wanted to be great at something you have to WORK for it. Shortcuts or a lack of practice was not the perceived road to being great in my family.

I had that internal fire and always wanted to be great. I was born with an intense competitive spirit that has helped me tremendously along the way. Being fiercely competitive mixed with an intense love of moving ended up being a great combination for what I do today.

There have been so many influential people that have helped me along the way and I am forever grateful for them. But, at the end of the day, it is up to you to see the magic that lies within you. People would always ask me, "how are you going to make a living being a group fitness instructor?" It didn't matter what they thought because all that mattered was that I believed in my vision. They weren't looking through the same lens that I was. I have always dreamed big and strived for excellence.

Some of the best advice I have been given is, "ALWAYS be prepared when the opportunity comes knocking on your door." I took those words and made that my mission. When that time would come when my preparation met the opportunity, I was going to make damn sure I was prepared.

Three ways to get prepared

First: The best way to get prepared is to have a clear goal in mind. I love asking people what their end-goal is. It allows you to see how much thought they have put into their passion (or if their passion is more of a fun hobby). Don't worry, goals or the direction of your business is going to change, but I believe having a well thought out goal or vision in mind helps keep you on track and allows others to help you execute your vision. Believe me, it takes a village to build businesses and execute ideas.

Second: Live, breathe, eat in the space! You should know everything there is to know about your industry. That means getting involved in the community and becoming a leader. The more you know, the better off you are. You want to be seen as the expert, that way companies see your value-add and bring you on to help with projects.

Third: Practice, practice, practice! I cannot stress this enough. The best performers I know are the ones that take class daily, teach class weekly and are great listeners. The more you practice, the more confidence you have and the more your personality can shine!

"If YOU believe they will believe"

Photographer Credit: Under Armour