I don’t talk about this often…. but I quit studying for graduate school after 2.5 days.
I just couldn’t convince myself to do it.
At the time, I had just returned from playing soccer and backpacking in South America and the Middle East and going back to school was what everyone else was doing, so I felt like I should be doing it too.
I was embarrassed to quit studying and felt like I would be letting my parents down by not going back to school.
But, there was something pulling me.
The first thing was I hated being in a classroom.
I’ve always felt confined and could never sit still at a desk. The thought of 2 or 4 or however many more years of that did not sound fun.
The second thing was that I would be pursuing an MBA and taking classes like statistics and accounting sounded tedious and boring at the time. (well, they still do)
I knew that going back to Europe to chase the dream of playing more pro soccer wasn’t an option and some of the places I went and people I met in South America had really inspired me to try and make a difference in other people’s lives.
At the time I figured the best way I could make a difference was to help people with their health.
So, I got re-certified as a personal trainer.
Starting looking for a job,
Took a minimum wage job at a gym that I could walk to because I didn’t own a car.
Starting building my own personal training business inside the gym.
Launched an outdoor Bootcamp at the park.
Opened my first location.
Then the next.
Kept expanding.
Impacted thousands of lives.
A somewhat embarrassing (at the time) decision shaped my destiny.
If I had stayed the path of going back to school I most likely would not be writing you this email.
I’d probably be in an office somewhere, at a desk, not helping people with their health and fitness, likely not doing work I love to do.
But now I find myself in a tough spot.
I’m a small business owner in the middle of a pandemic and a recession.
Now I think about this decision and wonder if life would be better if I was protected by the corporate vail.
Meaning, you have this job in this big firm and you get paid your same salary to work from home, you have a nice benefits package and stock options.
Or, you get unemployment if you get laid off.
There are days where I think about that life.
Then I snap back into reality and show intense gratitude for my choice.
The freedom to do the work that I love to do.
The freedom to live my life the way I want.
Is there more on my shoulders?
Yes.
Is there more responsibility?
Yup.
Is it stressful at times?
You bet!
But I am in control.
I rely on no one else.
If I want to change my schedule around so I can help home-school my kids, I don’t have to ask anyone.
If I want to implement the changes I think will do the best job keeping my clients safe, I can do that.
I feel good about the impact we have on people’s health and fitness every day.
I say this to you today because as hard as this is right now, there’s a lot to fight for.
Take it one day at a time.
There is no playbook for this.
You’re doing great.
Stay true to what you believe is the right thing to do.
Champions do more.
PS: I have a handful of FREE 3 day passes to my small group personal training program. Let me know if you or a friend might want one! EMAIL ME >>>>>>>>>ian@ianfitness.com