Wednesday 25 April 2012

How did I get here today?

Everyone asks me how I got to where I am today so I decided to share this with you all. Its really a story of working hard and allowing the journey to happen.

I grew up in Denver Co, in a family that wasn't really active, I mean we did the family bike rides, and camping with hiking and all that but my parents weren't the all around athletes. I fell in love with sport, I loved the competition and the social aspect of it and I also loved challenging my body. I loved training for something and it show through directly through my performance.

When I went to college I didn't know what I wanted to do, I was your typical freshman college girl who was taking all general ed trying to figure out what the heck to do with my life. Then I found myself sitting in a Human Biology class loving every second of it, wanting to study and learn more I couldn't get enough. That's when I knew that I would be doing something with Anatomy and Physiology. My school had a great nursing program so naturally I thought that's what I would do. I was on track to do just that, until one day I had the opportunity to move to Portland Or. There's something you have to know about me, I will try anything once, and if it doesn't work out its not the end of the world for me. I love to be spontaneous and go on adventures, even if you don't know the outcome. Sometimes you find an amazing surprise.

That being said, I ended up in Portland in 2002 and that's where I live now. I had a really hard time getting started there, I had no friends or family or job. I started working at a restaurant, and going back to school. I graduated from PSU, and did my internship at a local Health Club that I belonged to and that's where it all started. I worked at a personal trainer there and then also got a job as a Sports Performance coach at Velocity Sports Performance. This is where I worked under one of the best guys I know. I learned so much from him and I contribute a lot of who I am today to him. So now I'm working 3 jobs, trying to build my clientele and build relationships with people because at the end of the day its all about who you know and how you interact with people. My dad always said "work really hard, never burn bridges, always treat people with respect, and never settle" So that's what I did.....

Then my boss at Velocity referred me to Nike and that's when my life changed.. I have been with Nike for 4 and half years and man oh man has my life changed for the better. I still pinch myself to see if this is all real. Nike then came to me and asked me what girls want from training? Which lead me to Nike Training Club,  becoming an ambassador for Women's Training and being able to help people better their lives and get in shape on a much larger scope.

Now its April of 2012 and I'm traveling the world for work, I get to help millions of people achieve their goals and build confidence, I get to educate people on fitness, train amazing trainers around the world, and be a part of something that I am extremely passionate about. I found my path and what I am suppose to do in life and that's here with Nike and spreading health and fitness around the world.

This is it in a nut shell, I could ramble on but I don't want to bore you too much haha!

Never doubt yourself, always walk through the door in front of you, work hard, treat people good, and always always be true to yourself and know that anything is possible.

4 comments:

  1. It has been cool watching your career grow from an intern at the health club to what you are doing now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing your story. It's so inspiring to see how other people in the fitness industry got their start and how opportunities arise. I sometimes get frustrated when I am trying to figure out which path to take and this helps me realize that it will all work out eventually and the struggles are just part of the process. You have had an amazing career and I am glad Nike picked you to be the face of Nike Women. Plus, I just can't get enough of NTC! Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marie!! This is really inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing your journey, I think you're the perfect girl they could've chosen to represent, and inspire us all! You're blazing the way for change in a new world of fitness for women everywhere!! #NTC is it!! xoxo ;-D

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW, that is amazing. It's such an inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing this.
    I think sometimes we get discouraged too easy and want things to happen for us right away.
    I think the advice your dad gave you is amazing. My dad gave me advice similar to that.
    I am so glad I have found NTC.

    ReplyDelete