When I made the decision to open my own personal training business and leave the security of a full-time teaching job, I was single and had no qualms at all about the giant leap I was making. It was scary, exciting and exhilarating.
I loved being my own boss: I wanted to drink all night on a Thursday, I just took Friday off. (I said I was young and single!) Then I met my husband to-be and we decided to have a baby. I never really thought about the implications my pregnancy would have on my business.
Because there was no maternity leave available to me, I had saved enough money for my big three months I was going to take off of work and felt confident that my baby would come on schedule, sleep through the night by three months, and off I would go, back to work.
Well, the universe had a surprise in store for me! I went into labour suddenly at 26 weeks and my son was born weighing 2 pounds. Suddenly my whole world changed. I could hardly function. I didn't care about anything but my son, but I had to deal with my business, call clients, work on programs for them, figure out finances.
We were living in a different city so we could be with my son while he was in hospital for three months and were away from family and friends. I started exercising again about two weeks after my c-section (I know, bad) but it really helped me feel normal again - a little like my old self. It made me really understand the power of exercise, and routine in my life.
I had to be off work for 7 months, unpaid, leaving my clients to fend for themselves. Some went to other trainers or gyms, some waited for me. It was such a hard time for me and for my business. I had second thoughts about even going back to it - maybe I needed the security of a real job. Then I remembered how I felt when I started working out again after my baby, and realized that I was really helping people through my business.
In the end, my business was one of the things that helped get me through those times. It gave me a focus and a goal. It is my passion and I want to succeed at it for my son. I really feel like I help people and make their lives better, and it fulfills me, which in turn makes me a better mom.
Choosing my own hours and schedule is great with a busy 2 year old at home.(He is perfect and healthy, by the way) I don't go out drinking on a Thursday night anymore, but I could if I wanted to.
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