About 2 and a half years ago, I got certified through ACE as a personal trainer.
At the time, I’d been working full time as a project planner at the BIC (big insurance company) and landed a personal training job a couple months later. For about 5 months, I’d work 40 hours a week at the office, and before and after, several hours a day, I’d train clients in the gym and in-home. It was exhausting, to say the least.
Basically, I was overworked, overtired, cranky, and unhappy. After about four months of this, and much deliberation with Shane, I went to my company and gave them an ultimatum of sorts – either they let me cut my hours in half, or I would have to resign. Unable to staff me as part time in the area I was working, I ended up giving my three-week’s notice. However, during that last week, I was notified they had found an area that could use a part-time planner as a temporary assignment for someone who was leaving on maternity leave and asked me to stay part-time. Perfect!
Well, long story short, that temporary assignment turned into a permanent one – working between 20-25 hours at the BIC as well as personal training, and that’s where we are today. Well, at least that’s where we were last week…
The Next Chapter
…Because things have changed. It’s time for the next chapter of this funny thing called life.
Last week, I gave my notice of resignation. again. For good, this time. My last day in that corporate world is next Friday.
But there’s more…
For the past couple of months, clientele has been booming. I’ve been going back and forth about doing it full time for quite a while. However, recently the owner of the gym I train clients at announced he was moving on (into the insurance world, ironically) and asked me to take over management of the gym. And I said yes.
That’s right! You’re looking at the new manager of a gym!!
I’m both ecstatic and terrified. Isn’t that what that face reflects? 
In the back of my mind, I’ve always dreamt of owning my own gym, and this will give me a taste for what it’s like, both good and bad.
Now What?
Nothing much will change here on the blog, except my lunchtime posts won’t be about my cubemates or food days or co-worker gossip anymore. However I’m sure there will be some exciting stories to tell in my new job 
I’ll finish out my time at the BIC, and then work toward transitioning management of the gym. I’ll still keep all of my clients, and keep working to get more, but I’m excited for where this journey takes me.
I can’t help but think that this was all meant to be – even though I hate that expression (everything is meant to be!) with a fiery passion. At first I wanted to just completely switch from a full time planner to a full time trainer, but what if that would have burnt me out? Or not been financially stable enough at a few points in time? Or not lead me to meet some important people in my life? It’s like my patience was rewarded. Two and a half years (a little more!) after I started the shift toward making a career in fitness, it’s happening. It’s just crazy how life works sometimes…
And that both frightens me and thrills me.
Congratulations!!! Hard work pays off
Congrats, Paige! That’s so awesome, wishing you the best in this new phase!
Congrats – that’s so exciting!!
Congrats! That is so exciting! You will do great
Congratulations on the next step!! Though I think you’ll be fantastic at managing the gym, you’ve got this!
Congrats Paige!! It sounds like a really great opportunity doing something you really love!! Wishing you nothing but the best in your new fitness career!
Wow Paige, that’s great news! Congrats!
Congratulations…that is so exciting!
Congratulations that is soo amazing!!! Welcome to the next chapter of your life!
Yay Paige!! So happy for you girl, congratulations
Congrats!!!
Happy you can do the things you love!
ahhh how exciting!! congratulations paige! that is wonderful news, and i’m so happy for you. can’t wait to hear about your journey!
Eee! So exciting
Conratulations.
You’ll be great!
Wow, this is huge!! Congratulations, I think that you’ll be an awesome gym manager!
Congrats!!!!! That is so exciting! I’m sure this is going to be something that you love and will totally excel at
Congrats, Paige!! I had a feeling your announcement would involve you leaving the BIC, and I’m so glad it’s for such an amazing opportunity. I can’t wait to hear your stories about starting this new endeavor. You’re going to be great at it!
Congrats on the new job! That sounds so exciting!
Congrats! You sound really excited for what is to come. Best wishes!
OMG!!! I am SO SO SO HAPPY for you!!!! This is huge and totally a “meant to be” kind of thing — a natural transition on your path, I totally and firmly believe that. YAY YOU!!!!
AHHH! So exciting! Love hearing about people reaching their goals/dreams and being able to do what they want for a job. My husband and I are opening a gym on April 1! I’m still in the corporate world…for now and doing that whole overworked, overtired, cranky thing you mentioned, but I know it won’t be forever!
Congrats! Sounds like an amazing opportunity!
Congrats Paige! You inspire me, and give me more faith that I will end up in a career in the industry I want to be a part of someday
Congratulations! You will do great because you are passionate about what you do! Best of luck to you.
Oh, how cool!! Gym manager! That’s quite an awesome thing to take on. Proud of you, girl!
Congrats!!! Happy to hear the great news
CONGRATS!!! How exciting!!!
Congrats! That is great news. You’ll do an awesome job managing the gym!!
Congratulations! That’s so exciting! I love to hear success stories, especially ones with twists and changes.
Congratulations – that is so exciting!! You go girl haha
That’s really awesome, congrats!
Wonderful news!!! Right where you need to be – in the gym!
Woop wop! That’s right. Thanks, Lindsay
That is so exciting Paige! Congratulations!
Congrats Paige! That is amazing news! I’m sure you’re going to love it. I wish you the best!
Thank you, Amy!
That is so exciting! Congrats and I agree, hard work pays off!
Congratulations! That’s some amazing news! You’ll rock it!
U GO GIIIIRRRLLL! so proud of you!!! ooowwwwwwooowwww! cute pic also- shows real emotion! and excitement! so happy for u P!
XOXOXOXO
LOVED
gahhhhhhhhhhh CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yay! So proud of you!
Congratulations, Paige! It’s always the BEST thing when things turn out in the best way possible and we have a feeling that we couldn’t have baked it any better
… so yeah, let’s just say that “meant to be” is like “baking your dream and it comes true”. A lot less terrifying and weirdly phrased …kind of 
Ahhh congrats!!!!!! That’s SO exciting for you and I think you’ll love the new changes because I can tell the passion you have for fitness and personal training just through the blog!
Hooray! So happy for you! I look forward to hearing more about your new opportunity. Just being in an environment you love and have a true passion for will make you so happy.
AHHHHHHHH That’s so exciting!!!! Congratulations!!! That sounds like such an awesome job and more fitted to what you love!
Congrats! Big changes like that are always scary, but I’m sure you will LOVE it!!
In retrospect, does it seem as though you’ve been progressing this way for a bit? I hope you are congratulating yourself. How exciting! All the best.
Congratulations Paige! I’m so excited for you! It’s kind of funny how we are working in opposite directions. I just quit my management job at the gym to focus on my clients more. I hated quitting the desk job, but I was beyond overwhelmed with school, the kids, workload…something had to give. Luckily, I still see all of them when I go in to work my clients at the gym. I am so happy for you!
It sounds like you are definitely on the right path! What an exciting time for you — congratulations!
Congratulations girl! What an exciting opportunity!
OH MY GOODNESS< CONGRATS!! Can i come work for you now?
xxoo
UM. yes. I’d love that!!!
awesome!!! way to keep pushing for what you want and soo excited for you!
Congratulations!!! This is awesome news for you and I can’t wait to read about where this takes you!
Thanks, Laura! I can’t wait to see where it takes me either!
haha
congrats girl!!! so excited for you!
WOW WOW WOW BIGGGGGGGGGGG Congrats to you my love
Congrats!
That is amazing news for you! Good luck with everything!!
Congrats girl!!! this is so exciting! wish you all the best
Awesome girly!
What a great opportunity that opened up for you. Congrats! You’ll do just fine.
Outstanding….jealous!
I am thrilled for you! Congrats!
This is too awesome! Yay! Congrats on this exciting move! My personal trainer owns his own company and we all LOVE him. He even built his own studio. He is very successful and loves his work and I know you will too!
WOW Paige! Congrats! What an honor to be asked to take over the gym…so neat.
Just reading this now but wanted to let you know I’m excited (with the rest of these supportive peeps) about this transition! You will do amazing – that much is clear. Hope it’s as smooth as possible and that you can enjoy the process. 
Thank you so much, Bonnie!