Hi, I’m Bethany. I typically write a Training Tales post about my training and what race I may or may not be training for next. I also typically write one other post weekly about how I’ve made it my mission to help other driven career professionals keep being fit and maintain a high level of health without reaching burnout. Pilates and running along with health tips are the main things I typically share about.
Recent ultra marathon I finished at the end of September!
My Background
With 12+ years of business management experience as well as coaching experience, I bring you REAL-LIFE experiences. I have previous business startup experience as I managed 3 other businesses, I hold various fitness training certifications including, American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, STOTT Pilates Mat/Reformer Trainer, Certified TRX Trainer, and Certified Aligned Meditation Teacher, in addition to also having a B.S. in Exercise Science. I have also coached clients in a wide variety of settings: corporate sites, gym, studio, in-home, and currently do most of my coaching online. I am also an avid runner and have finished 3 ultra races, 9 marathons, as well as many other races.
I went through a really difficult period a few years back where I let my job/career life completely take my life over. I was managing a startup company at the time. I was keeping track of my work hours and found I was working between 85-88 HOURS each week. This went on for about 5 months until my body started to shut down.
At first, I had no idea my body was shutting down. I just thought I had a bad cold, or I was feeling “off” because it was wintertime.
This all came to a halt, when one Friday morning I was supposed to have a 6am meeting with the owner of the company I was managing at the time. I woke up, got dressed and ready for the day, proceeded to walk out of the master bathroom at the place I was living at the time, and woke up 3 hours later to staring directly at my bedframe from the floor! I had passed out and was about 2 inches from hitting my head on my bed frame- whew! I had not only just about smashed my head on my bed frame, but I had completely missed my 6am meeting with the owner of the company. I was mortified.
However, I tried to get up from the floor, and was unable to, because my head was hurting me so bad. I had a terrible migraine. I crawled over to my bedstand got my phone and saw I had about 10 missed calls from the owner of the company, along with about 50 text messages. My head was hurting even worse.
I knew something was really wrong with me as I again had trouble standing. I decided to call a former mentor of mine from a previous job I worked at and wanted to get her opinion about what I should do.
I call the woman, and she tells me I need to get to the hospital asap- I was shocked to hear this.
Fast forward, I eventually make my way out of my living space, get into my car and drive myself to the hospital and get to the emergency room right away. Once there, the nurses admit me right away.
The doctor comes into the hospital room and tells me “Your body is shutting down” you have completely overworked yourself.
I again, was completely shocked to hear this. I never thought it was possible to overwork yourself to the point your body is shutting down. Ooof!!
From here, the doctor tells me I MUST resign from the job IMMEDIATELY!
Next, I send the most dreaded email to my boss, the owner of the company and tell him “I’m out. My body is shutting down. I’m done. I’m at the hospital.”
They keep me overnight in the hospital and then order a psych evaluation for the next day. Then before releasing me from the hospital, the doctor writes me a note and says I must be on bedrest for 5 weeks!
This was again shocking for me to hear. No job, ONLY bedrest for 5 weeks.
Fast forward, my life came to an abrupt halt, and I had to let my body heal for 5 weeks. This was during this time where I decided I needed to be in the driver seat of my health being the #1 important thing in my life and that I needed to have a job/work situation that did not overtake my life. This is the experience that led me to starting my own online coaching business. And since doing so, I have not reached any form of burnout or had my health decline. In fact, I have probably become my healthiest self! I have finished multiple marathons and ultramarathons since that really terrible time.
“During this time is where I decided I needed to be in the driver seat of my health being the #1 important thing in my life and that I needed to have a job/work situation that did not overtake my life.”
My “Why”
Since the bad experience of dealing with my body shutting down, winding up in the hospital, and being forced to resign from my job from a hospital bed, I have made it my mission to help “Elevate Your Life.”
I don’t want any other career-driven professionals to deal with the same downfall of their health that I experienced. My current goals in addition to helping others improve their health and fitness, is to build lasting relationships and to help educate others that being fit is meant to be a “lifestyle” and is not equivalent to just signing up for a “membership.” Improving your health and fitness level should happen from anywhere, not just be reserved to taking place inside a gym or studio building.
This is why being able to coach others in the online space just makes sense. I can help you improve your health and fitness level from any location! And I will do my best to ensure you never reach the level of burnout I previously experienced in the time we spend working together. I really enjoy working with those that have a specific fitness or performance-based goal, so if you’re ready to take your fitness to the next level connect with me too see how you can work with me at the button below.
If you’re feeling inspired to begin, I’d love to help you take that first step!
-Join my newsletter for weekly Pilates tips, motivation, beginner to intermediate friendly resources, or book a call with me to get started in my 8-week Pilates Beginner Pilates Series- designed to help you build strength, confidence, and consistency from the ground up.
