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LIFE&FAMILY
162
May15
#4
PREVIOUS CAREER:
Sales Representative, Three Dots, Chicago Apparel
Center, US.
Best part of the job:
New York trade shows and fashion
shows, visiting clothing boutiques all over the Midwest,
representing a clothing line that I loved, and working
with amazing people. It was a very hard job to give up.
Biggest challenges:
It’s a tough market, and it was hard
seeing boutiques go out of business, and the people
who had put their hearts and souls into them.
Inspiration for career change:
I have always exercised,
but in my third and last pregnancy I started Pilates to
counter terrible back pain, and I loved the results; I was
stronger and more flexible, and I lost my baby weight.
NEW CAREER:
Certified Pilates Academy International Mat and
Reformer Teacher, trained in pre- and postnatal.
Reason for choice:
We moved here seven years ago
and I got pregnant before really starting my job search.
Now with three little boys at home, I was ready for
something different that would allow me flexibility
around the needs of my family, but put me back in the
working world. When I saw the Pilates teacher-training
course, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.
Best part of the job:
Challenging clients in each and
every class, but also making sure they are having fun;
teaching prenatal and postnatal clients and hearing
about their pregnancies, and then seeing their babies.
I love when my clients see the positive results in their
own bodies.
Bigget challenge:
The hours of study required for the
certification exam – not only Pilates, but anatomy and
biomechanics, practice teaching, and self-practice.
Most satisfying achievement:
Through Pilates
instruction I can inspire and motivate clients to
improve their core strength, flexibility, focus, and
overall wellbeing.
Old job versus new job
:
I honestly can’t say which one
I prefer. I’m hoping that down the road I can merge
them together – open my own studio, with a boutique
attached to it.
Jenny O'Malley, American
USEFUL ADVICE
Change is not always easy and can
be intimidating, but the result is
deeply rewarding.