I’ve been meaning to write this for some time, but just haven’t because it feels “icky”. I don’t like icky. I like fun and upbeat and positive. But sometimes icky happens.
Back in October I was asked to come in and interview for a Spin Instructor position at a local gym. Excited, I got the job and started my class – 5:30am Wednesday mornings. I crafted playlists, practiced each on my own bike in my garage. I remembered all the classes I had been in and what I loved about various instructors and strived to incorporate those characteristics into my own profiles. It went well and I even had a few regulars!
Two days before Christmas, I got an email from the gym owner asking if I had any thoughts on why the attendance was so low in my class. (I am literally nauseous as I type this. I hate sucking at stuff.) I mentioned that the last couple of classes had double the previous attendance, that we were in the middle of the holidays, etc. I got an email the next day that I was “moved to the sub list”. That’s the gym’s way of saying, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” The gym just wasn’t into me.
Ouch.
Have I mentioned I detest sucking at stuff? Oy. It stung. Not even gonna lie. My fellow spin instructor friend told me that it was a sucky time slot and did her best to make me feel better, but it still didn’t change the fact that I wasn’t a big enough “draw”.
When a door closes, a window opens….or something like that. For the past 2 years, I’ve been working out bootcamp-style in my driveway with my mom, sister, neighbors, and who ever else wanted to join us. After a bit of a break through the holidays, it was time to get back to work!
These ladies that I work out with are fellow neighborhood spouses, some bring their kiddos, and we meet in our navy housing community center gym. It’s open, warm, and not being used, so why not? We’ve been adding to our numbers and steadily growing as one friend tells another, and another and so on. What I love about this group is the fact they they are all willing to be my guinea pigs! They let me practice teaching, finding my voice as an instructor, and I learn and grow with them. We all get accountability to stay active (which we all need!) and we meet others in our military housing communities.
Too often, especially here in the northwest where the weather in the winter months is oppressively grey and depressing, it’s easy to just stay inside and wait until the weather improves to get out and be active. Staying inside leads to isolation – and if you’ve ever been through a deployment, isolation is rough. When the only adult conversation (or momversation) you have is the grocery checkout lady, it’s time to get out and get moving!
All of this to say, while it didn’t feel good to get canned, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be: working out with my friends (sometimes hollering at them!) staying active, and learning as much as I can as I study for my next certification.
The breeze from that open window feels so good.
Have you ever been let go from a job you loved? What got you through it?
Life and Other Stuff 
What do you think?