Anyone who has been a sub knows what a gut punch it is when you step in front of an empty classroom. Or worse people actually walk out on you! This is what happens when our students imprint on us as instructors. While flattering to the ego it can make it difficult to get anyone to fill in for you and ultimately does your students a disservice.

In part 2 of our fit pro success series, we talk about the importance of breaking the guru mentality no matter what the format you teach and some ways to do that.

If you’ve spent any time in a gym as an instructor, coach or student you’ll come across the occasional sub. Either you’ll need one or be one or meet one. Subbing is one of the most underrated skills in the fitness industry. This series will address how to use subbing to expand your professional credibility, master your craft, create strong boundaries and cultivate your authentic voice.

In part 1 we explore the benefits of subbing to your fitness career.

How to use it to break into new markets, build experience, skill and “oil you feathers” as you find your authentic voice.

In this episode we discuss when you might want to say “yes” with intention and when to say a mindful “No”.

This is part of holding space. This is the ultimate skill as an instructor.

Setting boundaries is key. Those boundaries apply to you as the instructor and to your students and they serve to protect your entire class from things like judgment, unhealthy competition and unrealistic expectations.

Sex, religion, money and politics. Those are the taboo topics, right? I think there are some situations where in wellness coaching you may want to address sex, religion or spirituality and maybe even money. But for me politics has always been a third rail, a hard limit and here’s why.

Tawnia Converse is an experienced yoga teacher and mentor and the creative force behind A Soulful Space LLC virtual healing arts studio. Tawnia retired from the Marine corps after 20 years of service as a Spanish linguist and intel analyst and now she supports women in their spiritual journey back to become whole, radiant and sovereign souls through yoga.

Tawnia has an incredible journey and experience to share with her clients, students and fellow instructors in the wellness space and this promises to be a really interesting exploration as we learn a little bit more about Tawnia and take a look at how we can build a more authentic voice in our personal and professional lives.

So let’s start our work in with Tawnia Converse …

Last weekend I witnessed a summer camp for mostly grown ups with intense interest playing the guitar.

If it was yoga we would call it a week long intensive. Maybe a retreat. And we would weigh the cost/benefit of the continuing education and whether or not the credits are pre approved. Probably because that sounds better to adults. As adults why do we need to justify taking a week out of our real world to indulge ourselves in our passion?That thing we love to do that’s only for ourselves.

What if we could create our own summer camp to nourish and feed our soul? What if it lasted all summer? Or maybe all year? What would your summer camp look like?

We’ve talked about sleep, nutrition and movement and the things you can do, the small simple things you can do every single day that can have big lasting effects not just on your physical health but also your mental health. The last piece to the puzzle is connection. And it’s a big piece. Bigger than just one solo episode. So I thought I’d bring in some examples of how we can find connections between our health choices and our health and resilience. My guest today is Beth Kruger. Beth is a women's wellness educator, yoga instructor and coach. She’s spent her career supporting women through childbirth, lactation, pregnancy and fertility. She’s a business owner and entrepreneur and has led many women’s wellness retreats all over the world. Her current focus is on menopause and helping women over 40 through this transition.