It’s taken me a while to find a routine in SF and with a life update or two to share, you’ll see where the journey has taken me so far.
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know, but I’ve got some life updates for you! When MM and I moved to SF last summer, it was the perfect time to give teaching fitness full-time a try. It had always been an alternate path I’d considered in the back of mind. Very quickly, I realized it was not for me. I have an entire post devoted to why, and I’ll be sharing that next week, but for now let’s just say I was not super happy with my routine, salary and overall quality of life.
There were definitely some positives to the routine though. Mainly it was perfect for getting settled in a new city, meeting a lot of people very quickly, and the flexibility was helpful while planning a wedding across the country. With all my trips back east and a honeymoon, it made sense to have a fairly flexible schedule until things calmed down. Also, not working a 9-5 gave me tons of time to hang out with my dog, but unfortunately cuddling with Ollie does not pay the bills. If only…
Life Update: Work
But trust me, it was not just about the money. There were a lot of things that led me to want to find a full-time job in SF. I started my job hunt casually towards the end of 2016 and then got more focused in the new year. Holiday timing is probably the worst time to look for a job, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Emotionally, there were a lot of ups and downs as I looked for a job. Moments of excitement when I came across a role that looked promising, and moments of despair when nothing looked appealing.
But I kept at it and reminded myself that everything happens for a reason. My big goal was to find a marketing job in the health/wellness/fitness world, but I was open to exploring anything and everything, casting a wide net. In my search, I came across things I thought I was qualified for but wasn’t particularly passionate about. I also came across things that I felt super passionate and excited about but wasn’t actually qualified for. But then, I found a role that almost seemed too perfect to be true. A marketing job at a company focused on wellness, hallelujah!
I’m in week three of working on brand partnerships at Fitbit and while I have a ton to learn (going from publishing to tech is no joke), I feel extremely fortunate to have this opportunity and to be working for a company that I truly believe in–I’ve been wearing a Fitbit for years!
Life Update: Teaching
And thanks to my new work hours, I had to make huge edits to my teaching schedule. When I was in NYC I taught 2 classes a week before work. I loved the balance, teaching a little bit to compliment my 9-5. My weekly class schedule in SF before my new job was 12+ classes a week, and I was ready to drop that down.
First up I quit Orangetheory. As much as I love the actual workout and think that it can truly change your body, I did not like teaching it. Also, Orangetheory expects their teachers to devote a lot of time to the studio and it’s not possible if you also have a traditional office job (like OTF meetings in the middle of the day). Quickly and easily I dropped OTF from my schedule.
Next, I tried to hang onto one of my three classes at Core40, but unfortunately, that only lasted a couple of weeks. I quickly realized that I was overdoing it and for my mental and physical health, I had to cut this one too. I love the laid back and friendly vibe of this studio so I was sad to drop the class, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
And that leaves me with Equinox. Full disclosure, Equinox is my fave. I’ve been with the company for 9 years and it’s a well-run business, respects its instructors, encourages growth and understands my scheduling as many instructors also work full-time jobs. Also, do you know how much money I’ve saved not paying for an Equinox membership for 9 years? A lot.
So my beloved Equinox is the only place I’m teaching now. For my SF readers, my schedule is below. If you’re interested in checking out a class, shoot me and message and I’d love to have you as my guest.
Equinox Class Schedule
- Mondays 6:30 am Cycling @ Pine St.
- Mondays 6:15 pm Precision Running @ Pine St.
- Mondays 7:05 pm Bootcamp @ Pine St.
- Wednesdays 6:45 pm The Pursuit Cycling @ Pine St.
- Thursdays 6:30 pm STACKED! @ EQ Sports Club Market Street
Compared to my two classes in NYC, this schedule of 5 seems a bit overwhelming, however, I think I’ve got it. I’m giving myself time to try it out and see how it goes, and if it does become too much, I’ll be easy on myself if I have to drop something. On Mondays, I teach three classes (1 before work, 2 after), which is pretty exhausting, but it gets most of my classes out of the way and then the rest of the week seems like a breeze!
Life Update: Seeking Balance
Getting back to the working world and seeking balance between an office job and some side hustles has re-inspired me in this space. I’m excited to share my experiences of constantly searching for that ever elusive balance.
So if you’ve been wondering what I’ve been up to SF, there’s a quick glimpse at what life’s been like lately. While I won’t talk much about my job in this space (though I’ll probably be coming atchu with my favorite Fitbit products in a post soon), I wanted to give you that little status update.
Next week I’ll be back with more of an inside scoop at what it was like teaching fitness full-time. Chat with ya then, friends!
