By Lisa Greenbaum, Connie Beaulieu and Assata McKenzie
A few weeks ago, a collective of inspiring female Fit Pros all with nearly 20 years-experience each in the industry came together to share different ideas for earning revenue. Presented via webinar for The Women in Fitness Association (WIFA), it was an engaging and jam-packed hour. While nothing could have prepared us for the full shut down of our clubs and studios in March, we have only proven that fit pros are resilient and creative and will do what it takes to keep ourselves, our clients and the planet fit and healthy. While we all have multiple certifications and roles in the industry, we’ve broken it down to our main area of expertise to help showcase the many opportunities available. Here are just a few ways each of us have both built out our careers and managed in the past few months.
Assata McKenzie (Group Fitness – Big Box Gym)
I spent 7 years in the corporate fitness environment, while the majority of my teaching career has been inside the big box gym model. I teach a variety of classes from Yoga, dance, strength and cardio. If I had one word to describe my journey so far it would be serendipitous. I also say YES a lot (even when it’s free). Because of this, I’ve had opportunities as a fitness model, regular bookings on the Steven & Chris show and features in Chatelaine magazine. I am also a canfitpro PRO Trainer and teach part-time for Guelph-Humber College as part of their Fitness and Health Promotion program.
The shutdown was really tough because the bulk of the classes I teach are all licensed pre-choreographed programs. But I missed my connections with my students and so on my small condo balcony I created “Zoomba” my own dance program on zoom initially as a free resource for people. I was featured on CBC and then began to ask for a small donation from those that could. In one class alone I made $500. You never know what happens when you say YES!
Connie Beaulieu (Personal Trainer – In Home Studio)
My multiple streams of income include a seasonal outdoor boot camp. I also offer boot camps at local high schools as a special guest, lunch time corporate fitness classes, nutrition consulting, lunch & learns, Online Training & Program Design. I also founded ACTIVATE Fitness Conference & Events for the Ottawa area in 2014 and have a PRO TRAINing agency with canfitpro.
While I worked in commercial fitness facilities, I supplemented my income with non-competing revenues streams such as – being a Part-time Professor for Police Foundations & Canadian Forces (Fitness & Wellness) at Algonquin College, a PTS PRO TRAINER certifying hundreds of trainers for canfitpro directly in my clubs.
When the shutdown happened, I needed to pivot quickly in order to keep my business going. The majority of my clients took moving online in stride as we were both grateful to keep the workouts going. I was also able to shift my contract with corporate clients to an online format as well (I think there are a lot of current opportunities here). I recently re-opened my seasonal outdoor boot camp which has been easy to accommodate the social distance required.
Lisa Greenbaum (Yoga Teacher – Independent)
I began my career in the big box gyms as a fitness instructor, though always with Yoga in my heart. I spent 8 years as the Director of YogaFit Canada, and 9 as a Senior Master Trainer traveling around the world leading Yoga Teacher Trainings and presenting at conferences. I realized early on that my passion was on the education side and as I collected my certifications, I focused on being well rounded through the various mind/body offerings (following my heart) as well as opportunities in leadership and speaking roles. Today I diversify my income through a combination of teaching classes, one on ones, leading workshops and retreats through my new business Sangha Wellness Retreats and presenting at conferences and writing.
Success points for me the last few months have been an online “at home retreat” workshop series I started, virtual guest teaching for other studios and actually slowing down and recalibrating. I have also been writing a lot more, sending out article queries for different fitness/wellness magazines and completing the book proposal that I have wanted to do for years.
Assata McKenzie
Assata is passionately in love with all things fitness! She is a certified fitness professional and wellness consultant and she has been working in the corporate and commercial fitness industry for more than 10 years. Graduating with a B.A. from the University of Toronto and a postgraduate diploma in workplace wellness and health promotion, Assata has made a career of helping others meet their fitness and wellness goals.
Connie Beaulieu
Connie Beaulieu is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a Certified Personal Trainer, an Entrepreneur, a Fitness Educator and Mentor. For over 20 years, Connie has influenced thousands of lives through her Personal Training, Coaching and Fitness Education Career. Connie owns and operates C.U.Fit Personal Training; specializing in Personal, Group Training, Boot Camps and Corporate Fitness in Ottawa, ON (under Corp: The Fitness Station (Ottawa) Ltd.). In 2014, Connie founded ACTIVATE, a series of inspiring events that unite Fitness Professionals and Enthusiasts for a day of education, connection, and motivation
Lisa Greenbaum
E-RYT 500, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist & Author. Lisa has a strong passion for fitness, yoga and movement. She is the founder of Sangha Wellness Retreats, empowering her students through the practice of yoga and community. 2018 Canadian Presenter of the Year for canfitpro, and Optimyz Magazine’s top 100 Health and Fitness Influencers in Canada 2017-2020, Lisa has been teaching since 2001.
