Redefining your mind

For the last 12 years of my life, I was blessed to grow up beside someone that affected my life in the most positive way, and who also helped me to flourish as an individual. This week’s ChikChat post is very dear to my heart because I get to showcase my wonderful best friend, and all of her strengths and attributes that make her who she is.
Juliette Shanahan is currently an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, at Anytime Fitness located on our home grounds of Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. She is also the owner of her own home-run personal training practice, Redefine by Juliette. Over the last year her practice has expanded from a free 30 minute consultation to boot camps that are run locally at beaches, parks, and eventually she hopes that they will take place in school systems. “The goal is to attract the younger generations in a way that will shape them into wanting to develop a healthier lifestyle.”
While currently pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy, she additionally works as live-in Certified Nursing Assistant. When it comes to Julie, the word “caretaker” is an understatement. Although I would like to say I know her entire life story, her background as an up and coming business woman is something that really intrigued me. Julie is always looking to broaden her horizons and never turns down an opportunity to get more knowledge under her belt. From attending conferences that are nutrition focused, to workshops that get her involved with new fitness techniques there really isn't anything that she doesn't do- and here is what she had to say.

You recently responded to our CC entrepreneur post, what is your big picture for yourself for your entrepreneurial endeavors?
“My goal is to change the life of the younger generation, to adapt into a healthier lifestyle and push them in a direction to develop better lifestyle habits to avoid health issues and obesity in the future.”

What kind of education and training did you have to undergo?
“I went through with getting my personal training certification along with  nutrition consulting courses, currently right now becoming a health coach with a concentration in nutrition, along with pursuing a bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in nutrition.”

What has motivated you to want to become a business owner?  
“I have always known I wanted to work for myself. Being so young at only 22, and having experience in the field that you want to spend the rest of your life in, it's hard to take orders from other people. Being able to make my own schedule,  creating my own classes, learning how to get people interested, and creating a name for myself that people remember and talk about was kind of a brought me into it. I want to know if there's type of business inside and out and what better way to do it and running it yourself.”


Why are you so passionate about what you do?
“I've grown up in a family with mostly people who are overweight or have some kind of weight issue. I have always had a heart for fitness, but more on the side of getting people healthy internally as well as externally,  so they can live a better life, happier and healthier. It is amazing seeing the changes in people's lives, and the way you can affect them just by sharing your knowledge with them.”

What do you see as your biggest challenge?
“Time management is definitely my biggest challenge. Going to school, working as a live in nursing assistant, as well as trying to run my own business, time management is definitely the hardest thing. Making time for my business and building my clientele,  while staying in touch with clients and not falling behind on my homework. That is definitely the part I struggle the most with.”

What do you see as your biggest success?  
“So far I have worked with a couple of people who have seen really strong and positive results. I have these two clients in specific whom have both lost around 80 pounds since July, 2017. They are truly my biggest success story, and are actually getting married this coming September. I have been told multiple times that I have made the bride to be’s wedding the best day of her life already.”

What is one piece of advice you can offer those who want to get started as an entrepreneur in the future?
“Honestly, start small. Learn as much as you can, with such small things.  Master the little tasks, and accept help and guidance from people who have had more experience. It is also crucial to be able to handle constructive criticism. Don't get discouraged, let yourself fall and figure out how to pick yourself back up.  It's definitely a hard journey, but if you put your heart into it you are going to succeed.”

​Keep checking into ChikChat on Wednesdays to see what's happening next!♥

xoxo,
Alayna Anderson
Editorial Contributor 
Intern & Mini Badass in Training




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