Who could ever realize that seemingly small decisions you make as a teen can so greatly impact where you land as an adult? As a sophomore in high school, I decided on a whim to take up tennis and joined the team. I played through high school, earning my Varsity letter as a junior and receiving the MVP award my senior year. After high school, I searched for a full-time job, and my mom found an ad for a local tennis club hiring an evening shift assistant manager. I applied and was chosen (still at age 17!) out of over 20 candidates.
This position painted the way for my future more than I could have ever known. It led me to my next job after the club closed, encouraged by a doctor who was a member at the club. Shadow Valley Tennis Club contacted me a few years later, as they needed a new manager for one of their two locations. I was recommended by colleagues from my first tennis club job. I became the manager of this club at age 21.
While in this role, we went through the software conversion with Jonas Fitness and Compete. I became the main point of contact for the project and was the go-to person at our locations for any Compete questions. Our trainer throughout the process was really great and seemed really passionate about her job. We maintained contact post-conversion with questions and suggestions I had in relation to the software. She commended my attention to detail and thoroughness in my thought processes. I ended up asking if Jonas ever hired new trainers, and she said she’d let me know! A year later, I received a phone call that Jonas was, in fact, looking for a new trainer. I applied and started in my current role as an Implementation Specialist in February 2020.
It has been a humbling and empowering journey thus far from when I started my first job at age 17. I have been given opportunities in positions that aren’t always given to women. In fact, thinking about ALL of my jobs and supervisors, they have all been women! I love collaborating with and raising up other women from all walks of life, personal and professional. One of the most enlightening features of the Jonas family is its diversity and equality.
When speaking to other women, I encourage them to always take the chance, voice their opinion and worth, and keep pushing forward. Displaying passion, drive, and persistence will eventually take you where you want to be. I am a strong believer in controlling your own destiny; you control your happiness. Decision-making is challenging yet empowering but shapes and changes your life. It was a massive decision to leave the club where I was comfortable for 11 years, but I have no regrets. I wanted something more and wanted to prove that I could take on a role that was very outside of what I was used to in previous positions.
When I’m not training or supporting clients, I am a mom to two boys, ages 3 and 5. I am married to my high school sweetheart, and we all love to camp in the summer! The outdoors can’t be beaten, and in the summer months, you can usually find me working in the gardens, taking a walk, or playing a game of catch with the boys. I am happiest in the sun and near the water! I also still play tennis weekly, both recreationally and competitively. I enjoy fitness, reading, crafting, decorating (I have a degree in Interior Design!), and running my skincare and makeup business on the side. My husband pokes fun at me for all of my “side gigs” over the years, including but not limited to: cupcake baking, upcycling furniture, high school assistant tennis coach, interior designer, Christmas gift wrapper, and more! I love trying new ventures and feel the sky is the limit!
