Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Clark.
Hi Lauren, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before the onset of the Covid pandemic, I had an office job that was one parking lot over from the gym I attended. Since it was super convenient to go before or after work, this became my routine.
Like many people, however, my schedule completely changed after the lockdowns started. I began working from home and continued to do so for the next year and a half. When the gyms finally came back around, it was not as convenient for me to attend since I was at home. I tried other gyms in my area as well but was feeling a little bit bored with them. It was also harder for me to get motivated to go since I was already at home and not out and about.
In an attempt to get remotivated, I was looking on YouTube at rebounding classes. I had done some trampoline-based classes while living in Brazil years prior, so was thinking about getting back into that. In my search, I happened to stumble upon a workout class where they were utilizing the Kangoo boots. I thought it looked kind of strange, but also fun.
Eventually, I figured out why not, and I ended up getting a pair. I was hooked immediately! I have always liked group fitness classes where it feels fun, like dance-based classes. I felt a joy with this however that was reminiscent of how you feel in childhood; That happy-go-lucky feeling before the real world takes over. And it was convenient because I would just work out at home.
My Covid hobby turned into a passion and I improved on my skills over the next year. Then I started to take the moves I had learned and create my routines. It gave me a creative outlet while also serving as my workout. I thought it would be so cool to have this class in my area, but I was too busy to go down that path then.
Meanwhile, I was feeling a lot of stress from my job. I was moving up the ladder but was finding myself very unhappy with corporate life. I was working crazy hours and generally unhappy. I think many people were questioning their path during this time, and I was definitely in that category.
There were also a few people around me who had passed away. My neighbor was also dying from cancer and watching someone go through that is tough. I was tired of hopping on Zoom calls and pretending that life is great, as you have to do in the corporate world. When things like this happen, you see how quickly life can change; and that in turn changes your perspective. I questioned why I am wasting my time at this job I hated. I was 38 and was thinking about the next years and chapters of my life, as many also do as they approach 40.
My husband could feel how tense and stressed I was all the time. After some discussion, we decided I would quit my job and take a break. It is really hard to quit knowing the reliability of a paycheck, no matter how miserable it is. But we could afford it and I needed it for my mental health.
It was then I started working towards my goal of sharing my creations! I first worked on getting my group fitness certification. I then began learning how to start a business. There is so much to learn, and I have never tried anything like this before. I got my LLC in January, and since have been working on items like liability insurance and financials. I am trying to build relationships and just see where this takes me. I recently met the owners of Head First Bungee and will have some events with them, which is super exciting. I have a lot of ideas and goals, but also trying to be mindful of growing at the right pace. It is important to get out there to see what people think about it.
It is scary sometimes because you do have to go all in; you have to be vulnerable and reach out to people you don’t know. You have to go on social media and put yourself out there, knowing there is a chance you could fail. (And knowing some people probably think that I’m nuts). But why not? If I don’t try, I won’t know what I am capable of. And I would like to think that I am capable of more than sitting at my desk job stressing out until retirement.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think self-doubt or imposter syndrome can sneak in, especially since I am in a sense just getting started. I know I have something new and different that a lot of people will love, but until I reach a certain level of success, I still worry about failure. My parents are highly educated and pushed me in that direction, but they are not business minded or entrepreneurial. I did not grow up in that environment and I am learning as I go.
I think with that, I am almost a little too cautious which has slowed me down to an extent. I am trying to make calculated risks, but deciding on which direction to go in or how quickly to move has been a struggle. It is hard to know the balance between confidence in what I have and not making rash decisions that might hurt my business in the future.
(Or bankrupt us). I know every business owner has “hindsight is 2020” stories from when they were getting started however, and understand sometimes you just have to try and make the best decisions you can and if does not work, you learn. I am trying to go with the flow!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I have loved about this transition from corporate to starting my own fitness business is that I feel like this is where I can be “me.” Before starting this, I felt like a fake version of myself. I think sometimes in corporate many people often think “Who is this person?” Now I get to be my quirky weird, self. I’ve leaned into this part of who I am. I get to embrace it!
As far as what sets me apart: I am so excited to share this and build a community. Fitness should be fun, and that is what I want to illustrate to others. I don’t want to count reps, I want to feel like we are all at a party.
Additionally, I have been creating my workouts for over a year now and I am so excited to share them. I am proud of myself for figuring out that I can do this. I would practice for hours and hours on end. You know you enjoy something when time flies though. It might look easy, but it takes a lot of work.
And when you are super passionate and you are proud of your work; when it’s your blood sweat, and tears, you want to show it off. It is on a different level than working for a paycheck and waiting for Friday all week. The feeling when someone starts to catch on and have that “Aha” moment, is joyful and rewarding. I love being in front of the group and everyone is having fun and getting healthier because of something I made out of nothing.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I think there are two main lessons from over the past couple of years. First is to listen and believe in yourself. Life is short, why not try all the things you want? You will otherwise live to regret it.
And second, is to be yourself and go with the flow of life. I think so much of my 20s and even my 30s were so focused on things like fitting in, getting a good job, finding my place, finding that special person, etc. I am now almost 40 and I think this next chapter is about embracing who I am with no shame, regret, or worrying about what others think. For example, not everyone finds their passion at 20 years old, and it’s okay!
It’s awesome to start a business at 39. It’s okay to follow your path and not be bound by societal rules. I think especially as women, we often fear this “expiration date” society has inflicted upon us. An expiration date on beauty, energy, goals, and even love. That is a straight-up lie. I have so much more to accomplish. I have much more insight than I did when I was younger, and nothing can stop a woman on a mission.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @n2jumpfit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089609745685&mibextid=ZbWKwL
