We recently connected with Amber Hoover and have shared our conversation below.

Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Throughout my early education and college years, I knew I wanted a secure job with a stable salary and a guaranteed paycheck. I was never attracted to commission-based roles. I wanted certainty in my income and financial future. Upon graduating, I quickly accepted a corporate insurance position and was content with the security it promised as a “real” job.

However, after a year in the professional realm, I began to realize that a desk job was too stifling. I chose to return to my passion and work I did in high school as a self-defense coach. I initially believed I could balance the monotony of a 7 am to 5 pm routine with the joy of my evening hobby but it just wasn’t enough.

Driven by a desire for fulfillment, I crunched some numbers to find out how to make ends meet and proposed a full-time role at the training center where I taught. Transitioning from the security of 401Ks and dental insurance to the uncertainty of “figuring it out” as I went was daunting. However, prioritizing my well-being, I took the leap. It was been the best decision I could make for my overall health and happiness.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been involved in martial arts since I was 6 years old. My dad told me that training was forever but I don’t think he ever expected me to take that so seriously. As I entered into my teen years I started teaching youth classes, developing my skills through leadership training, and competition and demo teams. By high school, I trained in realistic self-defense applicable sports such as krav maga, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu.

While college took up much of my time, I would train on-and-off when I could. Once I settled into the real world post-graduation, I wanted to reignite that part of my life and I jumped in with everything I had. My evenings and weekends quickly became filled with training and teaching.

Honestly, when I first made the jump from a corporate job to teaching and running a martial arts center, it was entirely selfish. I wanted a better work-life balance. I wanted a job that allowed me to move, jump, run, and be active. Even if that meant mopping floors I was happier than sitting in front of a computer.

It wasn’t for another few years until I learned how impactful my role was. On the surface I offer safety and security – personal protection in an ever-changing world. More than that though was the confidence that students felt from classes. The willingness to do hard things, not to quit, and stand toe-to-toe with a problem and make the choice to face it.

Mostly, my students won’t need the punches and kicks they learn from me. They do need the health benefits of an active hobby, a way to relieve stress, a chance to escape reality for an hour each night, and camaraderie with others who have similar health and safety goals as themselves.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most helpful thing for succeeding as a self-defense coach is being intentional with the time you spend with them. They spend untold minutes or hours in traffic and commute to get to the training center. There’s no telling how their day went but it’s on you as the coach to give them a fun, effective experience that helps make them safer than they were when they walked in. Its a huge responsibility not to be taken lightly.

Any advice for managing a team?

Oftentimes, employers focus on who their employee is in the present. They then focus on making them a better version of the current person in the future. For me, I want to support growth in my employees in whatever path they choose for themselves, even if that means supporting them out the door to a new field.

I’ve had employees turned photographers. Employees turned lawyers. Employees turned moms. And while I’ve lost some great employees I remained committed to their happiness and future through their time with me and even after.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fittofight.com
• Instagram: @amberthize
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amberstak