We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamara Franklin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamara below.
Tamara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?
Tara Scott Barnes is a physical therapist, the owner of Club Pilates East Memphis, Club Pilates Collierville, and Club Pilates Memphis-Lakeland. I happens to be a full-time pilates instructor working out of all 3 studios. I’m blessed to have this position, because of her. I think very highly of her not only because I see she is a genuine ray of sunshine, but she makes sure her instructors have all they need to teach in a flourishing environment. I’ve always been grateful for my position even before I realized she was such a special person. During the shutdown we all around the world were put in a tight spot when it came to having the income to pay bills. I was fortunate to have some money put away and was able to move some of my personal training clients to virtual platforms in addition to teaching virtual classes for Club Pilates. I realized I had to make some budget changes to keep the lights on and I explained that to my boss who agreed to give me a financial loan. I told her would let her know if things went south and I would reach out. Thankfully my savings and the money coming from clients and classes I taught virtually for myself and Club Pilates got me through until the gym opened back up. She doesn’t know how grateful I am to have a boss that supports her employees with outside events and with family obligations.
Tamara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I recently got married on April 2, 2023, so I am Tamara Franklin formerly know as Tamara Prince-Parrish. I autographed my new signature on two poster boards after a show I recently performed in mid-May and it felt surreal, but right. I am proud to wear the Franklin name. I have a love for dance, fitness, history, arts, family, and self-care time. I’m first a dancer and I find myself dancing more for the fun of it now. Dance was my first passion and what I pursed with success for years. My new passions consist of fitness, life itself, and family. I love food, but I have to discipline myself around it, which is why I know I keep reinventing myself through my love of bodybuilding. When not bodybuilding I keep a goal body image in mind and I keep a watchful eye on my health as best as I can. I am human and I fall short in my diet all the time. I even issues with my body that I see I need to keep improving. I tell myself be kind to yourself woman. Lol. My industry is fitness. I’m currently a GYROTONIC Trainer, certified pilates instructor, dance professional, and personal trainer. I currently offer one on one 1 hour private GYROTONIC sessions, and small group personal training with custom nutrition plans and bi-weekly Check-ins. What sets me apart from any other trainer is, I cater to each client on a personal level to fully understand their needs and meet them where they currently are to get them to their fullest fitness potential while under my supervision. I’ve been told by many clients that they love my calm approach to encourage them through their sessions and how attentive I am in my response to them when they have questions. I’m most proud of my ability to be well rounded in what I do to teach and coach a client on being comfortable to set foot in a gym or any fitness facility alone and be able to do a full 30 to 60 minute workout without letting equipment intimidate them.
When looking for a coach, trainer, and instructor, you will find when hiring me that I give cues that are easy to follow, with imagery to know what to focus on when executing proper form, and ways to find more fluid motion through strength, trigger point, and flexibility methods.
You may message me on my Instagram at tamaranfranklin and my LinkedIn at Tamara Franklin to find out more about the GYROTONIC Method, personal training, pilates classes and workshops, and bodybuilding posing sessions in figure, wellness, and bikini categories.
I take personal training clients at Better Life Training Fitness and Nutrition
Email me also at [email protected]
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn is that success isn’t the opposite of failure . Now I had to learn that my successes are a result of me getting up after each failure and continuing in my journey. In order for me to continue competing as a bodybuilder, I had to learn that each prep may be slightly different. I had grown as an athlete and my coach and I had to make tweaks to my training program and diet periodically to fit my new body’s needs. At one time, my body love tilapia, now for this next prep my body rejected the smell, taste, and site of the food. I know I had eaten so much that I just didn’t want it anymore. That didn’t mean I shutdown and give up on all fish and competing. That meant I make some changes and see what works now verses what worked in the past so I could finish what I started.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I would most definitely choose the same professions I have now even if I could go back. I say this for the simple fact of having the life connection I have with people in the dance and fitness industry and good client relationships. I am happy with the life I have. That doesn’t mean I don’t have challenges, and that I don’t have some things daily that I wish I could change. I am in a feel good mood majority of the time about my professions. I feel good that I can do what I’m good at even with the stress of managing other peoples fitness levels, diet preference, and mannerisms. I’m privileged to use my gifts to continue to grow in my field and help others improve their lifestyle.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tamaranfranklin
- Facebook: Tamara Parrish
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed?trk=full-page-upsell-secondary-cta
- Twitter: bridgingsouls
Image Credits
Photo by George Kontaxis