As an outsider, breaking into an industry can often seem like an impossible challenge and so we reached out to some very generous folks who agreed to share their stories of how they broke into their respective industries.

Denise Threlkeld

I was first introduced to macros in 2015. I had tried many other crash diets and shake programs. Lost a little weight but never got where I wanted to be. I was regularly going to the gym but the scale was not moving. An inspo I followed on social media talked about macros. I had no idea what they were but I was intrigued. I had a phone consultation and I was all in! Through tracking my food with the guidance of a coach I was able to reach my goal and then some while still eating normal foods and “living”. Yes I had to track my food, but I could choose whatever I wanted within my goal numbers. I had so many friends tell me I should be a coach but I didn’t know how to customize numbers for other individuals. In 2019 I got pregnant and decided to take a break from my coach. Read more>>

Miriam Lamb

Prior to receiving a MA degree from Sofia University, I studied cultural anthropology and business/human resources. I pursued these fields to gain awareness about how people operate in various cultural, systemic, and corporate contexts. However, after working for several years in human resources and experiencing my own challenges, I began seeking a career path that would provide greater personal satisfaction. I chose Sofia University (formerly Institute of Transpersonal Psychology) because of its rigorous programs which integrate counseling, somatic modalities, culture, ritual, and spirituality.. Read more>>

Lindsay Conklin

I graduated from Artistic Beauty College in October 2007 and shortly after I found out I was pregnant with my first son. I put getting my license on the back burner. In Arizona at the time to become a licensed esthetician you had to take a written and practical examination. It took me until 2009 to get the confidence to attempt those exams but I passed both with flying colors. Once I had that license in hand I began applying for esthetician positions. I went on multiple interviews but most employers were unwilling to hire an esthetician without at least one year experience in the field. Feeling discouraged, I decided to take a job at Bath & Body Works. I figured I could at least talk to people about skincare. I enjoyed my job there but it just wasn’t filling my esthetics cup enough. Read more>>

Kara Keasling

My first job in the fitness field was assist people using the new Cybex Equipment line at the Lattof YMCA. It was my first taste of assisting others during workouts when I was around 15 years old. I liked getting to know the mechanics of the equipment and being in the positive gym atmosphere. I got the job because my family knew the staff well and the YMCA branch was part of my youth as I even learned how to swim in their pools. My first recollection of gym equipment was visiting my Dad working out in the Nautilus room, which was one of the first lines of machines, which in my memory were so large! Although I didn’t have my personal training certification and hadn’t been to college, it left a lasting positive impression that would later lead to my current career choice. Read more>>