Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Kelly
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Its always hard to choose which story I want to share with people – life is anything but ordinary! I grew up with very little resources, money, or support. I was often on my own when it came to growing up, however, I think this all shaped who I am today. I would often help my parents with small odd jobs to keep the finances and the family a float. As soon as I was 15, I secured my first official job at CVS where I stayed for 7 years working up to a management position. I executed a variety of responsibilities, often helping multiple stores. When I was 18 I had started nannying in addition to maintaining my other role. As I navigated college with 2 jobs, and began to explore the marketing world, I grew increasingly fond of small businesses and entrepreneurs. It was always habit of mine to see things from different perspectives and ponder how I would have done things, better. As I came across gig jobs in my industry, I learned the value of getting uncomfortable and jumping into things I had no preparation for or background in. I took a ton of random jobs, from surveying customers in the chickfila drive through for a market research company to managing VIP hotel transfers from a Philadelphia Hotel to the local recording studios – I did it all!
As I grew older I continued to pursue experiences that got me uncomfortable. Always diving into new adventures head first and trying my best to blend in. I worked a remote job where ownership of your work was king, and there was no real guidance or one way to do things. It allowed me to dive into the digital marketing world that much deeper. However theres a fine line between technology and marketing, where the deeper you go the more technical it gets. After a lack of opportunity for growth and not much managerial guidance, I parted ways with the company. Around the same time, I came into caretaking responsibilities of my grandparents. As I strived to find my way caretaking and finding a job that worked with that, I wanted to stay away from falling into a depression. I often found myself wandering new trails and getting outdoors to stay in the best frame of mind possible. One day I saw a posted volunteer opportunity with Chester Creek Trail and decided on a whim to shoot them an email, after all, they were looking for help with digital marketing which is what I just got out of. I ended up connecting with some amazing people and found myself striving to increase their social media presence. Over the next year I was voted on the board and together we moved some huge obstacles for the trail, including expansion that was held back for almost 30 years by the town. We rallied locals using social media and for the first time the township approved the expansion. Moving mountains is what I live for!
As I looked for other ways to distract myself from the ever going job search and the weight of caretaking for seniors, I discovered a free pilates class and fell in love. I had no idea what it was and heard of it in multiple scenarios but in the spirit of getting uncomfortable gave it a try. Flash forward three years it is now my career.
I heard about the teacher training and thought about it but let it pass me by. I said if I still loved it in a year I would pursue it. I was so inspired by great instructors and tuned in on my listening skills. I noticed patterns and flows, how things were supposed to feel when done right vs when we mindlessly move. It helped me discover a whole new world of intentional movement. Which translated so smoothly into my everyday life. When I decided to start the training, I observed and practiced non stop. I researched not only the impact it had on daily day to day task but saw an intense value of the preventative and rehabilitative aspects of practicing this form of exercise. I think the inclusivity and accessibility made me admire the craft in an entirely new light. It felt good to truly fall in love with something and feel that passion to share what you do with the world. Coming from that sales and marketing industry, having a product that “sells” itself is everyones dream – but this is more, its an investment into improving your daily routine & overall well being!
I think so often I always focused on diversifying my working experience – I wanted a portfolio to doctor to anything in my path. You would not believe the amount of things you learn on the fly when you find a company that could use that new kid on the block with fresh ideas and a new source of inspiration.
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?
Absolutely not! And it still isn’t. Its a long road and theres plenty of twists and turns but the bumps bring out the character. I was a young kid navigating the world, I learned how to observe and take notes to figure things out as opposed to asking questions. From an early age – I had to grow up! The world is anything but regular, as a kid you think you’ll have it figured out by 22. Then something out of nowhere comes and throws a curve in your perfect plan. There is so many current events, life events, among weather and other things we are rarely able to anticipate. Being unemployed coming from a teen working multiple jobs was never on my radar, but boom pandemic hit and you learn to go back to the drawing board! To say curve balls came left and right is generous. I am also a giver by nature, & along the way you meet alot of takers. You need to know your boundaries as givers because takers have none. You need to be solid in your foundation and know your morals – sometimes tough decisions come between what is right, what is favorable for you, and what you are being asked. A good head on your shoulders can get you through anything but you need to cater to your mind. Constantly sharpening not just by research and education but plenty of experiences. Always ask questions and learn to talk, really talk not just small talk, to the strangers standing in the same spaces as you. You never know who you might meet or what life changing perspective they may provide in the few sentences you share. Reminding yourself to have that discipline but also the grace to make mistakes at the same time is super important. No matter how your experiences go, good or bad, you walk away different one way or another. I dig deep to find the good things that come out of it all.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a pilates instructor, you strive to incorporate the core principles: Breath, Concentration, Control, Precision, Center and Flow. Im most proud of the welcoming atmosphere I provide to truly work on yourself without judgement. I have a knack for bringing people’s awareness to the room and in practice with them. Reminding people to connect deeper to their breath, movements, and bodies is a special part of the practice. I like to give people an escape to truly tune into not only their mind and body but their soul. Sometimes this is the only time people have to themselves all day, I truly want them to each get the most out of experience and get in the zone. Its a come as you are mentality – not everyday were able to give 100% but its the days we still show up and give our 10% when we need it most that make us even stronger!
What were you like growing up?
I was very shy unless I was with my friends. Always worried about what other people thought, I never felt good enough. I had a super low self esteem, I hated situations like being called on in class. At the same time, I loved to dance and be a complete goofball around my friends. I loved group activities like cheerleading, soccer, and softball. I always was outside playing in the neighborhood. My friends parents always asked to keep a little longer because I was super disciplined, polite, and well behaved. I didnt know this it came natural to me thats how I was raised. After I got my customer service job I was forced to open up. I could talk to a wall, I talked to adults at a pharmacy daily, the more you do it the easier it gets. I faked a lot of my confidence along the way it worked. I knew on the inside I had a lot of things to work through, but on the outside any one was fooled. I started getting down personal into my meditating and journaling & found a new found confidence in myself after months and years of analyzing and reevaluating my current situation from where I wanted to be. We truly only have this one life to live and at the end of the day, you are the only person that truly can care about yourself more than anyone else and your the only one that will do so by nature. Its okay to love yourself!! Especially as women, we need to realize our worth and value no matter the circumstances!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flextonicpilates
- Other: https://chestercreektrail.org/
