We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aesha Tahir a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aesha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

It’s kind of crazy how I landed my first job in the exercise field. Working as a movement specialist is my second act–a complete pivot from my career as a computer programmer in the corporate world.

While on maternity leave with my son, I explored structured exercise to relieve lower back pain and sciatica. I fell in love with the results of that structured exercise program during what I thought would be a short break from my career as a computer programmer—regular workouts and being active relieved my lower back pain. Not only did I feel better, but I also had a stronger mindset. My family and friends started noticing the transformation, which motivated me to pursue a career in exercise science.

Later that year, a friend introduced me to Spinning, the indoor cycling classes. I enjoyed the classes immensely and realized I had a natural affinity for endurance and cardio. After a few classes, I became a certified Spinning instructor. I auditioned for a Spinning class at my local health club. The health club director asked me to teach a Spinning class the very next day. That was my first job in the exercise field.

On my first day at that job, I taught a sold-out Spinning class to a room full of experienced cyclists (there was no pressure, just kidding). In the end, I received a standing ovation. I’ve always wanted to inspire and empower others, but I never imagined I would do so by working in the exercise science field. I genuinely love the Spinning program to this day!

I have a passion for exercise and wellness because I have experienced the benefits of it myself. My first job in the field, as a Spinning instructor, led to my career as a human movement specialist and corporate wellness consultant.

Aesha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an exercise physiologist and movement specialist on a mission to help busy professionals live pain-free and empowered lives. As a corporate wellness consultant, I design wellness programs and offer workshops to organizations through my wellness coaching business, Tone and Strengthen, LLC.

At Corporate America, I led a sedentary lifestyle, leading to severe low back pain and sciatica. So, now I help other corporate professionals live pain-free lives filled with passion and vitality. My role as a corporate wellness consultant is a perfect merger of my expertise as an exercise scientist and a corporate professional. I’ve helped many deskbound professionals recover from injury and pain. While I continue to coach busy professionals, I also create wellness programs for small businesses and corporations.

My consultancy helps companies find their sweet spot by addressing their team’s posture issues, harnessing productivity, and creating a wellness-focused company culture. I’m also an author, columnist, and wellness speaker. My work is published in Fitness Trainer Magazine and Personal Fitness Professionals, among others.

My book Unhunched – discovering wellness through posture will be released next month on Amazon and at all other major retailers nationwide.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Social media marketing and referrals have been the top two strategies for building my clientele.

The first step for establishing a market for my services was to focus on my WHY. Keeping my purpose front and center helped me define my niche and create an ideal client avatar. Indirectly it was the most critical marketing decision too. It helped me address my client’s pain points through digital content.

I’ve created coaching programs, blogs, and videos that speak directly to my clients while offering solutions to their everyday problems. The digital content helps me provide value to my clients.

I’m blessed to have happy clients who send referrals my way.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Books are the most incredible mentors. I’ve read many books on entrepreneurship over the years. Recently, I read Christine Kane’s book Soul Sourced Entrepreneur. As a business coach, the author emphasizes creating standard procedures and implementing those in your business. This book has many stories of entrepreneurs that explain the importance of clarity, mindset, and self-trust for growing a business. These stories resonate with my lived experiences and entrepreneurship challenges. I have applied the business techniques mentioned in this book to my enterprise and am pleased with the results.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://toneandstrengthen.com
• Instagram: @tone_and_strengthen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toneandstrengthen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aeshatahir
• Youtube: Tone and Strengthen
• Other: https://aeshatahir.com/books

Image Credits
Caitlin Stoille