Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Allison Santini. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Allison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
Divine timing/trusting the Universe. Went to Quinnipiac University– and was in a 3 year undergrad/3 year grad program to get my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In my final undergrad year I started to realize that Physical Therapy wasn’t EXACTLY what I wanted to do. So I graduated with my Bachelors in Health Sciences & decided to ‘take a year off.’ I had also got my Personal Training certification on my own time while I was in school, so the summer after I graduated I lied home and was leaning into that, as well as doing some part-time modeling. I hit it off with a girl I met at a casting, and we kept in touch. In the fall of that year (2013), she asked if I would want to move to NYC and be her roommate (I am from an hour north of the city, so it wasn’t that far for me anyway). Her uncle had a spot that, and he was going to charge us a super cheat amount for rent. I said yes! My original plan was to continue doing the modeling part-time, but I obviously wanted to find something else part-time. I found a Front Desk position at SoulCycle 63rd St on CRAIGSLIST. I applied, went through the long interview process and got the job! Once I started working there, I fell in love with the culture, the energy, and the workout. I became good friends with one of the instructors and she was like– you need to be an instructor here. It made me realize that teaching really would be a combination of everything I loved– fitness, motivational speaking/life coaching, music, and just leaving people feeling better that I found them. So i auditioned. At first, I didn’t get in and was DEVASTATED. I felt like I had failed and didn’t know if I made the “wrong” decision with my life. Then, 3 months later, I auditioned again. I told myself I would give it ONE last try, and if it didn’t work I would pivot. It worked :) I got into the training program, and after I finished, I relocated to Miami to open the market. I have been an instructor for going on 11 years now.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Aside from teaching at SoulCycle, I offer many other services that I do on my own time– simply because I am passionate about helping people feel their best mind, body & spirit. After a spiritual awakening around the years 2016-2017, I went through a massive healing phase where I essentially unlocked my soul gifts. One being my psychic/intuition– hence the Tarot readings I offer. I love to help channel insight, messages & guidance for my clients. I also underwent a transformative one-on-one training and attunement for Reiki, which I now use to do private Energy Healing sessions. I have my own table so I do house calls. With my certification from IIN (Institute of Integrative Nutrition), I do private health coaching & use an very holistic ‘mind, body, spirit’ approach. I believe true health is more than just what you’re eating. Lastly, I offer Astrology Birth Chart readings (trained by Danielle Paige– she’s incredible!), which is super eye-opening. Your birth chart is essentially the map of your soul, and getting insight into how you’re wired and what your energy make-up, gifts, lessons, etc. is like having a cheat sheet to navigating life! You can really then lean into how to work with the energy you’ve got.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My biggest story of resilience is my spiritual awakening. Two years into teaching at SoulCycle full-time had begun to take a toll on my body and overall health. I wasn’t really taking care of myself properly (and wasn’t really sure how to), so I kind of hit a wall and went through an intense period of burn out. I wasn’t quite sure I could keep teaching at the rate I was. Luckily I found an INCREDIBLE acupuncturist (even though I’m kind of afrain of needles) and he totally changed my life. Helped me regulate my nervous system, and restore my mind & body one session at a time. I still go once a week for preventative care. It’s almost like my health struggles morphed into my spiritual awakening. I just started to wake up ad become more open, aware & in-tune with myself and my innate gifts. I found a spiritual mentor (Alessandrina) that I worked with to facilitate my healing journey, and she is who attuned me for Reiki. She was an incredible influence on me.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to learn was that I can’t give from an empty cup. I can’t expect to take care & provide energy to others when I’m not properly taking care of myself. I must fill myself up first, and then pour from overflow. Without my own energy, I have nothing of value to give/share.
Kind of on the came token, I had to learn that the answer was not always to “just push through.” When your body tells you something (especially for a period of time), it’s important to get the hint and adjust/heal accordingly. Even if that means SLOWING DOWN & moving differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.santinistrong.com/
- Instagram: @allisonsantini
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsantini
- Other: TikTok: @allison.santini