We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Annemarie Sampson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Annemarie below.
Annemarie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
It seems like yesterday, when in fact almost 4 decades ago I graduated from Purdue University to start my career with the Hyatt Corporate Training Program. The training and skills I learned where invaluable, but I knew this would not be the career path for me. The fitness Industry was in its infancy. Some YMCA’s and a few big box gyms were making their way into peoples lives, then along came Aerobic Studios- a place to work out/dance to choreographed routines that were filled with energy, music, personality, and leg warmers!
In exchange for a free membership and minimum wage I was the manager of The Chicago Sweat Shop. On the job training on managing employees and customers, and trouble shoot almost anything, and started my journey to be a certified group exercise instructor. I was hooked and knew I would be an entrepreneur in the industry for life.
As you can imagine being a woman in a male dominated fitness industry came with some ups and downs. Learning to speak my voice, prioritize my values, and beginning to put my stamp on anti-diet culture and health is not a size platform had its start in this small gym in the heart of Chicago.
Annemarie, 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?
The Pursuit to Share Sustainable Practices with Others.
My WHY for 38 years: to leave people in a better place than where I found them.
I have served the Chicagoland fitness community for the past 38 years. I was the manager of The Chicago Sweat Shop, one of Chicagos’s first aerobic studios, and my love for group exercise grew to inspire the opening of my own gym, Second Wind. 35 years later, I currently coach high school girls cross country and work with clients to achieve sustainable WELLness.
My personal story and experiences surrounding body image, disordered exercise, and food habits, along with my education and work experience, puts me in a unique position to listen and work with clients. I love high school and college athletics, I am more at home in the mountains than on the beach, and protecting this beautiful planet is my passion. I am a better cook than gardener – but do both. I prefer winter to summer – but love fall and spring. Pizza is my favorite food, I love music, and I dance like no one is watching!
About My Services
I work with clients to achieve physical, mental, emotional, and social health — regardless of environment, economic status, weight, or current health condition. I begin my work with clients to understand their personal values. When we know our values, our habits are rooted in purpose and passion. Our values could be related to our personal health, career aspirations, relationships, or any other long-term project that requires thought, effort, and dedication. When our actions align with our values, we are much more likely to succeed.
The goal — SUSTAINABLE WELLness.
Together, we can continue to have the difficult conversations and invite sustainable living practices into our communities – one positive change at a time!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Diet Culture/Health is a Shape/Size
WELLness is not a shape, size, or number. WELLness is not a destination or goal. You will not find it in a diet or in a gym. You will find it through self exploration, education, and resources that are vetted and take a balanced and fluid approach to sustainable lifestyle practices.
WELLness is a comprehensive equation of mind, body, soul, and environment. Honoring our genetics, culture, values, economics and access are imperative to creating sustainable habits to be WELL and stay WELL.
Taking a holistic approach to include nourishment, sleep, hydration, meditation, connection to the outdoors, authentic relationships, community, and self-talk is all critical and play different roles at different times in our lives.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Creating oportunity for connection with others within the wellness space is critical.
Meeting and interacting with other health/wellness professionals, you find valuable opportunities to create partnerships, inspire collaborations, and transpire referrals to each other forming a larger client base, and friendships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sustainablelifelive.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainablelife.live/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684137682321210
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/annemariesampson
- Twitter: @AnnemarieCPT
- Youtube: @sustainablelifelive3861