We recently connected with Autumn Kirk-Phillips and have shared our conversation below.
Autumn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. How did you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
My family and I relocated to Texas in October 2014, five months after receiving my Zumba certification. It would be a year from the date that I arrived in Houston that I received my first opportunity to teach. Every year, Zumba hosts “Party in Pink” masterclasses around the country, supporting the Susan G. Komen foundation. In October 2015, I attended my first Party in Pink at the Monty Ballard YMCA in Katy. I was all decked out in my pink Zumba gear, ready to shake it for an amazing cause, and that’s what I did! As I was dancing in the crowd, I felt someone tap my shoulder. When I turned around, she asked, “Are you a Zumba Instructor?” I said yes, and the rest is history! She gave me the opportunity to teach my very first Zumba class! I am forever indebted to her for coming over and picking me out of the crowd to stand out. Fast forward to today, owning my own fitness company, AKP Fitness. I am grateful to be able to live out my passion for fitness and inspire others every day.
Autumn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
AKP Fitness is a fitness company that really focuses on the client’s goals. Having been a person that has gone to many personal trainers, weight loss coaches, etc., the last thing I wanted to provide was a service to TELL people what they needed to do. By listening to my clients’ needs both mentally and physically, it enables them to create an attainable plan that will allow them to succeed and allow me to provide them with the support/classes/training to help them achieve it.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Don’t ever be afraid to re-invent yourself! I graduated from college and went straight into corporate America, climbing the ladder just like everyone else. I thought that’s what I wanted to continue doing until I started having children. When I started having kids, I decided that I wanted to stay home with them and take it all in. When my last child entered elementary school, I found myself saying, “Now what?” I have always been passionate about fitness and dance, but I hadn’t previously thought about making a career out of it. I started teaching one class, then two, and before I knew it, I was in love with the new me and the new direction in which my passion was taking me. Did I see my life heading in this direction when I wrote out my life plan so many years ago? No. Am I happy with where it has taken me and where I am going? Absolutely!
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Aside from training and knowledge, the most important aspect of success in my field is meeting people where they are. As fitness professionals, we meet someone and immediately start giving the person/client our “professional opinion” about things before taking the time to listen to their actual needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.akpfitfit.com
- Instagram: @akpfitfit
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/akpfitnesshouston
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-kirk-phillips
- Twitter: @akpfitfit
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Curligurli5
- Other: https://linktr.ee/akpfitfit
Image Credits
Leigh Franklin Photography Angeline Flynn
Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.