We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carrie Gauden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carrie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I wanted to test my body to one of the most extremes adventures by achieving the belt buckle of the Leadville 100 Trail Run. Completing this race under regulated time was life-changing. I proved to myself that working hard build resilience because of perseverance and overall success from not giving up despite life’s challenges. This journey that I took to train that year was the the foundation of what it took to build my business. This showed me what I was capable of when I put my mind to it. Below is a small excerpt from what the beginning of the race was:
It was still dark out except for the flashing lights of the police cars on the morning of
August 18, 2012. The energy was calm and silent, like the calm before the storm. Racers gathered, but no one said a word; we were saving our energy to be on our feet for 30- hours. My heart was pumping, vibrating my entire rib cage, and my blood began to run faster in my veins. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, breathe. Slow down your mind; it’s going to be a long day. No one was talking. Here we all were, to start a journey and to reach a goal some would think is unattainable– Not me; there was no other choice but to finish under regulated time. I was not going home without the Super Bowl Ring of running; the shiny belt Buckle of the Leadville- 100. One of the most grueling 100-mile races in the country. Perseverance is the ability not to give up by overcoming challenges in sports, business and health.
The ability to persevere is sports takes a drive that is both mental and physical.This is what is going to take to finish the race. “That’s pretty much what the Leadville Trail 100 boils down to: nearly four marathons, half of them in the dark, with twin twenty-six-hundred-foot climbs in the middle. Leadville’s starting line is twice as high as the altitude where planes pressurize their cabins, and from there you only go up” (McDougall 60) Trust me, this was true.
The experience of what I went through physically and mentally changed my life forever. It made me a better person to work with my clients and push them by getting them to know the power of their mind connecting to their physical self can make them overcome challenges. This has led to several success stories with clients
Carrie, 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?
A person who never gives up. I believe that we are so much more capable of what our bodies can do when we are able to connect our minds to our physical self. I have built my business based on word of mouth and believe that if I do my work well that the word will travel and speak for itself. I also believe in treating the source of the problem verses the symptom. This takes time, patience and trust with your clients. I have created a specific type of treatment, RADSmethod (release, activate, develop strength) that incorporates different hands on modalities and pilates equipment to treat injuries such as plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder and piraformis syndrome. The combination of these specific techniques has been overwhelmingly successful. Clients range from those who want to prevent injury, those healing injury or professional athletes who want to bring an overall better balance to their body. I have a detailed eye that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the precision in form and technique with clients. I am proud to have a business that we are known for a place where clients can come take pilates and know they are safe, yet being challenged. I take pride in the studio by having a well-equipped facility that has wall to accessories that allow for diverse challenging classes that set us apart from other studios. Less is more, we have 4 reformers and can modify to any level. I have carefully chosen the people who work here that represents my brand and what I stand for.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
I could answer the first question as well regarding ‘resilience’ from one of the first questions asked, but I think this is important answer. The only thing I would go back and change would be finishing my schooling. I am a huge advocate of education and believe that it is important for you and your clients to know that you are committed. Although my story and success does show my commitment, I want to take it to the next level, Therefore, as a business owner and employee of my business, I am currently in school to achieve my doctorate in physical therapy focusing on the psychology of exercise. The mind is a powerful thing. At 49 it was scary and financially scary to jump into this endeavor, but again, once I set my mind to something I get it done. One foot in front of the other.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
The most helpful thing for succeeding my field is always do what you say you are going to do. Follow through with your commitments. In this field of business, you have to separate yourself and stand out. “What makes you different”? I believe in quality over quantity. Stick true to what you are meant to do and the universe will reward you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Peakprllc.com
- Instagram: Peakprllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-gauden-49aa9659/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/west-coast-pilates-costa-mesa
