We recently connected with Cat Corchado and have shared our conversation below.
Cat, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
Midlife women are the underserved as far as fitness is concerned. If you look at social media none of the posts speak to women over 40 AND address their fitness level while taking into consideration their current or past injuries. I have client that had to be hospitalized for COVID and afterwards had to learn how to walk and maneuver without the aid of a walker or cane. When someone recovers from an illness, most fitness professionals forget the emotional aspect of how this illness affected them then and even now. Midlife women are somehow overlooked in so many ways and I want to address the fact that these women have the ability to meet and even exceed their current fitness levels. I do this by helping them understand the how and why flexibility and strength is needed more now in midlife than when they were younger. Having 39 years in the fitness industry I want to meet women where they are now and help them feel good in their bodies.
Cat, 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?
I am a proud Air Force veteran and retired after 20 years of active duty service. As a single parent in the military, I needed additional income to help with raising my son. So as a former athlete, I decided to start teaching fitness classes in 1984. I have 15 years as a Romana’s Pilates Instructor, with certifications in personal training and Active Isolated Stretching, (AIS). Small Space Pilates offers live online classes of strength and pilates to help women feel great in their bodies. If someone cannot make a class, there is a library of videos that can be used at any time when you have the availability. If being in a class is a little nerve racking for some people, I do provide online private sessions and consultations. I want people but particularly women to understand that just because you are over the age of 40, that fitness is still attainable in the right environment, and I believe I provide that with this format. I always want to help
I believe what sets me apart is that my super power is being able to teach to all levels in the same class format. I also provide an easy and comfortable environment meaning that in most classes the format is pristine and perfect. I want everyone to understand that I am not perfect and I want to provide a comfortable environment where everyone feels included in the process of feeing good.
I am proud of the fact that I am 66 years old and I am still learning and growing. I started my podcast Sisters-in-Service – a format for women veterans to speak about the good, the bad and the ugly of serving in the military three years ago followed by my online fitness business 2 years later. I don’t want to ever stop learning and I am proud that I followed through with my goal of being an entrepreneur.
Fitness, wellness, and health are attainable for everyone and I want everyone to know this if they are willing to trust me with achieving their goals.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Serving in the military as a single parent has been to date the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. In the early 80s, single parents in the military had a not so good reputation. Not only did I have to step and prove that I could be very good at my job ( I was a communications project manager), I also worked in an environment of mostly men. There were days I didn’t thing I was going to make it as a single parent or as an enlisted member of the military. Many times I found myself crying uncontrollably on the floor of my house on base just to hear the bus arrive with my son and greeting him as if nothing was wrong. If I made it through that scenario, I knew I could make it through almost anything,
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
For me the most effective strategy for growing my clientele, has been to help new clients feels at ease. Speaking with them initially to find out their WHY of starting their fitness journey. I also want all my clients to learn about why their bodies are hurting and how I can help them feel better. I never want to overwhelm clients with too much information at first, but gradually help them to understand why strength and stretch are essential to helping them feel better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smallspacepilates.com
- Instagram: sisters.in.service
- Facebook: sistersinsvc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catcorchado