We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heike Yates. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heike below.

Heike, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

Not in a million years did I envision myself working in the fitness industry. The idea of being like Jane Fonda jumping around in front of people in tights?! No, thank you.

But then everything changed when I became a mom and was not able to lose all that baby weight, 50 lbs. to be exact, and had no idea how to get back into shape. I didn’t know anything about exercise or how to eat better to lose all that weight. Finally, another mom told me about an exercise class that was more like a dance class – and dancing I love. The best part was that I could bring my son with me to the class as they had babysitting on-site while I workout out.

So we signed up for a class, and it was a blast! Dance moves to great music, and at the end of the class, we did exercises with weights for our arms and core exercises for my flabby mom belly. It was perfect! After a few classes, the teacher asked if I might be interested in becoming a teacher? Me an exercise teacher? My husband encouraged me to take the chance despite my reservations about jumping around in front of people.

I had to apprentice for several months to learn the moves, call the exercises so that people could follow, learn the names of body parts and muscles, and finally, audition in front of a large group of people. I failed! I did not make the cut and was told that there was nothing they could do to help me understand how to cue correctly. I was devastated! I didn’t realize what I was doing wrong!

My mentor explained to me that I was cueing the moves to the melody, not the beat of the music. I didn’t know what she meant until I told her that I was def on one ear and didn’t hear the beat. So she took my hand and put it on the speaker so that I could feel the music. After that, everything became crystal clear, and from then on, I felt each song with my hand before I practiced the moves to learn where the beat was. After that, I auditioned again and nailed it!

I quit my job to be a full-time mom, which meant that I had to leave my financial freedom behind, and taking on this fitness job would help me regain that freedom and more. I started to teach several dance classes per week and couldn’t be happier about taking on this chance to change so many lives.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started teaching dance aerobics classes after my first child was born, and seeing what exercise can do for your body and mind was incredibly powerful. So there was no stopping me now! Eager to grow my knowledge, I got certified in anything that would help me become a better trainer and coach. Certifications range from strength training, nutrition, running, Pilates, breast cancer survivor-specific exercise, etc.

I could apply the knowledge I gained to my client’s training programs and my own fitness adventures. For example, testing strength and fitness protocols by becoming a bodybuilder, an Ultra Marathon runner, aiding in my own recovery from an injury to finishing an Ironman Triathlon, and now successfully dealing with the side effects of aging.

Because of my experience, I understand the fitness and nutrition needs of women over 50.
My passion is empowering empty-nester moms over 50 to take action, saying: “Yes, I can!”

That’s why I created Pursue Your Spark and the Pursue Your Spark podcast to help women over 50 overcome unhealthy fitness and wellness habits and instead live a vibrant and confident second half of life. I have developed a reputation for creating real-life solutions and lasting results by breaking down complicated information into actionable steps.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After working in the fitness industry part-time for a few years, I divorced. I was left with two little children, little to no money, a job I loved, but that didn’t make enough money to pay for an entire household and a massive bill from the divorce.

But I wasn’t going to return to my previous 9-5 job that did not make me happy. Instead, I was ready to fight for our family and create a life that supported us working in the fitness industry.

I was cautious with our spending, and even then, it was not enough to put food on the table every day for my kids, so a friend helped me out with meals during the week. But I wasn’t giving up!

I got a full-time job at a nearby athletic club where I could bring my kids to work with me, and they were able to stay in child care while I was working as the aerobics director. In addition, I took on a side gig as a fitness ball educator for a large company, so on the weekends, when the kids were with their dad, I traveled around the US to teach other coaches how to use the stability ball and even invented the Pilates on the ball program.

As the kids got older, it was easier to take on more fitness engagements outside the athletic club, and I switched to smaller boutique studios where I could generate more income and work my own hours. Until finally, I opened my own boutique Pilates and fitness studio, plus offered online fitness and nutrition courses.

I believe that there is always a way to thrive if you’re passionate about what you do.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes, I would choose to be a fitness, nutrition, and mindset coach over a corporate job. There is nothing more rewarding to me than seeing a client reach her goal and thrive. I can continue to help so many women live healthier and happier lives no matter what age.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heikeyates.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heikeyates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pursueyourspark
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heike-yates-71864b6/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Heike__Yates
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeikeYates

Image Credits
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