We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Maurer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
When I was early in my career as a fitness professional, I taught close to 30 classes a week at three different facilities, had personal training clients, and owned, managed, and taught at a dance studio. I was overwhelmed, overworked, and over-injured, but this was the only way I could see making ends meet if I wanted to stay in fitness. I thought the only way to make an impact was to make the impact personally.
I realized that I needed to diversify, not in my class formats, but in how I thought about the fitness industry as a whole. I focused on what brought me joy and where my passion was the strongest- teaching people new skills. I needed to spend less time on sets and reps and more time helping other fitness professionals start their own careers. I started to see how a larger ripple effect could take place.
I started my own small group training business and hired additional trainers. I taught myself the systems, processes, and technology needed for the role of entrepreneur—like hiring practices, website building, retention strategies, and social media. I became a master trainer so I could teach others how to teach. Then, I began consulting other master trainers, educators, and entrepreneurs to show them how these processes could benefit their own businesses.
I went from being overwhelmed to being organized – then to sharing these skills with others. My career has flourished since then, and I have held roles such as Lead Master Trainer, Director of Education, and Vice President of Business.
Jessica, 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 recognized fitness business speaker, consultant, and strategist who focuses on helping businesses go from overwhelmed to organized. My international presentations, certifications, and consultations for various brands underscore my commitment to helping fitness professionals and businesses realize their full potential.
Whether I’m creating and presenting certifications and workshops at prestigious events like IDEA World, canfitpro, and ACSM, or providing consulting services to brands and businesses, I hope to be a driving force behind positive change and growth in the fitness community. With a focus on education, program and instructor development, and brand creation and awareness, I help create new and dynamic learning experiences for the industry. My innovative contributions range from digital format certifications and educational courses on leadership and entrepreneurship to developing compelling social media and blog content.
I am a seasoned professional in the fitness industry. I currently serve as the Project Manager for the Mental Wellbeing Association, co-creator of the Move Mentors, and Director of Product Fitness at FIT4MOM. I created the FIT4MOM Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Certification and was fundamental in creating the first certification for mental well-being in our industry.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Knowledge can only take you so far in business. However, I’ve found that relationship-building skills are often the most influential. Connecting, networking, and consistent communication can significantly elevate your career. I’m not suggesting who you know is the key to a successful career or that my success is solely due to my connections. But I believe my ability to network, make friends, and converse with strangers has been crucial. Being friendly, generous with your time, and empathetic to others can outweigh the number of framed degrees on your wall.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
In the early stages of my career, I was taught to say yes to every opportunity in my inbox. A mentor told me that eventually, those chances would dry up, so enjoy them while they were arriving. I would say yes to every class, client, and project because I was petrified of the impending doom that my inbox would be empty one day. This left me injured, exhausted, and unhappy with my commitments.
As a recovering “yes” woman, I know how hard it can be to slow down, rest, recover, and take breaks when needed. In my experience, entrepreneurs think we must overwork, bend backward, and sacrifice our time to prove our worth. And frankly, that’s not true. When we constantly run from one mental gymnastics trick to the next, we experience the harsh reality of burnout.
Most of us do our best work when we are happiest. After years of working with entrepreneurs, I have found that we tend to be the most productive, joyful, and healthiest when we feel mentally rested and living with a sustainable working schedule.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://JHMFitness.com
- Instagram: @JHMFitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaHMaurerFitness
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-h-maurer/
