We recently connected with Sam Cvetkovski and have shared our conversation below.

Sam, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The day after returning home from a 40+ hour, 82-mile self-supported mountain race, I was emotionally and physically wrecked. Something felt off. That evening over sushi, I turned to my husband and said, “I think I’m getting laid off tomorrow.” I was right. What followed wasn’t just a job loss, but the catalyst for a life-changing decision: to stop chasing stability and finally bet on a passion I’d long buried, coaching.

After being laid off, I spent a week or so applying for jobs, but I found it hard to feel enthusiastic about any job description I read. I have always had a passion for helping others reach their full potential and a strong background in fitness. I always talked about getting back into coaching, but never took the leap. Now, I had the space and push to do it. I signed up for courses, started studying, and soon began a mentorship program.

Initially, I was unsure if this would be a full-time job. For a few months, I continued to apply for jobs, but even the job descriptions felt draining. In the new year, I finally paused on my data & analytics job hunt and decided to give my full attention to fitness. Almost immediately, business started to pick up. Within a few weeks, I was hired to coach group fitness at multiple gyms and began building my one-on-one remote coaching clientele. Occasionally, I had the nagging thoughts that I wasn’t cut out for this and that it would be so much easier to go back to what I knew.

I then received a text from one of my athletes, “I wanted to let you know that when I got my daughter from school last weekend, I picked her up and she felt much lighter and easier to pick up. That alone is worth the work, and how I know the programming is working.” I realized that I would rather fill my cup than settle for something that provides an easy and comfortable life, but takes away from so many other things.

Doing hard things, like 100-mile races, has taught me that growth doesn’t happen in comfort. I committed fully to coaching, and I’ve never looked back. Helping others grow has become the most meaningful work I’ve ever done.

Sam, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I provide Performance Coaching with Omni Athlete Training, where we build resilient bodies and driven minds. Whether you’re training for a goal, rebuilding confidence, or just ready to feel strong again, I’m here to help you say YES to the life you want to live.

My coaching can be done both remotely and in a hybrid format. I also coach small and large group fitness and can provide training plans for teams.

I have organized numerous large-scale fitness events. Whether it’s group hikes in the mountains, fitness events on the beach, or long endurance events in the gym, I’ve got you covered.

My coaching is for everyone. This includes athletes seeking to optimize their performance with a plan tailored to their needs, individuals looking for expert guidance, accountability, and structured progression, as well as beginners and those returning to fitness seeking a structured training program and a coach on their side. Everyone deserves a personalized and flexible approach to wellness, without the guesswork.

My motto is “Fuel Your Fire. Move with Purpose. Train with a Mission.” I want you to discover what you’re passionate about, move with intention, and have fun while doing it.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I’ve found that the most effective strategy for growing my clientele is through referrals. You can spend all the money you want on marketing yourself and your brand, but at the end of the day, the most important voice is that of the people who know and work with you. They are the ones that truly highlight the work you do.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I’ve held many positions where I’ve managed teams, often during challenging times. What I’ve found is that being vulnerable as leaders gives our teams space to do the same. When team members share and trust you, it is easier to find ways to communicate with them. The truth is that sometimes, times are hard, and during those times, it’s essential to find ways to keep teams engaged. One example is allowing team members a few hours of “play” time to explore dusty projects or learn about something new in the industry. Another was creating a more collaborative work environment, especially when team members felt disconnected in their work. Everything stems from knowing your team and understanding what motivates them, what lights them up. Then you can find creative ways to keep that fire burning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ruckwithsam.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samstrap/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthastrapason/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/samstrap