We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shannon Polson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shannon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?
My previous career position before becoming a solopreneur was a manager, personal trainer and group fitness instructor at a Wellness Center that I spent 10 rewarding years at. The Wellness Center was located within a hospital setting, so I was fortunate to train and learn about various audiences, from employees and community members, to student athletics all the way up to the elderly. Of course, like most, I didn’t start out as a manger. I began my career at the Wellness Center as a part time fitness instructor learning how to coordinate music and use my voice so the class could hear me (I was very shy and quiet in my 20’s). After I graduated from college with my Health & Wellness degree, I grabbed more hours at the Center working the desk and learning the ins and outs of servicing our members so they’d always feel welcome and safe in our environment. As time past, my opportunities grew. I was brought on board as a full time Wellness Center Coordinator, my personal training clientele was growing, and my confidence towards instructing a group fitness class was much stronger. A few years later I was promoted to Wellness Center manager – I was beyond thrilled! My personal training clientele was still growing, plus I was retaining clients I started training years previous. We had a great team on board that worked well with each other and our community.
The biggest takeaway from this significant chapter in my life is to listen and treat each person equally, as the individual that they are. I was fortunate enough to be apart of a smaller, tight-knit community; our Wellness Center had about 400 members. Each member that walked through our door we knew by first and last name, we knew about their family, the vacations they’d take, and their health struggles which led them through our doors in the first place. We established relationships and trust with each member, allowing them to walk into our space as the unique person that they are. We were simply a judgment free zone! All of these dynamics are exactly what I bring with me each day as a business owner. My target audience are females 40 and over, and although this is a specific gender and age group, each person is different and unique in their own, beautiful way. From their work and personal life, their goals, injuries, current chapter in life, obstacles, celebrations, health knowledge, the list goes on… I listen closely and take notes with each client to ensure the fitness and nutrition programs I create for them is exactly for them, no one else. Everything that is done and discussed is always 100% confidential. There’s absolutely no judgement towards what chapter of life you’re in, what ‘shape’ you’re in, or how much education you have towards your own wellness. Whether you are just beginning an exercise routine or have been exercising for years – my goal is to build you realistic and attainable strategies that fit your lifestyle.
Shannon, 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 work with women 40 and over to improve their balance.
There is a lot of outside noise when it comes to the fitness industry. Our day is saturated with stigma from advertising and marketing companies telling us what the next best weight loss program is, which magic pill we should purchase, what fitness trend will shred the most fat, or how a female body should look. I started my business to work with women 40 and over to improve balance. And while balance is the first variable that is our focal point, it’s a beautiful waterfall effect that leads to an efficient performing body such as increased strength, flexibility, mobility and more energy. I focus on balance because this dynamic is the first component towards not only a successful fitness routine, but successful emotional wellness, and a better relationship with food. Balance gives you a solid foundation to safely and properly progress in any fitness journey, regardless of where your starting point is. This type of fitness training focuses on muscle control, which assists in keeping a calmer mind when under stress, and creates a healthier emotional relationship with food.
The core goal for each woman I am fortunate enough to be a part of their health journey, is to educate them on how to release the outside noise and focus on realistic and attainable fitness strategies that work for them, all starting with their balance. We won’t focus on strategies that worked for your neighbor. Or your co-worker. Or the gal you saw on TV or Instagram. Simply… you. Clients learn to establish habits that fit into their life for long-term consistent success, not an overnight quick fix.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Listening, learning, and treating each individual women as their own unique self. I create each fitness and nutrition program for that specific individual depending on various dynamics such as age, goals, profession, injuries, relationship with food, and so on. It’s not a one size fits all. I don’t believe in magic pills or programs, and I don’t push overnight success. I am honest with each client that their health journey is now a lifestyle, I am here to give the tools, strategies, education, and accountability; but you have to put in the work in order to see results.
100% of my clientele has come from word of mouth, and I thoroughly believe it’s because each women is serviced individually, and when they have learned to let go of the outside noise and put in the work, they see results.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes, I have two podcasts that I listen to: Jenna Kutcher and Lori Kennedy. Jenna has really taught me the importance of business branding and the power of staying consistent, even on your hardest days (because let’s be honest, entrepreneurship can be very hard and lonely!). Lori Kennedy speaks to me because she’s bold and honest! She has educated me on the freedmon you’ll experience when you’re helping people to live healthier lives, and how to successfully launch such product/service.
And one book that I must mention, because it’s 100% changed my life, is ‘How To Do The Work’ by Dr. Nicole LePera. If you haven’t read this book, please do. She’s a holistic psychologist that guides you through the journey of your own life to deeply heal from trauma, and understand how to create your own path to personal growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: repsandsetsfitness.com
Image Credits
Mackenzie Belich Photography