It’s funny how most of us view Labour Day as the last day of summer, when in reality, the last day of summer is September 21st. Some people are already going crazy for the re-launch of PSLs (Pumpkin Spice Lattes) when it’s over 30 degrees outside in Toronto! But nevertheless, September has people thinking about Fall, and Fall has a lot of us thinking about CHANGE. Fall is a new season, the leaves start to change colours, it’s a new school year, and for a lot of us it can mean a new beginning as well. Some of us start new jobs, go off to college or university, and as for me? Well, I’ve finally found a place to settle down in Toronto! Took me a few months to find it, but I think I’ve found a new home for now, and I’m pretty excited about it!
However, my first morning in the city did not go so well… I left my Presto card back in Mississauga, and the TTC had several delays on the hottest day so far this week. I was sweaty, tired, stressed out, and 15 minutes late for my first morning client! But none of that matters, even though my first morning wasn’t stellar, I know that this is the best thing for me and my future. Why? Well, I’ve always wanted to live in Toronto. I remember telling my best friend Wade in university that I was going to live in Toronto. He asked me what I was planning on doing after school, and I said, “the only thing I know for sure is that I’ll be working in fitness, and I’ll be living in Toronto.” It took me a while to get here, mostly because I was afraid, not sure if I could afford it, not sure if my business would do well, but I wasn’t getting anywhere living in Mississauga. I was living with my parents, who are amazing by the way, but they did so much for me, and I was getting comfortable. I wasn’t making a lot of money and the only reason why I was able to do the things I loved to do with my friends like going on trips, music festivals, and so on, was because I was living with my parents. That’s not fair to my parents, or to me really. I deserve better than that, and I want more for myself than that.
I want to have a successful fitness business, and I found that I was having a hard time making it happen in Mississauga. It was difficult going from client to client because of the amount of traffic, I was spending a lot of time driving around. Also, since most people drive around in Mississauga, it’s more difficult to find clients outside of the big box gyms. The second I decided to move my business downtown, I’ve had a much easier time finding clients. Not only is it easier to get from client to client, most people have a condo gym of some sort. Also, the demographic of people living downtown are younger and value fitness more so than the people living in Mississauga, at least that’s what I’ve found so far. I still teach corporate wellness classes, and I do plan on continuing that. I’m working on gaining more corporate wellness classes in the city. Basically what I’m saying, and what I’ve been trying to say in several of my pieces on my blog since I’ve started to write it, is that change is scary and uncomfortable, but if you really want to grow you need to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. You need to be relentless in following your goals. I’ve always wanted to be successful in fitness, and I’ve always wanted to live in the city. Here I am in the city, chasing my dreams. It’s sink or swim.
Now it’s not like I’m completely alone in the city, the vast majority of my closest friends live in the city, and so does my cousin, who I’m pretty close with as well. But whether or not I build a successful training business in the city? That’s completely up to me. I’ve already built a solid base so far, but now that I’ve committed to being in the city full time, to me, there’s no turning back now. So here I am, in September starting a new chapter in my life. It’s been two and a half days LOL and so far so good. Still trying to get settled, but I’m happy with my new home, and I’m here to stay. If you have a dream, or a goal you’ve been thinking about achieving, there is not time like the present! Maybe it’s just me, but I find September to be a very motivating time of the year. A lot of us are thinking about change, new beginnings, and well getting back into our “routines” now that our summer vacations are over. So get to it! Chase your goals, do it now while you’re still motivated!
Alex Rinaldo 