I jumped…and hoped like hell that I could fly

This week, one year ago, my life changed forever. This has nothing to do with the pandemic or the world shutting down in mid-March 2020. Instead, this has everything to do with taking a giant leap of faith, believing in myself, and having the support to know that this is the way things were supposed to go. The week of March 1st, 2020 was the week I jumped and hoped like hell that I could fly. Or at least eventually land on my feet. It’s the week that I began my journey as a business owner in the holistic health world.

This time last year, I was starting to get organized for my final exams and was putting the finishing touches on my capstone project to complete my Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition. But more importantly, I was in Portland, OR overcoming one of my biggest fears – public speaking.

My college, the American College of Healthcare Sciences, (ACHS), put out a call about a month earlier for submissions to speak at a sustainability conference for undergraduate students at the University of Oregon, the Washington and Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHES). The topic was to discuss how education in the holistic healthcare field connects to sustainability in the community and for speakers to share their experiences in business. I submitted a proposal and was one of three students selected.

It was one of those times when I applied for something without expecting to win so I never prepared myself for what I may be getting into. Ever done that? Yep, I do it A LOT!!! So far it has worked out pretty well! By the way, I hate public speaking!

Anyways, in my 15-minute speech, I talked about how, as a Jazzercise Instructor, I use holistic wellness topics to inspire our members and the community to make small changes to become healthier. In turn, when people are healthy, they are more likely to participate in their communities and help make them better places to live.

Being on the speaker panel at this conference involved traveling to Portland for a few days. And let me tell you, those were some pretty amazing days! I met some of the most interesting and influential people I have ever met! Many of them were from ACHS. I even had lunch with the President and founder of our school! And several meals with the CMO as well as a few very distinguished professors, faculty, and the Dean of Students! How many people can say that?!?! This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Portland is a beautiful city filled with beautiful, interesting people. I had some amazing conversations and had the opportunity to listen to some truly awe-inspiring presentations. Through all the wonderful sightseeing and tours of the school, Apothecary Shoppe, and everywhere in between, there was still this sense of dread about giving that speech. In front of people. And not passing out. Or throwing up. Or dying.

Did I mention I HATE public speaking?!

At least I thought I did. It turned out, as it did with Jazzercise, if you give me a microphone, you’re going to have a hard time getting it back! That 15 minutes flew by! Yes, I was terrified at first and was sweating beyond belief. And yes, I thought I was going to throw up right before it was my turn. But once I got going, it felt almost, dare I say, natural. Don’t get me wrong, I messed things up a few times and definitely rambled a tad, but all in all, it wasn’t so bad!

After our session, I was sitting outside the facility catching my breath, I found myself wondering, how was I able to do that? The hours of practice? The stage presence I learned from being a Jazzercise Instructor? Knowing my topic like the back of my hand? That all probably helped, no doubt. But what really made it possible was the support from the professors and faculty that were part of the speaking panel and in the audience.

They gave us a pep talk before we went on and said that they were not going to let us fail. They simply would not let that happen. It was their job to make us successful. If we got tripped up on a question, look at one of them and they could take over. If we forgot what we were supposed to say, look at one of them and they would ask a question. They were there to make us look good. And we were there to make them look good!  

This all has a point, I promise! Stay with me!

What I learned that day is that I can overcome some pretty big fears. I can put on a fake smile, show off fake confidence, and talk a big game – and eventually, it becomes sincere and authentic. I learned that most people are not waiting for me to fail. They don’t want me to stumble, or to fall. Most people genuinely want to see others succeed. And what I took away from our professors was surreal. I hope that someday, through my work, through Jazzercise, or through being a member of my community, I can inspire someone else the same way they inspired me.

There’s one more thing…

The biggest lesson that I learned at that conference was that this, the holistic health field, is where I belong. In my head, I’ve been there a long time. But in reality, I was far from it.

There was still a lot standing in my way (including the pandemic that wasn’t even a thought in my head at this point). There were many barriers and many setbacks in my future. But I was ready. I put in the hard work to get me to the place where I could change careers and walk away from guaranteed income. Where there’s a big risk, there’s the potential for big rewards.

The holistic health field is challenging, incredibly interesting, and ever-evolving. It can be frustrating, and oftentimes is very lonely, but it is always inspiring. Seeking out and connecting to people who share the same vision, the same questions, the same experiences can be life-changing.

On that flight home back to Wisconsin, I knew I was not getting off that plane the same person. I was different than when I arrived in Portland a few days earlier. I knew my life would never be the same. I knew that I was ready to take on the world.

This was such a big turning point in my life because it reaffirmed what I knew all along and helped me confidently take that next step of finishing grad school and opening my business. I will never forget those days or the people that made it all possible.

I’m going to share pictures from the conference and my trip all week over on my Facebook page so be sure to stop by and say hi!

Although, at this time last year, I’m not where I thought I would be and my business hasn’t gone the direction I had planned, that’s ok! I have learned so much over this past year and I know there are great things in store for me and Full Bloom Acres in the upcoming few years!

I would like to send a special thank you to the professors, faculty, and staff at ACHS for all your continued support! Thank you to Professor Taylor Hill, Professor Susan Marcus, Audra Turner, Kate Harmon, Natalie DeWitt, Gillian Turner, and of course, Doreen Petersen who were instrumental in the WOHES Conference! Hopefully, I didn’t leave anyone out! Additionally, everyone at Jazzercise of Washington & Dodge County, thank you for your love, support, and listening to my crazy ideas! Stef Kowaleski and Terri Johnson ignited this spark in me over 5 years ago and I will be forever grateful. And of course, a very special thank you to my husband, Craig, as without his love and support, I would not be the person I am today.

That’s all for now! Have an awesome week and a happy March!

Peace, love & kale!

Lindsay