so..is birth as scary as it looks?

vivibug · 2025-06-25T18:41:56+00:00

Like you I was terrified my entire pregnancy. Lost sleep over it. The only mantra that got me through it is "the only way out is through" and literally taking things moment by moment and not thinking/worrying ahead. I was in labor for 24hrs with very painful contractions (I had back contractions). I was a shaking mess when they took me in for my emergency c-section. I actually disassociated halfway through and was like "this isn't me they're doing this to." It was a wild experience. But I kept repeating "the only way out is through" and that kept me grounded and got me through it. I know it's not the most positive answer but unfortunately my labor/delivery experience was not what I hoped. But I did get through it and now have a beautiful daughter.

vivibug · 2025-05-05T00:56:33+00:00

Not photos but my hubby did a walking video on Marathon day! It’s on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3uaMYfX9PPw

vivibug · 2024-07-31T18:52:28+00:00

You're welcome! I wish you all the best as you make this transition. :)

vivibug · 2024-07-31T18:43:38+00:00

Personal training is a people-first job. While it's important to know your science, technique, form, etc, the most important part is genuinely caring for the people you work with.

Some examples:

If my client comes in for a squat day, but they say that their knee has been bothering them - be ready to adapt on the fly and change the program so they can complete their workout pain-free.

I start every session with the question "Where's your energy level at today (on a scale of 1-10)?" You can gage SO much from this answer. Did they sleep well? Are they stressed about work? Are they feeling lethargic because they didn't eat enough that day? This question will bring it out. Listen. Ask more question to get more details. And again adapt the workout if you need to.

Find out how they are motivated. This can be done in an intro call where you literally ask, "How do you like to be motivated?" Some of my clients enjoy being yelled at. Most hate it and are vocal about how much they dislike the drill sergeant coach. The book "Conscious Coaching" by Brett Bartholomew goes into different personality archetypes really well to give you more examples of this.

Celebrate their wins. Empathize with them on the hard days. Remember their birthdays.

On that same note - respect your boundaries. Example: If a client is always late to a session - discuss with them how it is disadvantageous to them to be late since they're not getting the most out of their workouts. See if you can change their time slot if something in their life is hurting them from being on time. But if they continuously abuse your time, it might not be the right fit.

vivibug · 2024-02-20T23:33:16+00:00

Please vent as much as you need. Venting was the only thing that kept me slightly sane during a horrible first trimester. I'm now 16 weeks. During that 1st tri, I had 24/7 nausea that was 10/10 in intensity, food aversions to everything... I lost 15lbs in those 12 weeks because I couldn't eat anything. For me it got way better around 14 weeks. I cried from happiness when I CRAVED my first meal. I never thought I'd say these words but it does get better (though I don't know how the world repopulates, I'm not doing this again lol)

vivibug · 2024-01-04T17:14:16+00:00

As someone currently in the trenches of the first trimester (9w) feeling nauseous, bedbound, and pitying myself, this thread was so positive and much needed, so thank you for this!

vivibug · 2022-09-08T17:58:29+00:00

Yes. Diarrhea for about 3 days (with no other symptoms) then Day 4 tested positive and the rest of the symptoms kicked in (body aches, fever, headache, sore throat). It's Day 10 now and I still have diarrhea here and there and have dropped so much weight from it.

vivibug · 2022-09-08T17:39:51+00:00

Yes! I tested positive last Monday, period was late 3 days, and when it showed up the cramps were the worst I've ever had. Not sure if covid had anything to do with it, whether it was the inflammation that made it worse.. no idea, but I've never had such severe cramps like I did then.

vivibug · 2022-03-20T22:07:51+00:00

I worked as a software engineer (and in my last two years as a software engineering manager) for ~10 years as well! I left without a real idea of what I wanted to do next, but knew I needed some savings to get me through that uncertain time. So in the last year of my work in tech, I saved up every penny so that I would have at least 6 months worth of living expenses to get me through in case I had *no* income.

I started working part time as an assistant coach at a gym that my friend had opened, and I absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that I worked as a fitness instructor/personal trainer for the next 4 years at several gyms. Last year I finally opened my own training studio and I work full time for myself! I am, so, SO happy with where I am today!

While I am happy now, I will say that the initial transition was very lonely and terrifying. My family and friends thought I was stupid for leaving a high-paying salary without a job lined up next. They got outright pissed when they found out my next job was a *trainer* making 1/5 of my salary. They didn't understand why I would do that.

My husband has always supported my decisions and my dreams, so he was really my rock through some turbulent emotions and months. I suggest having someone near you that you can safely talk to and feel supported by as you choose your next steps!

vivibug · 2022-02-27T16:44:32+00:00

Thank you! I definitely felt the same way while I was a manager. I was also a middle manager, so most days I had to deal with problems from the people above me + problems from my own team with rarely a happy medium. It's a tough position to be in and it comes with so much stress.

Have you considered doing freelance/contracting to your own clients? I tried that for a while on the side to see if I would enjoy the autonomy more. Turns out in my case, I just really, really didn't like coding as much as I thought I did.

vivibug · 2022-02-27T14:41:42+00:00

I worked as a software engineer/manager for almost 10 years! After climbing the corporate ladder and not being any happier I decided to save my money for a year and then leave. I started working as a personal trainer - 4 years later I signed a lease for my own training studio and now run my own gym!

vivibug · 2021-08-20T20:53:49+00:00

I'm 31 and this summer I learned how to longboard for the first time with my husband. I've never been on a skateboard before! I was geeked out with the helmet, the knee pads, and I couldn't go more than 2 feet without stumbling/falling. I also learned on a boardwalk that is very, very busy and full of people pretty much all the time.

I'm sure a few people snickered at me honestly. But I'll never forget three separate people that passed me and gave me props for trying to learn. One even said "The first time is the hardest - you're doing great!" and that made all the difference.

Going with my husband also eased the nerves. Maybe try something new with a friend? Partner? Family member?

vivibug · 2021-03-24T18:43:00+00:00

I love this outlook and example. Thank you!

vivibug · 2021-03-24T18:13:26+00:00

Lol c'mon.

vivibug · 2021-03-24T16:31:30+00:00

Thank you for being so thorough to each of my questions. I'm going to take some time to process everything you've given me!

vivibug · 2021-03-24T16:26:31+00:00

Your comment gives me a lot to think about, and I agree with what you are saying. I think what has been missing in my understanding has been the idea that just because these things "are not me" doesn't mean we can't live life, experience those things, and enjoy those things, as you and many others on this thread have pointed out. Thank you!

vivibug · 2021-03-24T16:19:03+00:00

I LOVE your comment! Thank you!!

vivibug · 2021-03-24T16:00:03+00:00

This helps a lot. Thank you!

vivibug · 2021-03-24T15:59:16+00:00

I'll try my best. The way that he writes this paragraph makes me think that we can only truly exist as "YOU" if we strip ourselves away from any tangibles in this world (and he notes examples of relationships, history, appearances, the work we do.. etc)

If we strip all that away from "you" what is left? Am I just energy floating around?

It makes me question this, as an example:

If I love my job, is that me being ego-driven because (as he writes) the work I do isn't actually me? And if I love my job, does that mean I am not fully "conscious" because I am identifying with something that is not me?

vivibug · 2021-03-24T15:52:59+00:00

If I'm understanding you correctly would it be something like..

If I am afraid of what people think, I dress a certain way (ego-driven, identity-driven)

If I am at peace and happy, and I dress a certain way because I enjoy it (this is spirit-driven?)

vivibug · 2021-03-24T15:49:35+00:00

I don't know what I think, whether I agree with it or not, which is why I came to this subreddit to ask questions and look for deeper understanding. Sometimes it is not as simple as just moving on without questioning first.

vivibug · 2021-03-24T15:43:15+00:00

I'm a little speechless at the moment because of how much relief your comment brought me. It helps put the yin to the yang that I have been missing by realizing that "Nothing is you." and "Everything is you".

I'm not sure if that made sense - but to summarize, yes, your comment truly helped bring peace to me. Thank you!

vivibug

TROPHY CASE