Today’s Notable Young Professional is Cityline health and fitness expert Stephanie Joanne, who’s offers her advice, motivation and education through all forms of media including broadcast television, internet and print, as well as speaking engagements. What was the inspiration for her career route? Find out in today’s profile…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
I want to improve people’s lives through fitness and health. I love to work with people directly as well as offer my advice, motivation and education through all forms of media including broadcast television, internet and print, as well as speaking engagements. I’m fortunate enough to have all of these outlets to help get my message out to the public.
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
There are so many devastating effects when there is an absence of healthy living; people are being robbed of their quality of life and I want to help improve this. The majority of our population is at risk for not getting the most out of life. Without having stable physical, emotional and mental happiness, and no common goal of good health, we are destined to fail. I want to see people succeed in their goals, not only in health and fitness, but in their lives.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my day is definitely when a client looks at me and says they can’t and I show them they can. Your mind is a powerful thing; when you believe you can, you will. I love being a part of helping someone realize this. I love when clients or viewers share with me that I made their day better with an e-mail, Facebook post or tweet, it makes my job worth doing!
The most challenging part: I have to understand that I cannot change the world, even though I want to. I want everyone to feel what fit feels like. It is the best feeling in the world when you are able to control your body instead of continuously allowing our bodies to control us.
Where do you see your business going in five years?
I look at my business as a brand with a message first. However, if I can get my message out there and touch as many lives as possible, I will do it. I will put out products, web and media content, DVDs, and attend as many events as I can so that I can show as many people as possible that it is achievable to become in control of your own body. Ownership and being the operator of our bodies needs to be given back to the individuals who feel they have lost control. People are spending so much energy on waiting and searching for someone to “tell” them what to do and how to do it, what to eat, how to move. People need to stop and realize that there are infinite solutions. The key to the ANSWER for each individual is as unique to this solution as they are unique to the world. People need to take the time “figuring” themselves out. There is a lot of great stuff out there and a lot of it works. I will take my business as far as I can to preach and communicate a dream of helping people connect themselves to their very unique and personal answer.
What does success look like to you?
Success is my quality of time. I call it my happiness project. All I have to do every single day is be happy. How do I do this? I’ve decided for myself I need a few things to be happy. I must fulfill my human potential to the best of my ability, I must live without ever having said that I wish I did something differently or I wish I tried. I must value my relationships first, I must never intentionally hurt anyone, and I must honour my word. If I stick to my own requirement of my happiness project, then I am successful in business and in life.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Never compare yourself to anyone around you. Work and deliver. Do not become a dreamer without action. Do what you said you were going to do and then do it when you said you were going to. Remain humble. Surround yourself with mentors whom you respect. Be prepared that many things will fail. Many ideas will fail. Failure is a beautiful thing; it’s how we all learn.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
My heart is in Fitfutures. I’ve worked with Jump Rope for Heart, Heart and Stroke, and I make myself available to appear and lend a helping hand as often as I can. My heart is with guiding our youth to a healthier future.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iEVERYTHING.
How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
It’s mind over matter. There sure are many days when I feel like doing nothing and eating junk food, BUT nothing feels better than fit feels and I know this. I love life when I am fit and I am fit when I love life. The only thing I need to do is keep being fit and keep loving life every single day!