It’s hard to believe ten years have passed since I moved from Toronto, Canada to Arlington, Virginia. It’s even more difficult to believe that BbG is where it is today…especially since I didn’t have a plan when I started out! In honor of our 10-year anniversary I thought it would be fun to take a walk down memory lane and thank those near and dear who’ve helped me along the way.
Back in 2002 the one thing I knew was that I needed a second career, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I was thinking personal assistant or something to do with retail, my first career. I diligently sent out my resume, which I discovered was mostly viewed online and apparently mostly ignored!
So here I was in Virginia with no direction known. I tried a few silly jobs that weren’t worth my time and was pondering my next move when my pal Karen Bate – college roommate, sorority sister and best friend -- suggested I think about a career of fitness. “You’ve always loved to exercise” she reminded me, and told me she’d just read that we should do what we love and the money will follow. Right about that time, one of my brothers-in-law told me about a personal training seminar at Sport and Health downtown. What the heck? I had absolutely nothing to lose so I signed up.
At the seminar, I met the owners of a local company called The Sergeants Program. (I was the one who kept raising her hand when the presenter asked for volunteers). They invited me to join their Instructor training program to see if I had what it took to be a “Sergeant.” I found out later that these guys were secretly laughing and very much doubted I’d make it through the grueling 10-week, 5 a.m. 5 day-a-week schedule. I proved them wrong, got myself promoted to Sergeant (most of our group did not) and eventually led my own little class every day at 5:30 am at Tuckahoe Field. Thank you TSP!
A few people learned I was a trainer and began asking if I’d train them privately. I always agreed (I was hungry!) but suggested they convince a friend or two to join them. I’d discovered the dynamics of group fitness were much more fun than the one-to-one thing. I also discovered that forming a connection with my clients was almost as important as the actual exercise.
I started a group with Karen and a few other ladies in our beloved Mad Manor neighborhood. We’d exercise in Karen’s basement and I called it “Operation Bikini.” I told them we’d emerge in the spring totally transformed! It was fun and we all got strong and fit – and we transformed the way we exercised!
So thank you Karen B first and foremost for getting me started on my (didn’t know it then) BbG Journey. Karen is also my on-call editor and P.R. consultant for all things BbG.
The next person on the list is Lisa Bauman. While watching a softball game one afternoon, Lisa announced that “next year was going to be her year to focus on herself.” I told her when she was ready, I’d be happy to whip her into shape. Lots of people talk about getting fit but not everyone follows through. Lisa did contact me and strong-armed some of her friends who became the early Madison Manor class: Kathy Sgroi, Carolyn Marsh, Kaye Haling…As word spread the class grew and most of the beginning group are still with us today! Tara Claeys was part of that early group too; who would have guessed that 10 years later she’d start her own web design company and end up building the new BbG site?!
I am very grateful to exerciser Cindy Irving who played a key role in helping BbG grow. Many years ago Cindy joined our 9:00 group at Glebe Park. Cindy told all her pals at Jamestown Elementary School about us, and before I knew it we had 30 exercisers at Glebe Park. We got so big we had to move to Potomac Overlook, which made the crotchety tennis ladies happy that we’d no longer take their parking spots. Cindy was also instrumental in formulating the monthly payment plan still in use today – and in 10 years, we’ve never raised our prices. Before the new system, I used to keep track of every person who came to class, then invoice them at the end of the month. Thank you Cindy for helping us grow and for saving me so much time!
There’s one very important person who works quietly behind the scenes to develop the BbG brand. My good friend Evelyn Powers of DesignPowers is as dedicated to making BbG look polished, professional and up to date as she is to her fitness. All those car magnets, tee shirt designs, newsletters and logos were designed by the one and only “Ev”. She’s worked very hard over the years to make us look great –better than the rest in my opinion. Thank you Evelyn -- where would BbG be without your talent and expertise?
Did you know that our amazing instructors Susie, Amy, Christa and Tammy have been with us for more than 5 years? Yep, these girls are dedicated hard workers. They consistently go way above and beyond the call of duty. They work well together, are always positive and help to make our schedule of classes run seamlessly. I am proud and blessed to have such a stand out team. Thank you fabulous instructors!
My list of people to thank would not be complete without a very big note of gratitude to our exercisers. I never forget for one second that without our loyal clients there would be no BbG. Thank you all for spreading the good word over these ten years. Thank you for showing up to class regardless of the weather. Thank you for smiling through some grueling workouts, for your good humor and all the laughs we’ve shared, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to be such a big part of your health and your lives.
Happy 10-Year Anniversary to Everyone at BbG!
