“and just as the Phoenix rose from the ashes, she too will rise”

I posted this quote on my Instagram on July 16th… the day I was let go from my job. I went into work ready to teach my favorite class – 6am HIIT. It was a small class, but the energy brought by the participants made it feel as if there was 50 people there. But, a few hours later, I was forced to leave. And not on my terms. I left confused, hurt, devastated, scared, crushed, anger, sad, bewildered. You name it, I felt it. I put my heart and soul into this job and the carpet was just ripped out from right under me. I developed great friendships with those that came through that door. Like I said, I was shocked.

I came home crying to Andrew, sobbing so hard, that he couldn’t understand me. But once he was able to decipher what I was saying, he was just as confused as I was. And then he immediately began comforting me. Once I calmed down, we talked about it for a while, and what our future looked like. One thing we could agree on was that this was going to be a blessing in disguise.

I only told a few people right away. Andrew, my closest friends, and my sister. No one else knew. For weeks, I kept this a secret. I was ashamed, and I just couldn’t bear to tell my parents (I thought they were going to be so disappointed in me, but thankfully I was wrong).

I took a few days to just reflect. To just get away from town and my own head. To take a breather and try to relax. I needed to clear my mind, so I could figure out my next move. And that’s when Andrew told me that it was time. That this was my sign. It was the universe’s way of telling me to go all in. Dive head first into starting my own fitness business. I mean, ever since I was 19 and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would tell them that I wanted to be the next Denise Austin – that I wanted my own fitness empire. Me being let go was the universe’s way of showing that it was fed up of me just saying my dreams and not actually acting on them. The universe took charge and opened the door, and then pushed me through it.

Fast forward to three months later. It’s October and I had my first profitable month! OH YAY! My first profitable month came just shy of three months of venturing out on my own. To me, that’s pretty freaking incredible, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself! And now, being about halfway through November, I’ve already surpassed my October earnings! SAY WHAT?! Now grant it, I’m not pulling in the big bucks, yet, but I am making enough to support myself. And to me, that is me rising from my ashes.

That is me taking control of my life.

That is me paving my own way.

And this is me laying the foundation for my soon to be wellness empire. Just wait, in a few years, I guarantee you’ll be saying that you’ve been with me when I was starting my journey (and I am forever thankful to you)!

I know it won’t be easy, heck, it hasn’t been easy. And I know that there is a lot of work ahead of me. But isn’t that what life is about? About doing something that you are so passionate about that you can’t even put it into words?

So my friend, I ask you, what are you passionate about? Are you spending the majority of your day working toward your passion? If not, what could you change? Life is all about being passionate. Don’t wait for the universe to kick you through the door, find the door and open it yourself.

Until next time,

Xox

Veronica

PS – Thank you Universe <3