4 Ways to Turn Your Side Hustle into Your Full-Time Gig.
I am now a full-time Coach and Movement Facilitator.
It isn’t my side hustle anymore, it is my full-time gig. Sometimes I giggle at the curiosity of life and how I have ended up living in
Berlin and building my own business.
Let’s rewind a little…
After studying Psychology and completing a Mindfulness training, I had no idea what I wanted to do. So I trained as a Pilates instructor in Melbourne at Breath Education (@breathe.education). This is where the movement facilitation piece began for me. It opened my eyes to the responsibility we have as instructors to facilitate a group environment for our clients. I have an insane amount of respect for the work of Luke Postlethwaite (@thebiomechanics) and Stephanie Glickman (@armaturepilates). Luke created the space for us to talk about the Biopsychosocial model and how that will impact how we engage with our clients and as a Psychology student, I was all about this! Steph’s curiosity and love for all kinds of movement really touched me so if you are in Melbourne definitely check both of them and their businesses out! I never once thought that I would go out on my own and build my own thing - I thought it would remain a side hustle. However, circumstances change and after being made redundant from my full-time HR job, I needed to pivot. Are you feeling scared about taking the big step? Are you worried about the financial security? Read on…
Find what lights you up...
After moving to Berlin, I really struggled teaching Pilates. I found that most Pilates classes were very rehabilitation focused. Coming from a fitness background in Melbourne this was a tough pill for me to swallow and I definitely disconnected a little. After battling with it for a couple of months I decided to quit… TRYING TO FIT IN! Thus the Power Reformer classes were born. All my regulars were SO pumped to find a Pilates class with a bit of spice and I even had a few Aussies and Kiwis coming to my classes telling me that they had heard there was an Aussie instructor teaching classes like those you would find in Melbourne.. I had found my way back to what I loved about movement and I haven’t looked back since. I want you to etch this to your memory my dear:
💥 Do what lights you up and make it work for you.
💥 Create with loving energy and receive loving energy back.
I did what I loved and others loved it in return - this is the secret sauce!
Don’t know what lights you up? Try these journal prompts…
What did you spend the most time doing as a child? Maybe ask your parents about this one if you can’t remember.
When was the las time you lost track of time doing something you enjoyed? What was it? What about that activity allowed you to be fully present?
Seize the moment...
When the pandemic hit, I put all my classes online the same day and did not skip a beat. We were going to get through this pandemic by staying connected, moving and growing together. It was all done through Zoom and fast forward 6 months I have moved myself over to Instagram and have created The Piece by Piece Movers community (@piecebypiece_movers) where I now have over 150 sessions in an online studio library. I didn’t have it all figured out, I flew from the seam of my pants. I didn’t know if it would flop and I remember being scared that I would lose all my clients because they wouldn’t want to shift over to Instagram for the sessions. But the value I created by giving them the option to have on demand classes was SO WORTH IT and that is what many of them love most about the community now!
Winging it isn’t for everyone. You might feel that tight knot in your chest thinking about having no plan but it works for me. It is always about finding what works for you and 1:1 coaching gives you an amazing opportunity to flesh those things out with an impartial third party (that’s me!). Seizing the moment can also mean gather your resources. Learn what you need to from the position you are in, build your network, start creating your scaffold so that when an opportunity does present itself, you have done some of the ground work already!
Make it meaningful...
Have you heard of the idea that if you aren’t working to dismantle the system, you are participating in it? I am building a community built on radical action. In a world that teaches us we are not good/thin/white/rich enough, it is radical to choose yourself, to see yourself and accept yourself. This is what underpins all that I do. There is a thriving multi billion dollar industry that feeds you self hatred and we have all been eating from that spoon long enough. My goal is to introduce as many people as possible to the idea that you CAN throw that spoon in the bin. You can stop consuming self hatred and start fostering self-compassion. By making it meaningful, I am inspired every day. I am motivated to get out of bed because I understand the difference I am creating. When I speak about what I do and my offer, I never feel uncomfortable or that I am trying to ‘sell' something’ because I know I offer amazing value to those who are willing to begin their journey.
Get clear on your goals...
My goal is to be able to build The Piece by Piece community consciously.
💥I want to create a sliding pay scale in order to foster inclusivity in this space. (Update - I have created my sliding pay scale)
💥 I want to give back to marginalised communities through a monthly donation taken from my income. (Update - I am giving back on a monthly basis)
Of course there is always more I can do and as I absorb more information and grow, more will come. These are all the things I currently see in the future of the Piece by Piece Movers community. Perhaps we grow this community and change lives together?
So, here I am, building a community (piece by piece) that fights the oppression of those in bodies that aren’t deemed ‘worthy’ all whilst having an absolute ball, doing what I love to do; celebrating what our bodies can do. This is only one piece of the puzzle.. Part 2 and 3 of this blog series will shine a light on my other elements of my passions that I have turned into income.
I still can’t help but giggle and gratefully think, “how the hell did I end up here?” But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else 🤸🏾♀️
Do you want to become the leader in your life?
Let’s connect and see what magic we could create, book your free 30min clarity call.
This image shows an Autumnal background & Chantelle with a big grin on her face throwing leaves toward the camera.
