Meet Carrie West Harper, owner of CarrieFit & member of Team Rockstar Fit, who inspires clients to stay fit & healthy. She trains people online & writes, too! – Sarah What attracted you to the field of fitness and exercise? I was dragged to a “step aerobics” class in 1993, and I fell in love with fitness! I certified less than a year later.

Your Job Title: Owner, CarrieFit Member, Team Rockstar Fit

Company you are with now: CarrieFit, Beachbody

Website: www.carriefit.com

Other Social Media Links/handles: www.facebook.com/carriefit www.twitter.com/carriewharper www.linkedin.com/in/carriefit www.pinterest.com/carriefit www.carriefit.tumblr.com www.youtube.com/user/carriefit

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you: I coach and train a lot online, so I spend a couple of hours in the morning and evening connecting with people all over the world who need help with their own health and fitness. I also work on my own health and fitness, using many types of exercise and learning about nutrition. I write my findings on my own blog site and am a freelance writer as well. The best part: being the wife to a brilliant man and the mom of two incredible kids.

How did you get your current job in fitness and exercise? I decided to own CarrieFit in 2004, when I realized I needed to be in charge of my own thing, instead of relying on a fitness center to control my schedule and salary. I joined Team Rockstar in May of 2012, which is the smartest decision I have made in my fitness career. Being surrounded by like-minded fitness professionals who all chip in to help each other is priceless in this business. You can’t find a better group of leaders.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? Unfortunately, I was born with perfectionism. I am now a recovering perfectionist. Being a perfectionist made me terrified on the unknown, and horrified of making mistakes. I have learned (since becoming a mom) that being perfectionistic does nothing for my personal or professional life. Learning to live again is the best gift I have given myself!

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? 1. Be passionate about what you do. 2. Be honest, real, and imperfect. 3. Stay positive 4. Don’t do it alone.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? True success to me means being in complete control of my time.

Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist specializing in Weight Management and Sports Nutrition for youth and adults. She writes articles for multiple publications, provides customized nutrition coaching, and is a brand spokesperson. She is founder of Family. Food. Fiesta.Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.