Meet Katy Widrick who has combined her passion for fitness with a media-savvy career by incorporating online marketing in order to optimize her net worth while reaching the masses. Katy shows us how determination and drive can make your dream career a reality. – Sarah What attracted you to the field of health and wellness? I was always fairly active as a kid — I played soccer and swam for a local team, and I loved being outside. But during college and the years after graduation, I found myself on a stressful career path, working crazy hours and not taking good care of myself. I was overweight, listless and frustrated.

Then, I took a new job that really sparked my passion. I found myself excited to wake up every day, and motivated to find some balance in my life. I had the great opportunity to watch a group of masters triathletes take part in an event, and immediately I thought: I want to do that! The trouble was, I couldn’t run more than a quarter-mile without stopping, and I had never ridden a road bike.

With a goal in mind, I started to train. Slowly but surely, I got stronger and faster and better and I really liked the way I felt (and yes, the way I looked, too). I wanted to help others find a way to work fitness and healthy into their hectic lives, so I decided to get certified as a group fitness instructor and certified personal trainer.

Today, I’m a runner, a triathlete, a mom and much more — and I strongly believe that health and fitness are the key to happiness in all other aspects of life.

Your Job Title: Executive Producer (Growing Bolder); Online Marketing Consultant and Strategist (Make Media Over)

Company you are with now: Growing Bolder (a national multimedia production agency) and Make Media Over (my consulting business)

Website: http://katywidrick.com and http://makemediaover.com

Social Media:
 – Facebook: http://facebook.com/kwidrick
 – Instagram: kwidrick
 – Pinterest: kwidrick
 – Twitter: @kwidrick

A typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you: I have two young children and I work from home, so a typical day is hard to describe! Normally, I’m a morning person and love to work out before the rest of the family is up, but lately, I’ve had to embrace that sleep is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, so until the baby stops partying through the night, I’m shifting things around.

Having said that, I typically work from about 8am to 2pm, either working on online projects (websites, newsletters, etc.) or consulting with clients via Skype or phone. Because things are always busy and never on the same schedule, I set a series of alarms through the day to remind myself to eat, drink water, take a walk and more. I find that those really help, even on the busiest of days!

My kids are home with me in the late afternoon, and we love doing things outside: a trip to the playground, a walk to the park or something else is a great way for us to be together without toys, TVs or other distractions.

When my husband comes home, I either head out the door to take a fitness class or go for a run, or we all sit down for a delicious dinner and I get in a short workout after the meal.

There are a lot of nights that I put in another few hours of work, but that’s the best way for me to feel as if I’m really present with my family when they’re home, and still managing to keep everything afloat, business-wise. How did you get your current job in health and wellness? Before the birth of my second child, I was teaching weekly group fitness classes, but I took time off at the end of that pregnancy and through her first year (and because we moved during that time as well, I’m just now getting back into the teaching game!).

But I’ve always hustled for my opportunities. I try not to wait for them to come to me, so when I got my certifications, I asked friends and local contacts to help me spread the word that I was ready to teach and work with clients. I asked my favorite studios and fitness centers if they needed instructors, and subbed in for teachers who needed time off. What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I’m an extrovert, and I’m also very organized. That has certainly made it easier for me to launch and grow my own business and to start working with clients in the fitness space. Plus, I work with clients to help them develop online marketing strategies, and that’s been a great skill for getting the word out about my own work.

Having said that, I’ve gotten some great help from others who have inspired and taught me how to not just teach, but teach well. And I’ve certainly had to learn how to reach clients who may not be totally ready to make healthy changes in their lives, and to try to wait patiently until they’ve found the spark of inspiration themselves.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? I know it’s a cliche, but find something you love. I won’t tell you that it won’t be hard, because it will. When you turn your hobby into a job(by), it’s a really difficult transition because you have to be more disciplined about things like prices, your business structure, marketing, etc. But if you are passionate about what you do and who you do it with/for, it makes a huge difference.

And find a tribe. Whether it’s mentors who can answer your questions, or just a supportive group of people that can cheer you on (and cheer you up!), having others who do what you do is immensely helpful.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? Travel! I would love to see more of the world, but it’s difficult to justify the expense, and I’d love to bring my family along with me.

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.