#18: How Amy left her corporate job to live her calling as a personal trainer and fitness coach

It's an amazing feeling to know that you get to wake up every day doing something that you love and it doesn't feel like work.

Hello. Welcome back to the Aligned Coach Podcast. This is your host, Lindsay Baddio. Thank you so much for tuning in today. Whether you are a returning listener or you are a new listener, I'm honored to have you. Thank you. Thank you. So, today's episode, first of all, is so, so good. We had so much fun during this interview. We're actually going to be going, hopping over to an interview that I had with Amy, who is a personal trainer and fitness coach. She actually just left her corporate job to go full in, full time as a coach. Congratulations, Amy. Yay. After really seeing huge amounts of growth and huge leaps in her business. Over the past 3, 4 months. So we're going to do an amazing interview with her. However, before we jump over there, I have a few announcements. Oh, so exciting. So as of the time this episode comes out, I will have just wrapped up the launch of the Collective, the Aligned Coach Collective. Don't worry, it's still available. Y'all, you can still hop into the Aligned Coach Collective, which is the monthly membership for coaches who are looking to focus on sales, right? Who are really trying to amplify their sales and who are really trying to call in consistent clients. So if you're a coach and you're like, Lindsay, yes, I'm tired of being in high and low months. Lindsay, yes, like I need to figure out my lead generation process. This is for you, okay? So the Align Coach Collective is a monthly membership. It's less than $200 a month. There is no commitment, there's no contract. This is a community. It's basically like, y'all, like really, it's like a group program without a contract, honestly. Like, it's so, so good. So anyways, as of the time this comes out, I'm not actively promoting this right now, but it is always going and I will have the link in the show notes if you want to check out that collective. And yeah, and actually right now, as whenever this show comes out, I will have 2 spots available for private coaching right now. So this is for the coach that's making consistent $2K cash money months, right? Clients are trickling in and you're just really feeling like you're trading your time for money at this point, right? You feel like there's a cap on your income. There's a cap on what you can do. You don't really have any systems built out. You're doing everything alone, everything by yourself. I'm putting all the pieces together yourself and you're really looking to go from manager, right? Manager type to CEO type. So if that sounds like you, I graciously invite you to message me over on Instagram, the word Queen. It's so simple, y'all. Message me the word Queen and I will send you the application process, or my assistant Irene will send you that application and we'll have a conversation and see if that's the best fit for you, for you to work one-on-one in a private container with me to really scale your business and have consistent $7,000, $8,000, $9,000, $10,000 cash money months, right? Cash money months, y'all, by hiring out, creating systems in your business. So I will put that plug right there and I would let us go ahead and hop into today's interview because it was so freaking good. Amy actually gives us recipes for craving your sweet tooth. She gives us a sweet kick in the butt for whenever we're just not feeling it and whenever we're not really prioritizing our health or our energy and we should be. So this episode is so, so good. It's so honest and she's just such a genuine soul, y'all. I really think that you're going to enjoy this. Of course, leave a review. Y'all let me know what you want to hear more of. What were your favorite takeaways? I would love to hear that from you. And while you're listening, feel free to leave or to post this over on Instagram, tag me in it, and I'll send a special gift over to you. Okay. So without further ado, let's hop on over to our interview with Amy. Okay. Hello everyone. Welcome back to the Aligned Coach Podcast. I have a really awesome guest here, here with us today. I'm so excited. So excited to have Amy on. She is a powerhouse of a personal trainer, health coach. I am so excited to have her in today to share her journey of coming into her own business and really stepping into the online world and what it has been like for her and also for her to share some healthy habits with us. I am sure that we could all use some healthy habits and just, you know, managing being an entrepreneur and being a healthy, thriving woman, right? Because I think we could all use help there. So thank you so much, Amy. I'm so excited to have you on today.

Yeah, thank you. Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here.

Yay. Awesome. Awesome, Amy. Okay, so I'm curious, where are you in the world?

So I basically just started, uh, probably in November transitioning into my own business and within 2 months everything took off. So by January I had my first $10K month enrolling in clients. And since January, everything's just been going up. And I'm at the point now where I'm about to hire an assistant co-coach, just because of how everything has picked up in business and how the world's coming back to normal. People are wanting to change their lives. Spring's coming, summer will be here soon. So my life pretty much went from like zero to $60,000 in 90 days.

Wow, isn't that amazing how fast that can happen?

It, it really, really honestly is. And I think like the biggest thing that I had to change was like my mindset around it. Because I mean, it's, it is scary at first, like going all in, like, I was working a corporate 9 to 5 job, I no longer am working for obviously for that anymore. I'm working for myself now. And I was able to do it in 90 days. I just kind of had to change my mindset around it and change the way that I viewed it and just be like, F it. Like, you can do this. Like, if you just show up and put in the work, like, you can get there. And then now here we are in March and looking back from November, like, I didn't think that I would be anywhere near as where I am right now.

Wow. Congratulations. Like, that is so huge. And not even like, oh, you had a $10K month or, oh, it's the money. Like, congratulations on just like going all in on yourself and right. You wanted.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Because I just figured like if, if I didn't, then I never would because there's never going to be like a right time or a perfect time to start anything. Like whether it's your own business or your own health and fitness journey. Like I feel like everyone's always looking for the perfect moment, but there's never going to be one. So you just have to kind of get over the fear and just jump and then let it let you land wherever you land.

So good. That's so good. Yeah, you're so right. So did— I'm just curious, did you quit your job before like September, October, November, like whenever you went in, or was it like, okay, like I had a great month, I'm doing good, I can sustain myself, and then you sort of like made, made this logical decision?

So I would say probably in November, is where I first started thinking about quitting my corporate job. And then in the middle of January, that's when I was just like, yeah, this is— my business is picking up and it's going to keep going. And I, I foresee the future and I can see that this is going to be okay. So I told my boss, I'm like, look, and they had known that I was— I'd been doing fitness. I'd been doing it for 2 years that eventually like it was going to lead me in that direction of becoming my full-time job. But I don't think that they expected it to happen within 60 to 90 days. So yeah, I would say it was a little bit of a— not a warning, but kind of like, yeah, I'm going to be doing it. But 60 days later, yeah, it's here, it's happening. So I'm gonna have to, to peace out. Because I can find it because that was one of the things that I knew that I wanted to be smart about it. Like, I needed to know that I was financially going to be stable enough to leave my corporate job and be able to work for myself. And once, you know, I came down to it, crunch the numbers, clients are coming in, I'm taking in more clients. I knew that, you know, I could do it and really invest in myself and invest my all back into my clients so that way they have my full undivided attention. And I'm not having to split it up between like, oh, I'm sorry, I have to work my 9 to 5. And then, then maybe after 5 PM, you know, we can meet and do whatever. So So now I'm able to actually give everything into my business and my clients. So yeah, yeah.

I love the fact that you kind of made that, you know, you made that statement. You said I waited until you waited until you were at a point where you knew that your business was picking up. You crunched the numbers. You said, okay, this makes sense now. Now I can comfortably leave. I think that sometimes, and I, and honestly, like I made the decision to leave my job. I was a teacher. And I made the decision to leave my job like before I knew that it was going to be okay. It was like, all right, I'm going to do this and I'm going to go all in. Right. But I think that it can be— it's scary to do that, you know, for sure. And it almost sometimes it can do a disservice for your business because I hear this all the time from new coaches and they're like, I, you know, I'm going to quit my job and I'm just going to go all in. It's like, okay, on one hand, it's so awesome, like put your feet to the fire. But on the other hand, Like if you, and this is like, and this is gonna rain on some people's parade, you know, because they say, oh, quit your job, it'll all work itself out. But like, it's almost like putting all that pressure on yourself, you know, putting that pressure on yourself to like make your hobby or make your passion, right? Because your passion is to help people and to help them, you know, have a healthy lifestyle. So it's like you're putting all that pressure on your passion, you know, and then it's, I don't know, I think sometimes it can be counterproductive. To quit your job or to let go of like that reliable source of income before you've gotten to that point. Yeah.

Yeah, for sure. Yeah. I— that was something that, you know, held me back a little bit. And like, realistically, like, I could have done this a year ago, 2 years ago, but it was just the fear of the unknowing. And for whatever reason, something 90+ days ago clicked in my head and was like, just work towards it and just do it. Do what you can. When it makes sense, you'll know. And in January, just, it made sense for me to just peace out.

I love that. Oh my gosh. Okay. So what you said that this started like 2 years ago, what did that look like 2 years ago? Was it always like online or like you started doing stuff in person? What did your journey look like?

So 2 years ago, so it's all online unless I'm requested in person. But obviously they have to be around the area. But I'm mostly virtual because I've got clients all over the place where I can't, I can't be in a different state with you. But you know, I can be virtually with you. So 2 years ago, it was kind of in person. I never really worked at a gym. It was more of just like you meet with me at because I had like 6 gym memberships and I would just go and meet them because I knew like I didn't want to work under corporate anything. Like I just, not me, not my thing. Like I want to be able to train someone the way I want to train them, not the way a gym is going to tell me to train them. So I would say from 2 years ago until now, like I just started investing more into myself. Like I have my own fitness app. That's how I train my clients. Yeah, so I just decided to do all these things that would bring me to a point to where I don't need to work under someone in order to help change someone's life when I'm the one doing it and not the gym. You know what I mean?

Yeah, totally. It's like, I don't want you to tell me what to do or how to do it. I'm going to do it my way. And then what's right?

Yes. Because I obviously, like, I know what worked. Like, it worked for me. Like, I had my own transformation. I lost over 60 pounds. Like, I've been able to keep it off. I didn't have to restrict myself of eating and rely on chicken and broccoli for every meal because that's just not realistic. Like, who really wants to eat that every day for the rest of their life? Like, that's not, that's not the way people should be taught that that's how they're going to reach their goals, just because that's not something that's realistic. Like, we're not just going to eat that every single day for forever. And I just, I didn't, I don't mesh well with some of the messages that Some trainers in corporate gyms try to like push on people. I just feel like people need to be taught that they can live their life the way that they want to and still be able to achieve their results sustainably.

Yeah. Wow. So passionate. Yeah. You're so right. And I think that that's true with like any type of coaching, you know, like we, we have gotten our own transformation. We know it, right? We also know it's bullshit, right? Like, yeah, like don't do this, do this, you know? So that's why we're so passionate, you know, about with the people that we help and why it is that we do what we do.

Yeah, right.

Yeah. Okay. So where, where are you located? Where are you?

I'm in Virginia.

Virginia. Okay. Awesome. We're both East Coast.

Where are you at?

I'm in Georgia.

Oh, okay.

Yeah.

Both East Coast.

You can probably hear it in my accent. I hear it all. Yeah.

I've gotten asked from people that are in my area where I'm from, and I'm like, I'm from here. From here?

Yeah. What do you mean? Yeah, what do you mean? What do you mean?

Where am I from? I'm from here.

Where are you from?

Here.

Oh my gosh, that's funny. Yeah. So, okay. So I love what you said about, you know, just doing your own thing, really trusting yourself, like trusting the yes in your body. You know, whenever it was time, whenever you were like, okay, like this is it, it's time for me to go all in. And then even along the way, you know, like you've got this, your own app, like that's so cool. I wouldn't even know where to start to do that. Like that's really cool. And it was like, and a lot of times also, like I'm glad that we like, we dove into that a little bit because it's easy to think that someone's success happens overnight, right? It's like, oh yeah, I had my first $10K month in 60 days. But like, you also had the 2 years before that, right? You had a whole life before that. You know, you had the whole, your whole weight loss journey before that, right? So I just feel like anyone listening, like, this is your confirmation that like you never know how close you are to success. You never know how close you are to like that big break, right?

Yeah.

And like to know that like nothing happens overnight, right?

Like, you know, you did the work.

Nothing happens overnight. And that behind— and this is a quote I heard not that long ago— it's like, behind every overnight success is like years of hard work, right? It's all of these small decisions over time that actually got them there.

Right, right. It's like the power of never saying no. Like, the more you say yes, the more opportunity leads in your direction. Yeah, I love that. I just, yeah, I just like saying no is okay sometimes, but I just feel like the more you say yes and the more you keep your mind open to new opportunities and new things, like that's just more doors that could open to you like in the future. Like doing anything that causes you to make a change in your life is, duh, going to be scary, but nothing changes unless you change it.

So good. Was there a time in your life where you had to like tell yourself, okay, like this is where I have to change. This is my moment. Like I have to say yes. Like this is like a pivotal moment in your life, you know, because I know like whenever we speak passionately about stuff like that, like there's usually like a backstory somewhere. So yeah, do you have any like time or event or anything like that in your life where you were like, okay, this is it, I gotta, I gotta do this, say yes right now?

Yeah, it was when I hired like my, my business coach and marketing coach because I mean, I can train people all day long, but that's my expertise. My expertise is not networking and marketing and business coaching and all of that. Like, yeah, I can train people, I can get them results. But as far as like marketing everything, like, I don't know anything about that. So obviously, like, I have to hire someone for that. Like, I have to make that investment. In order to be able to get out there to reach more people. And that was something scary for me because they're like, okay, well, you know, this is what you have to do and yada, yada, yada. And like for a minute I was hesitant and I wasn't going to do it. I wasn't gonna— and I was not going to invest in myself because I just thought, well, wow, like I don't think I'm going to be able to do that. And then I was like, nope, nope, just just do it. So it changed from about 45 seconds to where I almost talked myself out of it. And then I, again, I was like, if you don't, if you don't do it now, like you never will. Like you'll be in the same place that you were 2 years ago. So, so just do it. So just do it. Because what do you, what do you have to lose? Like nothing. Yeah, I have nothing to lose. I mean, like, yes, I'll get there. But I mean, it could be like 60 days from now, a year from now. But it just so happened it like escalated so quickly that I was like, holy shit, I'm so glad I did that. Like, I'm so glad I made that decision because if I didn't, then I wouldn't be where I'm at right now.

That's amazing. OK, so just for anyone listening, like Amy and I actually met on Instagram. This is our first time ever even having a conversation like like we've talked back and forth. So like, I'm getting to know the story just as y'all are, as you all are listening. Okay, so Amy, would you say that like after you made that investment, you got direction, like you got clarity around like how to do the business portion of it? Was that like around the time that you started like seeing the momentum in your business?

Yes, for sure. For sure. Yeah. I, it was the, like, the best investment that I could ever, like, I just enrolled in their, like, 2.0 program because, like, I knew, like, I, like, I need that, like, for, for me. I need it for my business. Like, everything that, that they're teaching me is worth every single penny. And had I not made that investment, I would not be where I am today. I'd probably still be in my corporate job, hating life, not pursuing like my passion. And you know, like my mom always said, like, if you, if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. And I feel like I finally have that now. And it's, it's an amazing feeling to know that you get to wake up every day doing something that you love and it doesn't feel like work and seeing Seeing like me seeing people change and like how their perspectives have changed towards like health and fitness. And, and it's, and it's not all about just like health and fitness. Like it's about our mindset too. Like watching these people change their lives and being thankful for me for what I'm providing, like gives me so much gratitude to where it makes me go right back to God, I'm so glad I did this. Like, I'm so glad I didn't say no. Yeah. Yeah.

And it trickles like, you know, it's like a ripple effect because yeah, that much better, right? Like you show up with that, like that whole like renewed energy of like, I get to do this every single day and that ripples out like your clients, right?

Yeah.

They feel good. And then that goes to their family, you know, that goes to their kids, they have more energy with their partners, their, you know, their work, anything like that, like their career. Like, it's just like, I love it. That's why I love coaching so much. And just like this, you know, the transformational space, because it's not just you and it's not just your clients. Like, it's beyond that, you know? Like, yeah, literally, like, we're raising the vibration of the whole world.

Exactly, exactly.

Yeah.

Like, they just, they begin to be more positive in general, like their outlooks and stuff. Like, just completely start to change. And it's, it's amazing to like to watch. It's, it's though, it's such a great feeling.

And to be a part of it. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, for sure.

Okay. So I want to, I want to get down to business now. So what would you say is like key to like, because you are like that, you're the health coach or you have your certification and everything, like you have experience in this, not just like your life experience, but you've got like the goods to back it, right? So I want to know, what would you say is like key? Because so many listeners, and even myself included, you know, like we go, go, go, go, go, we work, we run our business, we serve our clients, like, and now that you too are like full time in the coaching world, and full time serving your clients, what is like the key to kind of like maintaining the balance? Like with taking care of yourself and serving, right? Like, what do you think that it's different from whenever you work a 9 to 5? And you know, you're working out versus like, okay, now I'm an entrepreneur and now I'm a coach and I'm at home all day. Like, what are you doing? Like, what would you recommend for any of our listeners to do to take care of themselves?

Yeah. So I would— I just set aside like a schedule because I just feel like if I don't have a schedule, I'm not doing it. So my, my biggest tip would just be like, find a time that's best for you and get And something is always better than nothing. So if you can't go to the gym and spend an hour or two, then do 20 minutes of just some outdoor cardio. YouTube has plenty of free videos on there. Like any type of movement is gonna be good for your body regardless of how much time that it is. So if you're able, if you, and I always tell people, if you have time to scroll through your phone for more than 15 minutes at a time, you have no excuse not to get up and get your body moving. Or if you have time to binge watch your favorite Netflix show either every night after dinner or before like the kids go to bed, like if you have time to do that, you have time to get in some movement. So I would say time management, it's gonna be important. Like you just have to figure out like, How does your day look? And then figure out those times that you're not doing anything productive. That's when you can get some type of movement in.

Yes. Yeah. I heard that. Yeah.

Like, like for me, like I know my days are busy and I know realistically if I want to be able to get it in for me, I'm going to have to get up early. Like I get up at 4 o'clock every morning. Do y'all really think I want to get up at 4 AM every morning? No, I like my beauty sleep. But I also know that, you know, it's important to me. Like, I love the, the feeling that I get after a workout, like the endorphins and everything that, that you get. Like, just the— for anyone who's ever worked out, they know what feeling like I'm talking about. Like, after, like, like, damn, I feel like I feel really good after that. Like, I know if I don't get up at 4, like, I'm not I'm gonna get it done after a long day of working and talking and doing this and doing that. And then like 5 o'clock here and I'm like, like I could wind down or go to the gym, but it's 5 o'clock. Like I just, you have to suck it up. Like you just have to suck it up and you just have to do it.

I love your attitude, Amy. Like I love it.

Do it.

Just do the damn thing.

I know I tell my clients all the time, like, look, I'm really not— I'm, I'm not mean, but like, I, I'm going to give you tough love because if I don't, then who will? Like, accountability is the number one thing most people need, is that they need someone to tell them, get up, go do it. I have clients that request me to text them either in the morning or at night after they get off work and tell them to work out. So I have reminders set on my phone. Text so-and-so and send them accountability texts. And I'm like, hey beautiful, hope you had a great day. Get your butt to the gym, go get those results 'cause this is what we're here for. So yeah, you just have to hold yourself accountable and you have to make the time.

Love it, suck it up buttercup, let's get it.

Yeah, suck it up buttercup. And I always tell people like, remember your why. Like, why do you want this? Is it because you have a pair of jeans in the back of your closet that have been sitting in there for 3 or 4 years, but you refuse to throw them away because you're like, no, I'm gonna fit back into those one day. Like, that's what you need to think of. Like, that should be motivation enough for you right there to be like, okay, like, I really wanna get back into those jeans, or I really wanna fit into a crop top and shorts this summer, so I need to get up, I need to get some type of movement in, I need to take care of my health, or I wanna be able to run around with my kids. I don't want to have to sit on the floor and play with them. Like, those are the things that I try to tell my clients to think about is always remember the why, the reasoning behind why you want to do this. Yep.

Yep. And it's like, for me, like, honestly, as you're speaking, this is what I'm thinking of. For me, like, I remember during the pandemic, you know, we couldn't go to the gym. Like, whenever everything was like locked down, we couldn't go to the gym. So I actually had gotten like a Beachbody subscription during that time. And I remember like in my garage and I hated it. Like, I hated every second of working out. Garage. It's so hot in Georgia. It's so humid. And I'm like, I freaking hate this. But while I was doing it, I'm thinking in my head, like, I don't— like, this is, this is my motivation. Like, I do not want to be, as I get older, you know, and I'm like 50 or 60, like, I still want to be mobile. Like, I don't want to be like the mom or the grandparent that can't move around, that can't play with her kids. Like, I don't know, something about thinking about like that future self, because right now, like, I'm healthy for the most part. Like, I'm fine, you know, but like thinking about the future, like thinking about me as like, a little old lady. Like, that's what's motivating to me, you know? Like, right, I want to be the old lady, like, with the guns, you know, like with the smoke. Yeah, that's what I want to be. So that's what I think about whenever I really don't want to work out. Like, you can do this. You want to be the old lady with the guns. Like, just keep going.

No, and it's so true. And it's not just about like what you can achieve, like, in 90 days from now or a year from now. It's like, think about like long-term. So that's perfect. Like what you just said, like for me, like I look at it as like I want to add on the longevity to my life. Like, yes, I want to be able to live as, as long as I possibly can. And I know that if I am living a healthy lifestyle, if I'm eating like I'm supposed to and I'm eating fairly well and I'm working out, then I'm not going to— I'm going to be less at risk for health problems and being immobile than some of, you know, the people at our age that choose not to take care of their health. Because it's— yes, like everyone wants to look good, but there's so much more than that that people don't understand, that living this way actually benefits you more than just liking what you see in the mirror, which that's not important to people. I know that, like, they want to look good in the bikini on the beach. Like, I get it. But there's also like so much more that— and that's where I come in and that's what I teach them. Like throughout my program is like, yeah, we all want to look good, but like here's the reasoning why we're doing what we're doing.

That's the surface level, right? It's kind of like with me, like, yeah, you want to make money, but why? Like what, what is that going to bring you? You know, that's the surface level. Like what's up?

Yeah, yeah, exactly. It's like you can look like the snack, but all the ingredients that go into looking like the snack Those are the important stuff.

I just want to be a snack. Oh my God. So good. Okay. So speaking of snacks. Okay. So like, Amy, like help me. Like I have this sweet tooth, girl. Like how do I get rid of it? Like straight up, like that's like my weakness. Like I work out, I'm active every day. Like I'm vegetarian. Like I eat vegetables, but like it is the sweets for me. And especially like being home in the middle of the day. And I'm like, okay, let me just run in here in between this call and I'll go grab like, because the kids like, we'll get them like Swiss rolls or something like that. And I'm like, let me just get the Swiss roll right now, you know. So like, what do you recommend for like your clients that are like struggling with like a sweet tooth, you know, or like the cereal at bedtime? Like how, like, what do you recommend for them for that?

So I really like Kind bars. Yeah, I know. So they have like a dark chocolate mocha almond one. Oh, here we go. Sorry, sorry about that. Um, yeah, they have a dark chocolate almond one. That one is amazing, especially if you're a chocolate kind of person, and that's got your healthy fats. It'll create the sweet tooth. Um, for my clients, I also recommend Do you take protein supplements?

I do. Yes, I take a powder supplement. Yes.

Ghost Protein has a Chips Ahoy flavor.

We've had that one. We're not taking it right now, but yes, we do have that one. Or we've had it.

So I tell my clients, for anyone who likes yogurt, or do you like Greek yogurt? Yeah, girl. Okay, so vanilla Greek yogurt, 1 scoop of the Chips Ahoy. And for those listening, Ghost, they actually put the chunks of the cookie in their protein powder. So when you mix it with the yogurt, I throw in a scoop of that. I'll throw in some like Lily's dark chocolate. I'll put it in the freezer and freeze it, and it turns into ice cream consistency.

Stop it.

Yes, yes, yes. That's— I've made waffles with it. 1 scoop of protein powder, 1 egg, then you have chocolate chip waffles. Like, there's your sweet tooth breakfast idea.

Wow, girl, you were like changing my life over here. You know what? I love that when I was like, what do you do about that? You did not. There was like, you literally didn't say, okay, well, you have to take those out of the house or like prohibit yourself from having sweets. It wasn't like how to get rid of the sweet tooth. You are like, oh, well, have you heard of a Kind bar? It gives you your healthy fats and it does that. I love that it wasn't like restriction or it wasn't like taking stuff away. Just have these healthy options instead.

Right, right. There is nothing wrong with having stuff like that every once in a while. There is nothing wrong. I tell my Clients, I am like, I don't care if it is 2:00 a.m. and you want to call me because you are about to devour a piece of chocolate cake and you need my help. Because I'm either going to give you one of two answers. I'm either going to say, hey, so-and-so, look, I know that we want to reach X goal. Like, is this cake really going to help us get there? Or I might just say, look, it's 2 AM, it's that time of the month for me, and I'm also eating cake. So let's just eat the damn cake together and we'll talk about it tomorrow. 'Cause you gotta have balance. You just have to have balance.

Yeah, and life is meant to be lived, right? Like life is for living.

Right, right. And that's where most people, they tend to mess up is that they restrict themselves too much and then it kind of spirals out of control. So it's like, yeah, okay, you have your sweet tooth. Well, here's a healthier option. But if you have been not having a Swiss roll and it's been 3 weeks and you want the Swiss roll, then by all means, eat the damn Swiss roll.

And you know, it's so crazy, like if I don't have it in the house and it really doesn't bother me, but yeah, here, then I'm like, every time I walk out the pantry, I'm like, oh, the Swiss rolls in there, you know. So I will usually like split one with my kids. I'm like, here, you have one, like I'll have the other one, right? They come in packs of 2. But it's like, like you said, like it's becoming like an everyday thing because they're here. And then it's hard, like once it's like almost like a habit, you know, it's like, like smoking or like doing something like that. It's like as soon as part of like your daily routine, then it's harder to break yourself from it.

Yes. Yeah. As with transitioning into a healthier lifestyle, like, yeah, it's going to feel different at first because you were used to not eating the way that, you know, we need to be eating. But then over time, like, it gets easier. And then, you know, that like you really don't have to cut out anything that you enjoy in order to see results. Like, you really don't. I didn't. I never gave up. Like, I like my beer. I like my pizza. And like, I never gave that up. Like, I like chips in case. So like last night I had Mexican. Like, I've never given up anything because I knew that it's just not realistic for me to over-restrict myself and that would just cause further harm. And I don't want to teach my clients good and bad food because food is just food. And if, if it may— if something like that causes you to have some sort of enjoyment, then yeah, I want you to have it. Because I would rather you be good 80% of the time than be— try to be perfect 100% of the time, because that's just— that just feels like prison to me. Yeah. So yeah, if you're good 80% of the time, then I'm fine with that. I don't want you to be 100% because that's just— there's no fun in that.

Yes. Oh my God, I love that. I love your approach. Like, live your life, do your thing.

Yes.

You know, just be conscious of it, right? Like, be right. Ask yourself like, hey, is this because you actually really want this cake? Or is it like, you know, is it 2 AM and you need something else? Like, you know, like, is this really going to help you towards your goal? Like, you know, yeah, about those things.

Yeah, right. And sometimes like they'll, they'll make the decision like, okay, well, yeah, I really don't. Like I have them all the time. Like they had a bad day. One of my clients said that she wanted to stop on the way home so so bad and get fast food because that's just like a comfort food like that. That's a comfort thing for her. But she said she just, she passed it. She kept going and that when she got home, like she felt so much better that she did that. And I was like, okay, so now like, look at yourself now. Like, what would yourself have done a year ago? And she was like, I would have stopped at the fast food restaurant. And I'm like, exactly. But you didn't. You could have, you very well could have went in there, but you didn't. So I still consider that a win.

Yeah, definitely. And like, I'm like, reward yourself with the Swiss roll. Just kidding. Yeah. Right. Don't listen to Lindsey's fitness advice. Yeah, that's awesome though. You're so right. You're so right. And I think that like, it's, you just have to like literally ask yourself, like, is it worth it? Is it not? Like, is it, you know, is it emotional? You know, Yeah, you do in that moment. Yeah, you're right. And same way with like working from home, you know, are you actually hungry? Like, do you really want that sweet? Or are you just like looking for something like fill your time in between the calls or in between, right? Clients, things like that. Like, what is it that you actually need?

So is it boredom? Or are you really hungry? And like, another thing I always tell them is that if I hear someone say that, I always say, okay, well, if you're hungry, eat an apple. And then they'll kind of look at me like, well, I don't want an apple. And I'm like, well, you must not be that hungry. Tough love. It is, but it, but it, it, it gets them to thinking like, okay, like, I'm not that hungry then. Like, I just wanted the, I just wanted the bag of chips.

I just wanted that.

I just Right. Yep.

So true. Oh my God, this is so good. OK, so Amy, tell us if someone is like, all right, I need this loving kick in the ass and I need for someone to like hand me some tough love and guide me along the way and support me in my own health journey. How can they contact you? Like, do you have anything going on right now? How can they work with you if they're like, wow, like, I really like this girl's, this girl's attitude. I need some of this in my life. How can they do that?

So you can find it on my Instagram. There's a link to book a call with me. I am about to be running a springtime savings special, so that gives people 20% off of my 12-week program. It's a custom fitness and nutrition program specialized for each individual. All you have to do is book a call in the link by the 22nd, and that will get you your 20% off for the 12 weeks. And I just like, my biggest objective is yes, get you to your goals, but my bigger objective is that once the 12 weeks is finished, all my clients are knowledgeable enough in everything that I've taught them that they can carry this on for the rest of their life. So they won't need another program, they won't need another coach, they won't need me again. Like that's my objective is I teach you everything in these 12 weeks and then you're good to go to carry it on for forever. And it's because it's all right unless they wanted to continue it. Yeah. Unless they want to continue, like, by all means, like, we can be BFFs forever. I don't care.

Yes, I love that.

I say if you want me to give you tough love for the rest of your life, I'm all for it.

Okay.

Yeah.

Yeah. Your Insta handle so they can go find you and they can see that link.

Amy T Fitness.

Amy T Fitness, y'all. Yep.

And the link is right there in my bio.

Love it. Love it. Yes. This episode should be coming out the week that the link is hot, that the link is live. So y'all hop on over there, give her a follow. She puts out amazing content. She's got some really cool stuff going on over on Instagram. And yeah, go check out Amy. Thank you so much for coming on today, Amy. I love this conversation. And I'm looking at the clock and it's literally 11:11. So like divine timing too. Yay!

I love it.

Yeah, so thank you so much, Amy. We really appreciate it today.

Yeah, thank you for having me.

Yeah, yeah, awesome. All right, um, I hope you all enjoyed this episode. Leave us a review, let us know what you liked, what recipes you're going to be implementing. Um, go tell Amy what your favorite parts were. Let me know, y'all. Just connect with us, and we will see you on the next episode of the Aligned Coach Podcast.