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In this episode of Founders Voyage, we had the pleasure of turning the table on our host Nancy, the founder of Starfish Strength, a personal training and healthy lifestyle coaching business. Nancy is also a co-organizer of the Founder's Voyage community Discord and podcast. Throughout the episode, Nancy shared her personal journey, foundational experiences, and insights into her career path, including her exposure to entrepreneurship through her father's work, her various jobs, and the development of her business. The conversation delved into themes of entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the importance of community and support in achieving health and wellness goals.
Foundational Experiences: The Roots of Entrepreneurship
Nancy's journey began with a unique foundational experience that shaped her life and career. Her father, an entertainer who dressed as a clown and a medieval character, took her along to festivals where she performed as his sidekick. This early exposure to entrepreneurship taught her about the realities of running a business, including making phone calls, prospecting, and understanding financial aspects. Nancy acknowledges that this unique upbringing instilled a sense of responsibility and curiosity in her from a young age.
Key Takeaways:
- Early Exposure to Business: Nancy's involvement in her father's business from a young age helped her develop problem-solving skills and a curiosity about the world.
- Diverse Learning Environment: Attending an inner-city public school nurtured her love for learning and connection with different people.
Career Journey: From Sales to Personal Training
Nancy's career path has been diverse, with roles in sales, IT, and photography, although they share a people-facing aspect that has resonated with her. Nancy started her career babysitting, moved on to work in a grocery store, a credit union, and eventually in photography. After dropping out of college, she pursued photography school, which led her to Michigan. However, the recession made it difficult to find work in her field, leading her to take on various jobs, including working at a YMCA and a photo lab.
Key Takeaways:
- Adaptability: Nancy's ability to adapt to different roles and industries showcases her resilience and determination. This is an increasingly important trait in modern business.
- Customer-Facing Roles: Her success in customer-facing positions highlights the importance of interpersonal skills in building a successful career.
Transition to Personal Training: A Passion for Helping Others
After experiencing several life changes, including moving to meeting her husband, the brilliant Brian Nash, and moving to California, Nancy decided to pivot her career once again. She obtained her American Council on Exercise personal training certification and began working at a gym. Her passion for helping people from diverse backgrounds, including veterans and older adults, drove her to pursue personal training.
Key Takeaways:
- Passion for Helping Others: Nancy's dedication to helping people achieve their health and wellness goals is evident in her career choices.
- Resilience: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of her gym and her subsequent layoff, but Nancy used this period of uncertainty to reflect on her identity and purpose.
Establishing Starfish Strength: A Symbol of Resilience
Nancy founded Starfish Strength as a response to the challenges she faced during the pandemic. She wanted to provide a service that offered personal training and mindset coaching, emphasizing the importance of foundational wellness habits. The name "Starfish" symbolizes resilience and regeneration, reflecting her own journey of bouncing back from injuries and setbacks.
Key Takeaways:
- Unique Value Proposition: Starfish Strength combines personal training with mindset coaching, recognizing that many clients need support beyond just physical training.
- Community and Support: Nancy emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where clients can thrive, whether they are working out in a gym or at home.
Building Healthy Habits: Navigating Challenges and Stress
The conversation delved into the importance of building healthy habits and the challenges that come with maintaining them, especially during stressful times. Nancy emphasizes that when individuals face difficulties, they often revert to their established habits, whether positive or negative. She aims to help people navigate these challenges, particularly those dealing with grief or other life stresses, by providing tailored support that many traditional gyms may not offer.
Key Takeaways:
- Importance of Habits: Cultivating positive habits can help individuals maintain their well-being even in tough times.
- Holistic View of Health: Nancy's approach to exercise has shifted from a focus on weight loss to a more holistic view of health, emphasizing the mental and emotional benefits of physical activity.
The Role of Community and Support in Personal Growth
Nancy reflects on her journey and the importance of recognizing the benefits of healthy habits beyond just physical appearance. She acknowledges that during stressful times, it’s crucial to be aware of how habits can shift, sometimes leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Key Takeaways:
- Community Engagement: Building a supportive community is essential for personal growth and achieving health and wellness goals.
- Continuous Learning: Nancy's excitement about her current work highlights the importance of continuous learning and problem-solving in personal and professional development.
Navigating Information Overload: Critical Evaluation of Health-Related Content
Nancy discusses the challenges of navigating the overwhelming amount of information available about health and fitness, particularly on social media. She emphasizes the need to discern between opinion and fact, especially when it comes to health-related studies and articles.
Key Takeaways:
- Critical Evaluation: Listeners are encouraged to critically evaluate the sources of information they consume and to be cautious of sensationalized headlines that may not accurately represent the content.
- Reliable Sources: Nancy's advice underscores the importance of seeking out reliable sources and expert opinions when it comes to health and wellness information.
Incorporating Pets into Content Creation: Relatability and Resilience
Nancy explains how her dog, Max, and her experiences with her late dog, Petey, serve as both a source of joy and a teaching tool. By incorporating her pets into her videos, Nancy aims to make her content more relatable and approachable, while also highlighting the companionship many people get from their pets, which can provide motivation and joy.
Key Takeaways:
- Relatability: Incorporating pets into content can make it more relatable and engaging for the audience.
- Companionship: Pets can serve as a symbol of companionship, acting as a motivation in health and wellness contexts.
Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Time: From People Pleaser to Self-Care Advocate
Nancy shares her journey from being a people pleaser to recognizing the value of her own time and energy. This shift has allowed her to focus on relationships that energize her and to be more selective about the commitments she takes on. A trait which is absolutely necessary for Entrepreneurs, without the ability to be selective in ones time and energy, an entrepreneur will often be overwhelmed by the opportunities in front of them.
Key Takeaways:
- Setting Boundaries: It’s important to set boundaries and prioritize self-care to maintain well-being and productivity.
- Selective Commitments: Focusing on relationships and commitments that energize and support personal growth is crucial for long-term success, as well as turning down commitments which are a drain or do not provide opportunities for growth.
Looking Toward the Future: Aspirations for Starfish Strength
Nancy expresses her aspirations for Starfish Strength, including growing her YouTube channel and developing a program that emphasizes building a resilient mindset. She envisions creating a supportive community where individuals can learn to navigate their health journeys realistically and sustainably.
Key Takeaways:
- Future Growth: Nancy's vision for the future includes expanding her reach and impact through her YouTube channel and new programs.
- Community Feedback: Engaging with the community and incorporating feedback is essential for evolving and improving her offerings.
Conclusion: The Power of Habits, Self-Care, and Supportive Relationships
Throughout the episode, Nancy shares her inspiring journey of resilience, adaptability, and passion for helping others. Her experiences have shaped her into a compassionate coach who understands the complexities of personal growth and wellness. The conversation emphasizes the significance of community, support, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge in achieving health and wellness goals.
Nancy’s story serves as a reminder that our journeys are often nonlinear, filled with challenges and opportunities for growth, and that it’s never too late to pivot and pursue our passions. By focusing on building healthy habits, setting boundaries, and engaging with a supportive community, we can navigate our health and wellness journeys more effectively and sustainably.
Connect with Nancy:
LinkedIn: Nancy on LinkedIn
YouTube: Starfish Strength YouTube Channel
TikTok: @starfish_strength
Recommendations:
Start with Why - Simon Sinek - Amazon UK - Waterstones - Amazon US
How to Support Founders Voyage:
Thank you for joining us on this episode of Founders Voyage. We hope you found Nancy's journey as inspiring and insightful as we did. Stay curious, ask good questions, and involve others in your journey to health and wellness.