Part Two.

So…

While out of work, not workinocig out, we are now going into April and Covid is still an issue. Our governor of Ohio was on TV everyday making new adjustments to the plan, where I was living, the numbers were EXTREMELY low, but in bigger surrounding cities, the numbers were growing exponentially. The only states that were making the news at the time was New York and Florida, because they had a bigger widespread of the virus and a lot more cases where people were dying or getting really sick from it. We didn’t totally shut down, we still were able to leave the house for groceries, go for a walk, get essentials; whereas, other states were shutting all the way down and making rules to keep people from traveling outside of their own homes (understandably) – so I can’t complain. When May came around, I was still on leave from one job, and my gym was starting to open back up (but I knew most if not all my clients would still be on edge before returning) so pretty much I didn’t have to work, and my other job was allowing only so many to return in spurts but something told me I would be called back in eventually (dreading that day) although should be happy I had a job that I could collect unemployment from because so many people lost their jobs, were struggling to find work and were suffering financially within their households. So thinking back, I was blessed to say the least.

Gyms opened back up in Ohio in May after some gym owners took it upon themselves to sue because they were going broke and losing money because they had to be closed down (locally owned gyms in Columbus) and I was happy to see them rise and fight and come out winners. It didn’t necessarily help me, but made me happy for them. When my gym opened back up, I was so very happy about the opportunity to lift again, but so very upset with how adly my body looked in the mirror — even after realizing so many others felt the same way, it was just hard for me to even come to terms with myself. During this time, I was looking over my resume and decided to revamp things, and put in some applications in Columbus — my pool of opportunity was small but still had some places to choose from or consider. In the meantime, none of my clients returned and it turns out my manager at the time had informed me that while we were on shut down, I could have been utilizing the gym the whole time …YET, nobody took the time to even make mention of this to me — talk about pissed off (I was very pissed off) and it didn’t shock me because this whole time working for this new management team, I was being treated unfairly anyways. Since they hired the club director’s son to be a trainer, she basically made sure all the potential clients were referred to her son. It was sad, annoying and even one my clients took notice, which made it embarrassing. I basically was more than ready to leave this gym and move on in life.

It wasn’t until the beginning of June when I received a phone call from a studio wanting me to meet with them for an interview in Columbus. I was nervous, ecstatic, and eager all at once. I agreed to the interview (didn’t tell anyone of this interview). I made the interview for the same week I got the call, made a trip to Columbus and found myself in Upper Arlington at my destination. It was small, a privately owned studio in a nice area, it had a small cardio section when you walked through the front doors, I had a kid around my age greet me at the door- he seemed pleasant at first glance. It wasn’t too long before I greeted by the owners husband and he gave me a tour of the entire building (3 separate private workout rooms, one bathroom, a shower room, lockers and their office) condensed space but very organized, and had free weights, medicine balls, smith machine, barbells. When the tour was over, I waited another 5-6 minutes and the owner introduced herself and we sat down for the interview. Overall, they asked me questions relevant to the job, at the end had me demonstrate one of my favorite exercises for the lower body and discuss how I would train a client if they were learning this particular exercise ( by accident I said a cuss word while demonstrating the movements and discussing technique, but they understood why and weren’t bothered by it) P.S their 11 year old daughter was also sitting in on the interview. LOL. They asked if I had any questions, of course I asked payment/salary/hourly rate to get an understanding of how things worked and what I could expect so when I would start searching for apartments I could make decisions based on my pay. They answered, asked if I had any other questions, and I left. The very next day, they called me to inform me of how they enjoyed me and really would have loved for me to work for their company BUT since I couldn’t be move down there within a few days (plus I don’t know anyone I could stay with in that area) they were going to take other candidates but mentioned how they would keep me on the list in case another job position became available — I was happy to hear that. we said our goodbyes. I got off the phone thinking, I should start looking at apartments just in case I do get a job. It was another week before they contacted me again via phone call letting me know they wanted to hire me on. Supposedly the other candidate didn’t meet their needs and they really liked me enough to give me 3 weeks to find a place and in the meantime I would be driving 3-4 days a week up to Columbus to start my training (keep in mind, it was a hour and half both ways) I was driving back and forth 4 days a week unless I was working back to back then I would stay in a hotel and go back home after my shift the next day. During this time, I was nervous about where to find a place to live, I was looking at all my options, and still hadn’t put in notice at either job during this time because I didn’t know if I would like the job/environment/people and wanted to give it time. I told my family soon after accepting the position and nobody could believe it, it was giving my mom anxiety (especially since it was random, during covid and late notice; seeing as I had to be moved down there within 3 weeks).

Lots of money spent, lots of mental fatigue looking for a place, lots of overall stress during that time, and this where I will leave off for now, but I plan on starting Part 3 tomorrow.