I had a dream.

I had a dream that I wanted to turn into a reality.

For an entire year I sat on this dream when finally 4 months ago I made the commitment to follow through.  My recent post about fear (here) and my Facebook posts have been directed towards this goal.

I was scared. 

Scared of failure. 

Scared of rejection.

It isn’t easy putting yourself out there for others to critique you.  That is HARD.

And down right humbling.

This dream that I speak of was to become a Beachbody Master Trainer.  Master Trainers are some of the hardest working folks in the fitness industry.   These individuals are hand picked to lead, inspire and train others in the fitness world.  Train the Trainer is the simplest way to explain what a Master Trainer does.

I kept sight of my goal and my dream.  It was there in the front of my mind 24 hours a day, even when that dream started to dim because the fear was taking over.

I was mentally prepared, physically prepared and the only thing holding me back was self-doubt and the fear of the word no.

I am not one for being the center of attention unless I am in my element..  Most situations that put me on the spot make me incredibly nervous.  Speaking up in a large team meeting makes me cringe but I don’t think twice when speaking in front of 50 counselors and administrators about my job.  Teaching fitness classes in front of a classroom full of students makes me feel alive!

It’s all about being in my element.

So, why was I letting fear take over my audition?   This is what I was meant for.  This is something I LOVE to do and brings the most joy to my life.  And the timing was perfect.   We were already scheduled to be on vacation in Colorado the SAME weekend Master Trainer Auditions were being held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  A mere 2.5 hour drive from Copper Mountain where we were staying.

It was like the stars had aligned.   I couldn’t NOT go.  Just couldn’t.

And so, February 28th, I faced that fear and walked out of that audition room feeling more alive, confident, humbled then I’ve ever felt before.

I had officially been accepted into the Beachbody Master Trainer Ambassador program.

I did it.

I chased a dream.

A BIG dream.

A dream I never imagined possible.

I am still on Cloud 9.  I am overwhelmed, thrilled, nervous, eager, grateful and humbled.

.

So what now?  What does all of this mean?

Let me break it all down for you from the audition to the training to the actual job.

Audition

The audition process was simple in structure.  All Master Trainer hopefuls gathered in front of the panel of judges.

The judges at my audition were Barbara Brodowsky, Field Director of Certification, California; Katy Meuer, Master Trainer, Colorado; Jessica Booterbaugh, Master Trainer, California; Joie Walsh, Master Trainer and Top Master Trainer in the Company, Massachusetts; Maksim Seredov, Master Trainer, Colorado.

When they called out the participants names we stood in front of the judges and answered a series of questions.  Mostly about ourselves, our interests, our experiences, etc.   Then it was our time to shine!  I chose to teach Insanity. (Round 10 for those fellow Insaniacs following along).  We stood in front of the other master trainer hopefuls and taught them!  Talk about a rush teaching some of the best of the best. 🙂

When I finished, Joie asked me if I had ever considered doing Turbo as well.  OF COURSE, I said and then proceeded to show a quick 8 count move that I remembered from a previous round.  HAHAHA.  It was almost like on American Idol when the hopefuls make a last ditch effort to redeem themselves.   Too funny.   Joie and Barb said that I looked like a natural for Turbo as well and that I fit the persona of a Turbo girl.  Happy, smiling, excited, ponytail flying.   You have NO idea how good that made me feel at that exact moment.   I knew I did ok in my Insanity audition, but I got my ass handed to me thanks to the Colorado altitude.  You guys!  That is NO JOKE!   I can typically slam out a solid minute of burpees with great technique.  There?  I got 4 in and had to demonstrate modifications.  All new respect for athletes who train at that elevation.  Dang, kids.

Which reminds me.  During my actual audition I yelled out during the 2nd 30 second move “Can I get a HELL YA for this altitude”?

It was perfect.  The room lit up with smiles and laughs and we chugged right along into move #3.

After everyone had their chance to audition, we were gathered into a large circle with Barb in the middle.  She congratulated all of us for our hard work and clear dedication.   She made sure to mention that we were one of the best groups she had seen in 2015.

And then the moment of truth.  She called each of our names, told us what we did great and what things needed improved on.  And then it was either a yes, you made it, or no, try again next time.

She got to me.

Jordan – you have the body build of an athlete.  Your moves were good with a few minor adjustments to be made, in-particular, your straight arm jacks.  Arms need to be straight, fists need to be tight.  Over-exaggerate your moves.   As a Master Trainer everything has to be bigger, louder and over-exaggerated.  Oh, and we really think Turbo should be your other area of focus as well.  Congrats, you are in.

I wanted to cry.  I really did.  I held it together but I was dying on the inside.    That was the end of the audition.  Those of us that made it congratulated each other, gave hugs and took a group photo.

Cheers to the 2015 Master Trainer class!

Jordan, Quen, Jessica, Aimee, Kent, Sarah, Saare

And for the record, I am the FIRST Nebraska Master Trainer.

How cool is that?!

What I have learned from this experience is this:

You have to trust yourself.  You have to make a goal and keep pushing towards it.  Do NOT let go of your dreams because of fear and self-doubt.

I am so glad I kept pushing through even though the fear was all but consuming that last month leading to the audition.  I am living proof that if you want something bad enough, and you put in the work and time needed to get it, it CAN be done.

Cheers to the next stage of my fitness career and life.

2015: you are looking mighty fine

March 2017 Update: