How I Started A LifeStyle Business

Thank you Julia Lefaivre for joining me on the THESUCCESSELITE in today’s interview about how you started a lifestyle business.

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Tell us a bit more about yourself and what you do

I am a health coach, author and business mentor residing in Alberta, Canada. I help women work smarter, not harder, whether it’s with their health goals or their business. I help them focus on what matters most and get rid of the fads and fluff.

What’s the story behind how you started your lifeStyle business?

I first started my career as an elementary school teacher back in 2005. I was a teacher for ten years. (2015) I had always had a passion for fitness and originally wanted to be a physical education teacher, but when that didn’t work out, I became a classroom teacher. In 2012 after having my second child, I found myself questioning my career and if it still fits my dream.

It no longer matched my life plan and idea of my dream life. An opportunity came up in 2014 to start my online health and fitness coaching business, so I did! A year and a half later, I was able to leave my full-time career to run my business full time. I still coach women in health in fitness with my one-on-one coaching and through my 3.11 Fit group program. I also mentor women in business to grow their business to create their version of having it all.

When did you know this was what you wanted to do?

The moment my first client saw success! I knew this is what I was meant to do. There is something so fulfilling and rewarding about seeing someone succeed. I feel honored to get to be apart of their journey.

What challenges did you encounter along the way, and how did you overcome them?

Ha! There have been many ups and downs. Too often, people think it’s easy or that those that see even a little success, have it easy or don’t struggle. But that is not the reality. Running a business is hard; it takes sacrifice. I can guarantee it is worth it. I struggled with launching programs that flopped utterly. I have battled my self-doubt. Focusing on the failures as feedback and opportunities to learn helped direct me to the next step.

What books, podcasts, tools, resources you would recommend that helped you?

I’m not sure we have enough time or space to list them all. Hahaha!!!

I love podcasts and audiobooks. If you are someone like me, where having the time to sit down and read is limited, this is a great way to get in personal development. I listen while I work out, drive, and even do chores around the house. Personal development is just that ‘personal’ meaning you should choose something that is an area you need to work on or grow.

Here are a few of my recommendations:

Podcast:

The Chalene Show
Achieving Your Goals with Hal Elrod
Build Your Tribe
Ed Mylett Show
The Angie Lee Show

What skills/qualities helped you to create a business in lifestyle?

I consider myself a lifelong learner, so if there is something that I don’t know how to do or I am struggling within my business, I go out and learn how to do it. There are webinars, seminars, conferences, and lots of online courses that are helpful.

You wrote a book Fitness to Freedom, what’s the story behind it?

Yes, this book is a collaboration between myself and 20 other women. We all share our personal stories about our journey with fitness. Our struggle and how we have grown through it. How fitness has helped shaped who we are today. My side of the story was about my struggle with nutrition.

Having been an athlete all my life, I never really had to worry about what I ate.

I knew healthy versus unhealthy, but it didn’t matter what I ate. Regardless, I share a story about going back, what I learned growing up and eating fresh veggies from my parents’ garden, and now paying those lessons forward to my kids and clients.

Why was it necessary to share your story with the world?

I believe we all have mountains to overcome, and part of our purpose is to share how we overcame them. There are others currently climbing their mountain who needs to hear how others who have been in similar situation overcame. I share my story with hopes that it will impact some one’s life positively and help someone who may need guidance.

What advice would you give to those who want to find their purpose, start a business, be healthy or pursue their dreams?

It’s SIMPLE! Just START! There will always be obstacles, other priorities, life that gets in the way. So, if you are thinking about it, just get started. Imagine one year from now. Where would you rather be? Running your dream business, living with a purpose, or exactly where you are today, wishing you had started a year ago. As you get started, you will learn what will work for you.

Before we go, are you currently work on any projects?

I am currently working on my new online group fitness program. It’s eight weeks, which includes strength training and balanced macros nutrition. The next round will kick off on January 6th. As for my business clients, I am working with my one-on-one clients, helping them to reach their business goals. I am also helping others in business with my ‘Know your Niche‘ program to help them stop spinning their wheels and start attracting the right client more.