Trying to Relax

Admittedly, I am not good at "relaxing" and just taking things one day at a time. Usually, I am chasing kids, working, training, and fulfilling a good number of community service commitments. I purposely gave myself time for a break when leaving my last job and I am *trying* to enjoy the downtime.

I think I am doing okay. Some days are better than others. I have been able to get out and run more in the last two weeks than I have been able to run all year. I have been participating in classes for my next fitness adventure (stay tuned!) and just all around getting in shape again. The last several months have been hard for me and I have had little time for exercise which really explains my irritability, overall stress level, and all around sluggishness.

The kids always keep me on my toes and moving so nothing has changed there. We have been able to actually enjoy a good amount of time together which can be good and bad!

And, I am sending resumes out but only for positions that I would really want and that fall within what I want to do with my career. I am also still talking to several groups about the potential to do some freelance and project work.

I still have a good number of community service commitments too. I am so excited to be serving on two new boards and continuing work on several others. Knoxville is such an awesome place and I am honored to be offered so many outstanding opportunities and am happy to help.

Needless to say, I am still busy but my shoulders are a little more relaxed and the perma-wrinkle in my forehead isn't so obvious right now.

I do have a couple of goals before taking another job and they include writing a little more and beefing up my blog content, cleaning the closets, cleaning up our diet, and getting my running mileage back to a higher number.

With that said, I am going to drink my green smoothie and get started on my closet!

See ya on the roads!

What's Next?

I hope you've heard by now but I decided to leave my job in pursuit of more time with the boys and to seek new adventures. I wrapped up this week and am officially without a full-time job.

Almost everyone I have seen since making the announcement has asked me, "What's next?" So, I thought I would answer that here.

What's next? 

I have some plans. First, I am going to play with the kids. Go to the Knoxville Zoo, play at the park, and whatever fun adventures we find. Second, I am going to run. A lot. I haven't been able to run much so far this year and that makes coping with stress and life really challenging for me. So, I am lacing up and hitting the road, trails, and greenways and logging some miles. This also allows me to catch up with lots of my friends so a double win there. Third, I am going to clean my house. Really clean it. Closets and all. 

What's next? 

Get a job. I am looking for jobs and am being very thoughtful about what the next chapter will bring. First, I am getting back to teaching. I am set to start training with a local fitness business next week (will let ya know when I can announce) and hope to start actually leading classes by June. I am also picking up some yoga classes at the local YMCA's. I am sending out resumes. I am setting up interviews. It seems that any job offers won't come until June so I have a few weeks to look for opportunities.

I am also putting out feelers for freelance/project work. I have always wanted to work for myself. Given my background and experience, I want to focus on working with local, small businesses and community groups and helping them with their communications and event planning needs. If you didn't know, I am a whiz at event management and promotion and I think there is a need to help smaller organizations that just need a little push for programming and events. 

What's next? 

Ultimately, I can't really control the future. I have plans and I am positive that things will work out just like they should. We've run financial numbers for a variety of scenarios and are comfortable with each one. I am beyond blessed to know so many wonderful people who have been overwhelmingly supportive of my life changes. I am excited for the future and looking forward to the next chapter in the Altman Book of Life. 

Happy Friday!

Amazing Woman: Karen Tindal

If you look up amazing in the dictionary, you might find a photo of Karen Tindal. She is passionate, hard working, intelligent, and just all around fabulous.

Karen and I have worked together in some capacity for well over a decade now. Maybe longer. Karen is famous for being one of the most incredible group exercise instructors to teach in this city. She can teach anything. And, has been known to teach every type of class in a week. 

She taught me to teach. She taught my original Group Exercise Instructor certification course through the YMCA. She was my supervisor for years during her time as the Fitness Director for a local YMCA. We became friends and eventually she served on my board when I was th
e Director for Girls on the Run.

She made me a great instructor. She taught me not only the fundamentals of teaching a class but how to interact with the members and participants. She made me understand that I needed to continuously be aware of what participants were doing while under my supervision. She taught me to focus on them and that teaching is not about me. That lesson works both in the gym and outside of the gym.

Besides all of her awesomeness as an instructor and volunteer, she is an amazing mother. Her kids were young when we met. She has always managed to care for the kids, work, and give back to the kids' school and the community. She volunteered as a coach for GOTR and I can't tell you how long she's been involved with Farragut school sports. She is currently the Executive Director for Girls on the Run and it makes my heart so happy to see what a great program she runs for young girls.

One of her best traits is that she is passionate about helping others. Teaching, coaching, volunteering at school, volunteering for nonprofit groups, or in her current job, she is driven to help others.. She is quiet about it and isn't looking for recognition. She is a born leader and someone that I really admire.

You can find her working with girls or teaching a variety of classes around town. If you get the chance, take her class. You won't regret it.