The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I have had to rebuild my business after moving and having our second daughter. It’s an awful lot harder this time around because I think people have less money at the moment. This is a huge challenge.
I also doubt myself all the time. Am I good enough? I don’t want to fail my clients or my daughters.
On a more personal note, I really struggled with an eating disorder for a significant amount of time. I can see that this has a huge impact on the way I work. I believe everyone and everyBODY is valid. Whatever your shape or size, you have a place in fitness. True health will look different on everyone. Learning to really accept this in myself has been quite a challenge but I’m so happy I overcame it. I feel so much freer!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
A big pro is FREEDOM!! Running your own business affords you so much freedom. I answer to my wonderful clients and no one else. I don’t have anyone telling me where to work from, what to do or what hours to work.
I can take my business where I like; I can craft my own message and really help the people I want to help.
The flip side to that is that everything is on you. There’s no team to fall back on if something goes wrong or you need to spend a bit more time on something. There’s no one to delegate to.
It can also get lonely. I’m an extremely sociable person and I like to work as part of a team. Thankfully, the way I’ve set my business up, I’m in a team with each of my clients. I’ve also found other trainers who work in the same way as me in order to share ideas and offer support.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My absolute dream would be to have a book full of pre- or postnatal women on my app feeling confident, happy and strong, working towards their version of health and allowing them to be the mum they want to be. I’d love to create an online community of mums, helping each other get moving and lifting each other up. Somewhere they can belong no matter what their fitness level is.
Visit clairepaynefitness.com to find out more, and follow along on Instagram and Facebook
