Yes, My Fangirling Moment Can help kick your business up a notch!

Insomnia anyone?

Have you ever had trouble quieting your mind enough to be able to get to sleep? That was me over the spring of 2017. We were preparing to move across the country again which meant we had to sell our house and pack up and start over, and my mind was racing 24/7. I turned to podcasts to listen to at night to give me something to focus on and that’s when I discovered the Fitness Business Podcast. I’m not saying it put me to sleep…it just helped to clear my head so I could eventually fall asleep.

The show is hosted by a gal with the loveliest Australian accent which makes it even more appealing! As a fitness business owner, I learned a lot and I started following the host on social media and added her too my tribe of inspiring people (you don’t have to actually know your inspiration in person to benefit from their wisdom and experience!) I decided that somehow I was going to meet her and reached out on social media. I had a fitness-nerd moment of excitement when she followed me back and added me on Facebook. Does anyone else get a little jazzed when a mentor or inspiring person out there in the world comments or tweets you? I did and once I knew I was going to be attending BlogFest I sent her a postcard to remind her I was looking forward to her presentation.

The Big Day Arrives

Friday afternoon at about 2pm I had just gone to the ladies’ room to make sure I was presentable and I walked back into the ballroom and headed for the stage. I’ve always been a little outgoing but not as outgoing and true extroverts are, so I had to push myself to keep going. After all, I had connected on social media and sent the girl a post card so I would look foolish if I didn’t reach out and introduce myself. There she was…this fabulously fit woman in a gorgeous blue dress, beautiful blonde hair and a warm smile. Time to make my move!

I climbed up on stage and walked right up to her, held out my hand and told her I was so pleased to be meeting her in person. And honestly, I felt like I was on the most awkward first date of my life, but that feeling disappeared as soon as she whispered“I’m so glad to finally meet you!” and immediately introduced me to her friend.  (She whispered because she had lost her voice the day before and her friend was there to serve as her voice for the presentation.) We chatted briefly about the conference and fitness events and we took a few pictures together. I took my seat and soaked up the advice from her presentation and felt a little giddy at having met her in the flesh. Can we say fitness fangirl?

I will say I’m a bigger fan of hers now because she seems like a genuinely fabulous human being, but also because she traveled halfway across the world and delivered several presentations without a voice. She follows her love of fitness to different countries and conferences and puts herself out there to help other fitness entrepreneurs reach the next level of their careers. You can tell Chantal has invested in strengthening her stage and media presence which people can’t help but be drawn to. (I realize this when I look at the photo of us and her pose is absolute perfection! Which reminds me that I should sign up for media training pronto.) This fit pro is a true professional, and I’m glad I didn’t let my inner introvert talk me out of saying hello.

You’re probably thinking “Ok, great little story Shannon but what does this have to do with me?” Social media, as much as people like to shit on it, has allowed us to reach out and connect with our mentors and gurus and role models DIRECTLY! You can message Todd Durkin or Joe De Sena or Adriene Mishler or Jillian Michaels or Heidi & Chris Powell DIRECTLY! Hop on their Facebook lives and comment (I giggled to myself when Todd Durkin shouted out to me during a FB Live.) Follow their Instagram accounts and leave a comment. Tweet them. As social media users we are able to connect with those who can teach us and inspire us and there’s no reason why you can’t connect and have your own fangirl moment!