Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Bestvina.
Hi Megan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Shortly after I graduated college, I moved back home to Chicago, where I shifted all my focus to my career and started my journey at a large media agency. I remember being showered in daily cupcakes, team outings to concerts and high-end restaurants, making my own Nike shoes, big city fun all-paid events, cute corporate outfits, good steady income, and talking to execs on the daily. I was ‘living the life’ at the age of 23. But I knew there was more for me. However, as many of us are fresh out of college, we are still determining what that is exactly. So, I took a leap of faith to search for my “why” and moved to San Francisco. I left my comfortable decent-paying job, ex-boyfriend, dog, and family and moved to the other side of the country where I had zero friends, no job, and nothing. I was scared, but I knew I had to take a risk. I slept on my brother’s couch for months until I found a job at a tech startup (so SF of me, right!). Shortly after joining, I went through the typical startup life – numerous layoffs, job description ambiguity, and doing my best to manage everything from admin jobs to coding to executive-level responsibilities at age 26. After over 4 rounds of layoffs, I was finally let go. I was shocked (even though I knew this day would eventually come), back to being broke and jobless.
During all the chaos, I was reunited with my love of dance. It kept me going, and I am grateful it led me to find my best friend, who has been my rock to this day. I started dancing at the well-known Alonzo King LINES Ballet Center in SF. I grew up dancing; it has always been my passion. I participated in every sport, but I always kept dancing. How did I manage? I have no idea looking back on it. But being an athlete has always been in my blood. I found another job as a digital marketing consultant for one of the largest e-commerce companies. I returned to a good rhythm of working, dancing, meeting friends, and exploring SF. I started biking everywhere to save money on transit, stay active, and explore a new cities. With a long weekend bike ride and my brother’s influence (big-time tri-athlete/ironman), I was introduced to participating in my first triathlon. I am an athlete at heart, and the new challenge sounded exciting, mentally stimulating, and physically challenging. I completed 3 triathlons, finishing in the top among women in my age group for the Chicago Olympic distance triathlon. I was in such a good grove professionally, physically, and mentally (however, my long-distance relationship was falling apart, but that is another story that requires an entire novel).
Then COVID hit, and California shut down. Like most in corporate life, everything went virtual, and I became isolated to just my Oakland apartment with constant reminders to spike my COVID anxiety. I found I had a lot more time on my hands, but loneliness settled in. I turned to books, Zoom dance classes, and even reintroduced my faith into my life. My best friend sent me a virtual personal trainer. I was relieved – I needed movement more than ever; it’s my therapy. This is where I was first introduced to personal training. I instantly fell in love, working out on a yoga mat next to my bed in my studio apartment every day. It was all I had access to. During this time, I also participated in my best friend’s coaching program, went through a spiritual fast, and ended my relationship.
With all these tools, I had a strong voice telling me to end my relationship, move south and help others doing what I love – move. Me making an impact? Live south? Starting over again? Ugh. So, I started studying my a** off for my CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) exam. I dedicated over 5 hours a day to studying, on top of my full-time job, staying active, and keeping COVID anxiety in check. My odds were against me – 38% of people pass both sections*, and I didn’t even have a related degree. Ooof. I remember one night while learning about sliding filament theory; mind you, this was probably only page 15; I said to myself, “What the hell am I doing!” and slammed my book in total frustration. Page by page, I got through each dense chapter a night. I was determined to use my gift of movement to change lives; this kept me going.
I passed the scientific section three months later, beating the suggested +9 month prep timeframe. Half-way baby! It’s what I needed to say “Let’s go. I got this.” I ended my +10 long-distance relationship, packed up my studio apartment alone in a day, and drove to Austin, Texas: another new city, no friends but this time with a new mindset and refreshed determination. I ended up finding an apartment near downtown Austin, left my full-time, high-paying corporate job, became CSCS certified, worked at Austin’s #1 Best New Gym as a personal trainer and fitness instructor, introduced contemporary dance to Austin’s top heels training facility, and now have my own LLC. When you have faith in God’s plan and in yourself, stay determined during the tough times, and truly believe in your path, you can change lives and your own life.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish! It never is. The biggest over-arching struggle is doubt. It seemed simple, but there were many times I wanted to give up. I was comfortable at my corporate job – slowly climbing the ladder, having a steady income, and being an expert in the field. I hated it, but it was comfortable. I had a setback while pursuing my new career – I failed exams after so many late nights of studying, client turnover, and money started to become tight with how much I needed to invest in this path. In addition to my setbacks, the industry also became extremely daunting. Within the fitness industry, there is too much information, not to mention opinions, too much emphasis on physic, and too much focus on “right vs. wrong.” And who was I to say and coach people with something so personal after all these years in a different industry? The more I kept trying, the more I learned and gained confidence in myself that I could pursue this path and make a difference. There will always be obstacles in life, but there is always growth in the challenges and a place to learn the determination to keep going.
Thanks for sharing that. Can you tell us more about your work next?
I am a personal trainer and dance instructor. I enjoy using my gift of movement to help women find what they are capable of, find their strength inside and out, build confidence, and create a healthy lifestyle to do what they want in life, whatever that means for them. Personal training is much more than just a workout program. Sure, that is incredibly important, but it is also about your mindset, how you view yourself, and how incredibly important daily movement is for us, especially as Americans. I encourage my clients to steer away from being hyper-analytical to numbers and physic/aesthetic-based and more about how she feels, how she approaches themselves with self-love and confidence, and how they can build a sustainable healthy life on their own. We all have those days where we would rather be doing something other than work, I’ve been there many times, but I can confidently say my clients bring me so much joy to watch them discover what she is capable of. I live for it every day.
What makes you happy?
A lot, hah! My clients. I know they find happiness when they discover what they are capable of and what movement can do. Their happiness makes me happy. My family’s love for one another is beautiful, from a grandparent’s smile to an infant’s laugh and everyone in between. My friends and support system make me happy. Their support drives me. The ‘small things’ in life- a smile from a stranger, kindness, and patience in a time of stress, a “miss you” or “you got this, babe” text, a simple thought of knowing exactly what I want at the rest stop during a long car ride traveling. We are always learning from one another and different cultures. A good dad joke because why not! When am I happiest? Dancing, especially in nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bestvinacoaching.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mega218
Image Credits
Kimberley Johnson
