From Coaching to Compounding: Lessons from the Gym to the Office

In 2007, I decided to sign up for a figure competition. I had never been to one before—I didn’t really know what to expect other than needing to get in shape, wear a sparkly bathing suit, and walk on stage in heels. I had to learn how to pose, how to present myself, and how to keep going even when I wanted to quit. It was exhausting and, to be honest, not something I wanted to repeat.

But during that time, I found something else - something that did stick: CrossFit.

After just a few months, I was all in. I loved the intensity, the challenge, and the community. I wanted to coach. I attended the Level 1 Certification and, after failing the test once, I passed - and have been coaching ever since, starting back in 2008.

CrossFit family at North 41 CrossFit

As with anything in life, proficiency doesn’t come from a weekend seminar. That first certification didn’t make me a great coach - it gave me permission to begin. What made me better over time was learning under others, observing, teaching, and doing one thing over and over again: practice.

And practice I did. I went to lifting clinics. Earned my CrossFit Kids certification. Completed Nutrition and Level 2 certifications. I helped launch a gym’s CrossFit program. I competed at local and regional events and even made it to the 2010 CrossFit Games with my team. Eventually, I opened my own affiliate. That time is still one of my favorite memories to this day.

But life shifts. Priorities evolve. Passions change. People come and go. And whether it’s good, bad, or somewhere in between, every choice we make has a compounding effect -emotionally, physically, and financially.

There were years I was on autopilot, just putting one foot in front of the other. Some seasons I thrived; others, I drifted. Eventually, I renewed only my Level 1 certification - not because I stopped loving CrossFit, but because my professional focus had shifted. I poured more energy into my financial advising career and less into fitness. I lost the drive to compete, but held on to coaching - on a more limited basis - because I still loved connecting with people in that space.

Fast forward to this past weekend: I had to decide whether to continue coaching or close that chapter. Not the working out part - I’ll always train - but the coaching part. It was time to renew my certification.

I chose to stay in. And to do it right, I went back for my Level 2 Coaches Certification.

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t thrilled. I was tired. I was dreading it. The one bright spot? I’d get to spend the weekend with my morning coaching partner, Hana - who definitely radiates energy and enthusiasm.

And you know what? I got excited again. Not Hana - excited, but excited for me.

I’ve always said I love learning. I love growing - especially when it helps me serve my financial clients better. But I realized I hadn’t brought that same energy to the gym lately. I wasn’t showing up for my fitness clients - or for myself - the way I used to. And that’s been quietly weighing on me.

This weekend reminded me of something important:

“If you give 50%, you get 50% results. And that’s okay - if that’s what you’re aiming for. But that’s not my standard.”

I had let small allowances in my diet, my training, and even in my mindset accumulate. And while it’s definitely time to dial back in, I’m also at a point in my life where I value balance more than extremes. Chasing perfection doesn’t fit me anymore - and honestly, it never really did. These days, I want to be present with the people in my life, and that sometimes means choosing flexibility over rigidity.

So, if you see me eating something that’s not exactly “coach-approved,” skipping a lift, or choosing rest over reps, know that it’s a conscious choice, not a slip-up. We all have moments where we lean in or pull back. And if you’re ever curious about my why, my mindset, or what the other 80% of my day looks like - just ask. I’m always happy to share the behind-the-scenes of what’s driving me that day.

Just like I tell my financial clients: success is built on small, sustainable actions that compound over time. Whether you’re working toward retirement, building strength, or rebuilding confidence, it doesn’t happen overnight.

That’s why I love this quote from James Clear:

“You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.”

That truth hits both in the gym and in your finances. It’s the systems - your habits, your routines, your accountability -that carry you forward when motivation wears off.

Thanks to our amazing Level 2 instructors, Joe and Cody, I’ve got some spark back. I walked away with new tools, fresh insights, and a renewed sense of purpose - not just for the gym, but also for my advisory practice. The weekend reminded me of something I often say but sometimes forget: there is real synergy between health and wealth. When one area improves, the other often follows.

Whether it’s the discipline of training or the strategy of financial planning, both require consistency, clarity, and a long-term mindset. Whether I’m coaching someone through a heavy lift or helping them navigate their financial future, my mission is the same: to empower them to take action, stay consistent, and become the strongest version of themselves.