We were lucky to catch up with Annemarie Sampson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Annemarie , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My personal story and experiences surrounding body image, growing up in Title IX’s infancy- experiencing discrimination in sports, pushed me to learn more about the health and wellbeing of females. I found purpose through self-reflection and exploration. This involves understanding my values, passions, and interests. Through introspection I discovered activities and causes that resonate with me on a profound level.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My WHY for 38 years: to leave people in a better place than where I found them. I have served the Chicagoland fitness community for the past 38 years. I was the manager of The Chicago Sweat Shop, one of Chicagos’s first aerobic studios, and my love for group exercise grew to inspire the opening of my own gym, Second Wind.
38 years later
I coach high school girls cross country and work with other female athletes and coaches to integrate elements of humanistic coaching to support the WHOLE Athlete. The interplay between mental strategies and physical abilities allows for athletes to achieve WELLbeing.
The remainder of my time I work with female clients to achieve sustainable WELLness.
At SustainableLife.Live
WE
Train like a GIRL with a GIRL
train, fuel, educate, engage, celebrate the FEMALE mind, body, and spirit
sWELL (sustainable WELLness for women) and PEAC (performance education for athletes and coaches) asks girls, women, and athletes to understand their personal values and use their WHY to navigate the interplay between long term physical health, mental well-being, athletic performance, and arbitrary social “health/beauty” standards. This requires time, dedication, and effort. Join me as we navigate through different societal barriers and stigmas – because truly, every GIRL deserves sustainable WELLness.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Qualities most impactful on my journey.
Resilience:
Impact: Building a business is filled with ups and downs. Resilience helps you bounce back from setbacks, stay focused during tough times, and persist in the face of challenges.
Advice: Develop a strong support system, whether it’s mentors, advisors, or a network of fellow entrepreneurs. Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the journey, and view them as learning experiences. Cultivate mental and emotional resilience to navigate the highs and lows.
Effective Communication:
Impact: Clear and effective communication is crucial for building relationships with stakeholders, attracting customers, and collaborating with team members. It fosters understanding and alignment among all involved parties.
Advice: Hone your communication skills, both verbal and written. Clearly articulate your vision, mission, and value proposition. Actively listen to feedback and communicate transparently with your team, customers, and investors. Build relationships based on trust and transparency.
Advice for anyone just starting on their journey.
Continuous Learning:
Stay curious and commit to lifelong learning. The business landscape evolves, and staying informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics is essential.
Build a Strong Network:
Connect with mentors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs. A supportive network provides guidance, insights, and opportunities for collaboration.
Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity:
Don’t fear failure; instead, see it as a chance to learn and improve. Failure is often a stepping stone to success.
Stay True to Your Values:
Define your core values early on and ensure that your business decisions align with them. This helps build a strong foundation for long-term success.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Ageism in work environments is being felt by many in their 60’s and 70’s that still feel they have a lot to contribute. Challenges include stereotypes, limited career opportunities, marginalization, economic insecurity, and legal gaps. To address ageism, promote inclusive policies, provide education and training, encourage cross-generational collaboration, evaluate recruitment practices, and advocate for stronger legal protections. Creating a workplace that values diversity and inclusivity at all career stages is essential for combating ageism.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sustainablelifelive.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainablelife.live/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/annemariesampson
