We caught up with the brilliant and insightful MaryKate Schmidt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
MaryKate, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I am the youngest of 5 children and my oldest sister who is 10 years older than me always told me “to do what I was passionate about.” I would literally eye roll because at that point I didn’t have a passion.
I was always athletic and even made it to the D1 collegiate level, but it wasn’t until I quit being an athlete that I realized what my true passion was.
I didn’t realize how much I loved working out, having a goal, being part of a team, until it was gone. I started to really struggle with anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, drive, yo-yo dieting, you name it and started to organically share my story on Instagram. I shared the highs, the lows, my own personal journey, transformation and
I leaned into movement as a tool to make be feel better.
I didn’t think anyone would hear me, but soon I found thousands who related to my story.
That is where the passion came from. My own personal story shared authentically. Once, I realized I could help people I created my own workout programs that helped me transform mentally, physically, and emotionally. I created my own community of like-minded women who wanted to transform.
Now, everyday I am able to help people feel their best through my workouts!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is MaryKate Schmidt and I am the founder and CEO of Movement by MK which is a virtual fitness studio focusing on Movement. Mindset, and Mindfulness.
I worked in Medical Devices for 7 years previously before taking my company full time and my brand started from my own personal struggles.
I was always athletic and even made it to the D1 collegiate level, but it wasn’t until I quit being an athlete that I realized what my true passion was.
I didn’t realize how much I loved working out, having a goal, being part of a team, until it was gone. I started to really struggle with anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, drive, yo-yo dieting, you name it and started to organically share my story on Instagram. I shared the highs, the lows, my own personal journey, transformation and
I leaned into movement as a tool to make be feel better.
I didn’t think anyone would hear me, but soon I found thousands who related to my story.
That is where the passion came from. My own personal story shared authentically. Once, I realized I could help people I created my own workout programs that helped me transform mentally, physically, and emotionally. I created my own community of like-minded women who wanted to transform.
Now, everyday I am able to help people feel their best through my workouts!
My brand is more than a workout studio. It’s truly a lifestyle. I have built a community of women around the world who use my app daily, come to my in person events, my annual Fall retreat, and represent the brand by wearing our MBM merch.
Our next event is a series of in person workout events in Chicago this Summer, then Scottsdale in the Fall, and our annual retreat is hosted September 14th!
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?
I think the most important qualities that helped me in my journey were self confidence, being an action taker, and having trust. I was self confident enough to take a leap, I didn’t care if things were perfect, I took messy action, and I trusted everything would workout because I know passion would lead me to the right place.
I naturally am a sales person, which I think helped my case, but I feel people really related to my story and can feel my positive energy.
My advice for anyone early on is to get started, take action, and believe in yourself. You never know who you can impact by just being yourself and nothing is ever perfect, but if you don’t take action you will stay in the same place.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Being the youngest of 5 kids I think the best thing that my parents did, was to teach us work ethic. We were always up doing some sort of chore, sport, or service and my dad is very much so a 5 am guy. He instilled that hard work will always win and he taught us we need to work for what we want.
He always reminded us you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but you need to be confident, well spoken, and always volunteer to show up early, stay late the works.
My father has created a successful lifestyle for himself and my family, but despite that, my parents made sure we were never entitled and always earned our way.
They didn’t hand us things and taught us if you want something, you have to take action, and go and get it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.movementbymk.com/
- Instagram: MovementbyMK
Image Credits
Paige Babilla
