Today...
I have truly enjoyed
working exclusively with the prenatal and postnatal clientele, and
happily look forward to each day with them. Although, creating Bella Bellies was by no way "easy" -Bella Bellies is truly a labor of love. Frequently people ask, 'what inspired me to create Bella Bellies?'...below is the answer.
The Past...
Seven years ago, I walked away from a successful career in New York City, and thoughts of Physical Therapy School, to embrace the growing prenatal and postnatal community of Hoboken, NJ. I was pregnant with my daughter at the time, but I had a vision.
Need for Support within the Fitness Community...
A personal trainer who works exclusively with Mothers was a first for this area. Many and most people were UN-supportive and even confrontational with the business model of a fitness trainer who worked exclusively with Mothers, one person in particular calling it "professional suicide." Not only was the fitness community unsettled with the idea of a trainer such as myself, but so were some health care providers, who de-valued Bella Bellies with statements such as "you do not need that, just do what you did before pregnancy and include some crunches" (statement unsupported by research). -Yep true story, the words of an Ob/Gyn!
This lack of support and criticism (including from the community I certified with) was absolutely the most difficult aspect of launching Bella Bellies. Furthermore, the research-based principles Bella Bellies supported were unsupported by the greater world of Pilates at this time, especially in the mommy and me context. Adding to this, the greater world of personal training did not honor low impact stroller exercises. Therefore, not only did I have to create my own line of exercises, but I also had to build my own brand, language for creating my own brand, flyers, business cards, brochures, seek out the proper professionals for publicity, the proper attorneys for intellectual property rights, establish new professional contacts and new references and referrals.
It was not easy and I had to do this all while respecting my growing family and providing my daughter with the love and support she deserved. But despite the physical toll I was enduring, I knew there was a need for this type of service.
With a lot of hard work, tears and sleepless nights that required returning emails while rocking a baby back to sleep, Bella Bellies rose above the criticism and was acknowledged by the Rachel Ray Show, Martha Stewart, American Baby, Kiwi Magazine, Tyra Banks Show, Good Morning America and so many more. .
Must not forget those who supported me...
I will always hold a special place in my heart for the few who supported me during this time. Mollie Bollers of Hoboken Women's Wellness and Julie Tupler of Diastasis Rehab, were absolutely my shoulder to lean on and continue to provide me with support.
Creating a Model for Others...
Standing there drawing the "Blue Prints" for Bella Bellies new space, confirmed my belief that personal training services and the original slogan of exercise for "pregnancy, motherhood and beyond," was needed in this world. But what was further needed, and is the very foundation for creating this model, is a teacher training who helps well-intentioned trainers, such as myself seven some years ago, create a successful prenatal and postnatal business without the pain and suffering of creating a small business from "scratch." Hence, my need to once again re-invent my business structure and reform Bella Bellies as the teacher training program for prenatal and postnatal exercise.
The Next Step...
Bella Bellies Teacher Training is by far the most comprehensive program which includes maternal care speakers such as well-respected Midwives, Ob/Gyn's, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Maternal Chiropractors, Doulas, Massage Therapists, Nutritionists, etc. and is acknowledged for Continuing Education Credits by the American College of Exercise and Pilates Method Alliance. Also (and this is key) it includes the necessary "ingredients" for creating a small business of your own. This includes a downloadable Bella Bellies book with over 300 pages of exercises, the Prenatal Pilates DVD, 500+ pages of power point notes, personalized templates for business cards, personalized templates for postcards, Bella Bellies logo and more. The program is instructed by myself (and soon) other trainers who have successfully started their own prenatal and postnatal business.
I write all this to encourage you! You can do this! You can make a huge difference in the lives of not only the mothers you support and honor, but also their children and families. I want to help you create a legacy of love for generations to come.
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