Michelle Kurzawski

Just because you get knocked down doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish what you want to. Always get back up.

 

Michelle Kurzawski started taking gymnastics when she was 18 months old. Like a lot of girls, she stayed involved with it until injuries made it difficult to continue. She then became a children’s gymnastic coach and did this for several years.

Because she fell in love with the fitness training, or more precisely, personal training aspect of gymnastics, becoming a personal trainer was her next role. While she was a personal trainer at an LA Fitness gym in Rhode Island the idea of owning her own facility came about. She made the decision that that would be the next logical thing for her to do.

While Michelle Kurzawski attended college for nursing, she plans to go back to become a dental hygienist. She’s also a certified International Sports Science Academy (ISSA) trainer and is working on her National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certificate for personal training and nutrition.

With her knowledge and experience, Michelle Kurzawski knows that helping people reach their personal goals with fitness and nutrition is something she can do, simply because she’s seen it happen already. She currently resides in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

Being a gymnastics coach, especially for competitive athletes, I wanted a bigger background and understanding of why they’re trained the way they are. Why competitive athletes perform the certain exercises and movements they do. I got my certificate from ISSA to become a personal trainer, and to better understand why we do what we do.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Being an early riser, I get up and go do my own training, sometimes at home, sometimes at the gym. I make out a schedule for the day, it gives me something to stick to and be productive. I go to work after my work out, working eight to nine hours a day including my drive. Back home after dinner, I do some homework by looking at fitness sites, learning and studying as much as I can. This industry is always changing and this helps me stay on top of things.

How do you bring ideas to life?

If I have an idea, I’ll figure out the best way to make it happen and adjust accordingly when and where it’s needed. I’m goal oriented so I make sure that ideas work.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I love the idea that people are finally understanding that just because a woman lifts weights it doesn’t mean she’s going to bulk up and look like a man. It’s exciting that women are more and more excited about and getting into weight lifting as a form of exercise and fitness.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I write everything down and plan the day out. I break my day up by hours depending on what is going on that day. I will sit for two or three hours over the weekends to work on my business. My evenings I’m usually answering emails from clients or direct messages on social media.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t give up. When you’re younger and you get knocked down, you tend to lack the motivation to keep going. Getting knocked down is a way of life and you have to keep on. I’ve learned that just because you get knocked down doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish what you want to. Always get back up.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

People believe that doing cardio is the best way to burn fat. You actually burn more fat by lifting weights and doing a more productive workout. While doing cardio, those are the calories you burn. Once they see the results, they are able to start believing that better.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Honestly, I’m constantly making lists, writing in my journal, reflecting on my day. I plan out the next day, but I also make sure to put in some me time, time to recharge a bit. Even if it’s only getting my hair or nails done. People don’t always take that me time, but it really helps.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I know there will always be obstacles, but you can’t give up. Regardless of what’s going on, you have to keep moving forward, push past and reach your end goal. Especially when creating your business, the silver lining is in there, keep going.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

It would probably be finding the time to really focus on the business while having a full-time job and long commute. Not really a failure, but trying to find enough time in the day to do it all.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I am looking into opening an online fitness shop. This where my clients and my potential clients can go to order an e-book, and reccomend workout gear for my “At Home Workouts”

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

There’s a big market for stay at home moms and others with little to no time to get to the gym. I bought some equipment that addresses that issue, some bands with a door attachment. It’s really easy to train with.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

It’s not actually software, it’s my daily planner, it goes me everywhere. Most people will just grab their phone to jot things down in, but I think that’s rude. If I’m talking with you, and you grab your phone, I’m most likely thinking, what are you doing? I’d much rather get my planner out and jot it down, that way you know that I’m still in the present and just making notes.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I really enjoyed reading this book called “The Power of Now” it’s written by Eckhart Tolle. It talks about how you can change the world one step at a time. It is very inspiring and motivational.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote would be ” Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement Nothing can be done without hope and confidence” -Helen Keller

Key Learnings:

• There will always be obstacles, but you can’t give up.
• Just because you get knocked down doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish what you want to. Always get back up.
• If you have an idea, figure out the best way to make it happen and adjust accordingly when and where it’s needed.

Connect:

www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-kurzawski-3a044817a