“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”
-Jim Rohn
Before I Started Coaching
As I boarded the plane this morning I took a moment to close my eyes and take a trip through the memory tapes that are stored in my mind that led up to this moment, rewinding back to 2010 and what my life looked like.
A typical Wednesday would’ve meant I was coming off a 2 day weekend (the pizza restaurant I worked at was closed those days). I’d probably be putting on the same uniform I wore day in and day out — a faded black t-shirt, black pants and black danskos. I remember taking the Muni to work sitting in between tourists and homeless people, the streets still smelled of garbage from the night before and I was headed to open the restaurant.
I lived paycheck to paycheck and had everything budgeted down to my bus ticket. I’d even walk to work sometimes not to get exercise but to save 2 bucks. $4 both ways was a lot of money for me back then. Money was an issue not a tool and it brought me more pain, anguish and stress than anything else. I was a slave to it and it controlled me from what I ate to how I dressed to what I did for fun.
That is not a way to live.
I was about to hit rock bottom with my health and it would forever change the direction of my life in ways I would never be able to wrap my head around. Ways I try to help people realize day in and day out by sharing my story.
I want you to know a few things pertinent to this message about Amy 5 years ago:
- She was drowning in credit card debt
- She lived in a tiny 500sq. ft. studio apartment
- She drove a 97 Honda CRV that was on it’s last leg
- She maxed out credit cards just to afford clothes
- She waited tables
- She had no fitness or business background
- She didn’t use social media that much
- She couldn’t afford to take her cat to the vet
- She never traveled
- She had never afforded a trip out of the US
- She only traveled to see family
- She lived in the red in her checking every week
- She over drafted weekly
- She was always late on rent or bills
- She worked full time and went to school full time
Honestly, the list goes on and on. The stress of having to work doubles to afford to live. Racking up debt on college tuition that I didn’t even NEED to be successful. Being heavily influenced by those around me thinking I needed to follow in the footsteps of those before me and live a “typical life.”
The false reality of thinking I needed to graduate from college, get a “good paying job”, buy a house with a white picket fence, hopefully be able to afford a newish used car, pay my bills, have kids and then die. That’s what I thought life was!
All I knew was I was going to continue going to school till I found something I was passionate about and could give me a 6 figure paycheck — but guess what? There was no such thing. You know why? Because I was meant to be an entrepreneur and I had no idea! I was never told there were opportunities that “normal” people didn’t pursue. That there was a life that you could design, doing something you loved and being able to literally design your life the way YOU see fit. Not society!
What Coaching Did for Me
Well, today I sit here on a plane about to take off to a dream come true. A true life by design. I moved to the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico. I’m not a broke traveling yogi with a backpack running away from reality. I don’t work in a bar 6 months out of the year and live with my parents and pretend on Instagram that I am living the “wanderlust life” when in reality I have debt and no wealth. I’m not some trust fund model girl who has been traveling the world her whole life blessed with a beautiful body and narcissistic-ally shares her “above average” life on Instagram with nothing of value to offer besides pretty pictures. I’m not any of those things and I would never pretend to be something I’m not to make you envious or sad about your situation. What am though is you. A normal chick who decided to do it the right way. Not the wake up at 80 years old broke with no plan way. Not in a way that if I got pregnant I’d have to put a halt on my lifestyle or with temporary fulfillment. I did it in a sustainable manner while helping others.
I share my life because I want to breath life into people. I truly feel this is what I was put on this planet to do. Everything that has happened in my life that led up to this moment has happened so I can help people who are not on their true path step on the breaks and take a hard turn into working for the life they really want!
I didn’t know the business I was getting into when I got into it. I didn’t care what people thought about what I was doing. All I knew was it was the only way I would ever live the life of my dreams and I believed in the possibilities! I always knew my life would become my vision board but I had to be patient, work for it and never give up.
Here’s the thing though. I would be coaching even if I had to still live paycheck to paycheck. It’s the freedom, travel and life of service that gives me purpose today.
Amy today:
- Is able to afford a move to an island
- Is able to drive cross-country without worrying about missing work
- Is able to make 5 figures a week
- Is able to afford a beach house while she looks for a long term home
- Is able to afford to buy a new car upon arrival
- Is able to pay to ship her dogs
- Is able to stay in hotels along the way
- Is able to fly business class to her new home
- Is able to do this all with her husband
- Is able to do all of the above in cash — not once touching a credit card
Why it Worked
It’s not about the money. It never was and you know what? The people who try to make this business “a career” without first having the belief in the Beachbody company, products and community never make it. I have never met a coach who just does this for the money and sticks around long term. I never became a coach for that reason.
I became a coach because my health was the most important thing to me before anything else and I wanted to have the ultimate accountability. I wanted to use social media as a tool to help keep feeling inspired and motivated on my fitness journey. My journey to old age, my journey to optimal health and to show others that if I can overcome my physical limitations and become the person I am today by healing my insides with the superfoods that were in Shakeology — anyone can!
I felt the mental, emotional and spiritual change that happened to me in the initial 6 months before I decided to be serious with this and I become a person I never ever thought I could be. It’s not about a paycheck and it’s not about saving people — it’s about showing people that they can WORK for what they want.
I will admit: my coaching style is different than other coaches and that’s because I believe in empowerment. By living out my truth I truly hope whoever is reading this gets inspired to reach out to me. Wether it be to join my wellness community, take it up a notch with their fitness, explore holistic healing through Shakeology or become a coach on the Beachbody Set Your Soul on Fire team and pay it forward.
Wherever you are in your life, just remember. The time is going to pass anyway so you may as well be spending it doing what you love. If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life.
With typing that I also realize how cliche it sounds and I honestly thought that meant finding a JOB that gave me just enough to make me THINK I was living out my true passion in life but what I have realized is that our lives should be our work. WE should be our ultimate project. Our life should be what is lived out and what is worked on. Not trying to build a savings account, paying tuition or taking orders from a boss. We are the boss of our own existence and that is what I’ve truly realized. If you’re reading this and thinking “why not me, why not everyone I love? Why not live a life with passion, excitement and adventure?”
I am my job.
I highly recommend emailing me at amysilvermanfitness@gmail.com or by filling out the form below.
Be sure to follow the fun on my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Talk to you soon!
[contact-form-7 id=”832″ title=”Ricca Form”]
Thank you for what you do and being so authentic. I am already a coach and have felt stuck and this brought me to tears. “We should be our ultimate project” Yes! I love following you. Thank you and enjoy the new adventure!
Amy – You ROCK! I became a Coach in August 2014 and went Emerald in my first 3 months. trying to get to Diamond is killing me BUT I will get there! Your beginning story sounds like my life now. lol I want all those things and I see them in my future- patience is not one of my attributes! I look forward to your posts and blogs! Truly inspiring!
Wow… I started crying because I can relate to this ! I live pay check by pay check and struggle to pay my bills.. Not sure what to do with my life and that’s very discouraging for me.. I recently started focusing on myself and enjoy it Im finally proud to be me.. Traveling the world and being able to do everything you can now is very inspiring ! I’d love to be able to experience that 🙂 amazing read
You should totally do it! You can make YOU your job and helping others help themselves find their light. It’s really incredibly rewarding!
Thank you for what you do and for being so authentic. I am already a coach and have felt stuck and this brought me to tears. “We should be our ultimate project” Yes! I love following you. Thank you and enjoy the new adventure!
Your blog post spoke to me… I’d love to be in the position you’re in. I’m so tired of living life by everyone else’s rules & have money rule my life. Fitness has recently become a big deal to me after a turn around in my health last year. Please help me.
This message was so motivating and empowering! Thanks so much !
Dana
Girl, I have not published a comment on a blog in about 47 years, but I just had to today. I am so so SO happy for you and your man (and your dogs!) I had been coaching for over a year before I went to Summit in Nashville. I didn’t think this random hobby that came out of nowhere could really go any further for someone like me. I am weird creative girl from New York City. I produce television for a living, I travel constantly, I don’t live in Texas…where could I really fit in and thrive? Then I saw this cool dude walking around one of the seminars taking picture and asked my sister “who is that dude with all the ink?!” Then you walked on stage and I was like “who the hell is THAT?!” Amy, I can’t tell you what it meant to see and hear someone who looked and sounded just like any of my friends… similar values and goals. That was my first “if sheeee can do that… well, me too, right?!”
Congratulation on making this dream come true, but mostly for selfish reasons. If you can, I can..and we can both help so many there people..can. Thank you so much for the inspiration. AND WELCOME HOME!!
I’m honored Sarah!! I really appreciate your comment, so thank you for doing so!!! WE ALL CAN and we will and we will inspire others too with our actions.
Congratulations on your move! I loved Puerto Rico when I visited this past April. Way to go after your dreams and make them a reality! Best of luck to you.
Amy you are such an inspiration!
I am a coach and I have been struggling between what is expected of me and what I want for me!
Divorced, two almost young adult children, almost 45 I feel desperatly in need of freedom from my own current life!
Just two days ago I found out my ex had failled to clear my name from a visa card I had cosigned under him when married and now my credit rating has been seriouly compromised by his financial mess…I have worked so hard to stay afload and provide a decent life for our kids and then this….I have struggled to get
Focused on being a coach with everything falling apart around me!
Reading this gave me hope again in so many levels! I have always wanted to move to the tropics and wondered where I could go and still do the business….Puerto Rico baby!!! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story! God bless you continually in your endevours!!!
Paula Brown
Hi Amy I am very interested in this program, I am trying to lose 90 or so pounds. I am 220 lbs. Currently and I am not happy. This is my heaviest, please help. I am also interested in your coaching programs also… Please help thank you Amy.
Yes! Please email me and we can get you started with something perfect for you and your goals. xo Amy
Hey Benita!! Email me please at amysilvermanfitness@gmail.com — I have the perfect program in mind for you that started my friend Julia on her now almost 100lb weight loss in a year!
Awesome awesome message and story!! You inspire me and countless others. Thank you
Thank you so much Mary!
Hey Amy, I’m already a coach so my comment isn’t about opportunities on your team, but simply just to say you are awesome! Huge inspiration, keep kicking ass.
Xo
Thank you and so are you! We are all awesome!
I want you to know that if I had found you before my coach found me I’d be on your team…it has nothing to do with my coach (she is a very sweet person) but what you embody and do with this business is what I wish I could do and you are such an inspiration to me.
Thank you for that!
You are amazing and very inspiring. I just recently joined in on your team and have not had the opportunity to talk with you as of yet. I am undergoing surgery tomorrow morning, August 27th and will not be able to begin the workout programs quite yet but have started the shakeology. I am probably the age of your Mother… lol being 51 and will be honest the peri-menopause has kicked my ass and I’ve put on weight over the past four years. Also… I had been in remission from my Meniere’s disease which flared up October 2014 and I had surgery on the mastoid in March of this year. Now I am undergoing intestinal issues and hopefully the surgery will help. I believe that the timing of my getting involved with beachbody and SYSOF was all because of divine intervention. I also want to say… I love love love your logo for SYSOF. I have had a Hamsa tattoo for years and do not see them very often. You are amazing and I love your story and look forward to talking with you soon. Thank You for reminding me that there is more life out there!
Nice try Terri haha my mom is pushing 70!!! And age is just a number and there are tons of coaches who are successful at your age, just like everyone else you gotta work at it and figure out how to help the people YOU are trying to help! Obviously people your age will relate to your story so remember to share it to the best of your ability and never give up!!! I have a hamsa tattoo as well, loving all the synchronicities telling you you’re on the right path and I’m sure your surgery will heal fast with your Shakeology. Keep your chin up and enjoy the ride!!
Amy. I just started following you on FB as part of my Go Emerald Training and you have been SUCH an inspiration. Seriously. Thank you for that.
Thank you and you’re so welcome!!
Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.
Jack Kerouac
Hi, I love your story. I’m truly jealous, I would love to be in a position like yours. I work about 70 hours a week to live paycheck to paycheck. I have a year and a half son that I do not see nearly enough because I am always working. It’s hard. Much harder then I could have ever imagined. I actually just signed up to be a coach today under my current coach. Do you have any recommendations as far as switching coaches? I’m unhappy with the lack of support and just reliability (and nothing to relate to) with my current coach. I have no clue how to expand a business either. I need help! 🙂
I would reach out to your upline girly! It sounds like you really need this. Don’t let your sponsor get in the way of your dreams. My email is amysilvermanfitness@gmail.com if you need to talk. xo
Thank you!
You’re welcome!