You have to close for two weeks & self quarantine to reduce the spread of the Corona Virus.

Prior to this, OTF Allentown was getting ready to celebrate its first birthday! We had successfully opened our Allentown, PA studio and this one was the furthest from me geographically and also had the most growing pains. We struggled finding the right staff and once again were the first to market in the area. One year later, however, we had so much to celebrate. The success of Allentown was so promising, that we’d began the development of our Easton, PA studio. A few more miles apart than our NJ sisters, but if you are familiar with PA, then you know the highways and traffic. Route 22 can take a five mile drive and make it 45 minutes. No joke. Our Easton studio was in pre sales.

Three in NJ, two in PA, a son in PSU, a cumulative staff of over 80 and my responsibility list growing with every studio. I loved it!

I’d purchased a Peloton in 2018, when the rage wasn’t yet what it is now. I was hoping that my Peloton looking at me daily would remind me that I do in fact have time, I’m continuing to choose to scroll through social media or sit on the couch instead. I think I rode it nine times in my first year. It was hard and it was intimidating as the trainers are yelling out where the resistance should be or the output should be and I’m no where near those numbers. I felt defeated as opposed to motivated and I’d again allowed my head to stop my progress. The studios in NJ were so crowded that it was difficult to get into classes (an amazing problem to have!) and I’d started and stopped at big box gyms trying to execute myself what I’d trained others to do. I was so uncomfortable and self conscious that I’d retreated back into hiding.

Now our businesses are being forced to close and the world seemingly has fallen from its axis.

I’d started the pandemic by signing up for a college course, reading a new book, promising myself fitness, going on some serious walks with my friends and even getting some runs in. So motivated and so exhilarated. Yep, still cried as I’d felt my ass shake and was so slow that I’d cursed myself repeatedly. I’d mentally punch myself in the face over and over and said the worst things to myself about failure and embarrassment. I’d NEVER speak to anyone that way, yet to myself, it seemed acceptable.

Two weeks extended to four. One month into two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

My financial security was stripped. My prior success erased. My future was evaporating in front of my eyes. As the pandemic stretched on, I went from motivated to petrified. I’d had to learn things about the business I’d never planned on. I watched nice people turn nasty out of frustration. I’d seen politeness turn to greediness and the world was faced with so many other ugly things besides a pandemic. Times like these had been unprecedented and I was scared out of my mind.

I’m pretty much in the same state of mind today, truthfully.