How did you first become interested in wellness?
I got into wellness after my own struggles with depression and anxiety. I wanted to feel better on all levels. I remember one of my health teachers in middle school told us that when we workout, our bodies release happy hormones. I was so desperate to feel better that I tried working out. I started with a gym membership to Crunch Fitness when I was living in Brooklyn, New York and I would go to the gym every day after work. Each time I went, it felt like a small victory and I soon started to feel better. I started to look at other areas of my life that I wanted to incorporate wellness into. I began cooking my own meals, reading personal development books, and just being curious around wellness and how it can help me.
What steps lead you to build a career in the wellness industry?
Honestly, it was sharing my own struggles and journey on Social Media. I started to blog and share recipes and workouts and people kept asking me to help them. My grandmother told me, if people keep asking, I should probably get certified and make a career out of it. So that’s what I did. :)
Who/ what inspires you?
I’m inspired by strong women who defy odds. I’m inspired by women who push through their own struggles to be transparent and vulnerable about their own journey. I’m inspired by curiosity…I’m often inspired when I see a vegetable I’ve never eaten or historically didn’t like. I'm often inspired by traveling and getting a new perspective. I’m inspired by the people who come to me looking for help and guidance, the people who come to take my classes, and my clients. They push me to think in new ways to create more things to help.
What’s your daily routine? (fitness, beauty, self-care)
I wake up at 5AM every morning and put on a pot of hot water. While that’s heating up, I wash my face and run a brush through my hair. I am really focusing on using more natural and healing beauty products on my skin these days. My beauty routine gets a bit longer now, but it’s still under the amount of time for my water to boil.
Then I make a cup of hot water with lemon and sit at my kitchen table to read my daily devotional and set an intention for the day. If I have time, I’ll journal or meditate or do a tarot reading or listen to a podcast or do some stretching/yoga.
I typically train clients between 6AM - 10AM each morning, except Fridays, because Friday mornings are meant for sleeping in and cooking a nice breakfast for myself. I usually workout at home or go to Ritual Hot Yoga on Friday mornings.
After training my clients, it’s my turn and I typically workout at the gym. Focusing on heavier lifting and doing some type of HIIT routine.
Once I’m done working out, 10AM - 2PM is usually all about content creation, projects, collaborations, recording for ClassPass Go and Sanity & Self, cooking, blogging, or meetings.
2 - 4PM is usually when I handle emails, admin stuff, run errands, or just take a nap.
4PM - 7PM is usually when I am teaching a class at The Assembly, which is Stronger or CoreBurn, and then I do teach an Abs & Booty Bootcamp somewhere around the city.
Once I’m home for the day, it’s usually time for me. I may check a few emails, create my to do list for the next day, but usually once I’m home. I want to just be home. I typically will cook myself a nice dinner, take a bath, then read or watch something on TV.
I aim to be in bed by 10PM every night, where I try to read a chapter of a book.
What are you listening to / reading right now? Music, podcasts, books?
I just started to listen to the goop podcast, which I really enjoy. I also love Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations, The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes, and The GaryVee Audio Experience. In terms of books, I love personal development books. I just finished You are a Bad Ass at Making Money by Jen Sincero and I loved it! I love all of her stuff! I also am reading Becoming by Michelle Obama. In terms of music, I’m always listening to music and lately, I’ve just been listening to the curated playlists that Spotify makes for me based on my listening history. I’ve found so many great artists and that I love.
What are your favorite things to do during your free time?
Because I am so on the go, I love to just be still or in a very relaxed environment. I love just sitting outside to read, meeting up with friends for a meal or cocktail, and taking baths.
I also take dance classes around the city, as I love dancing. I try to check out live music when I can, but honestly, I’m such a home body and I love my home.
I do try to travel as often as possible, just to get a change of scenery. I helps me stay in an inspired state of mind.
How do you define wellness?
I define wellness as the state where you are living in the highest quality of life in all areas of your life. It’s more than fitness or what you eat. It’s about what you think about, how you speak to yourself and others, and how you take care of yourself. It’s about your relationships with yourself and others, with the environment, with your finances, with your purpose, etc. It’s a very holistic approach.
Any words of advice for those of us looking to make changes in our lives, but are afraid to start?
Honestly, just start…start small, but just start. We let fear keep us stuck in our current situations, but honestly, we get to a point where we are sick and tired of feeling the way that we do and when we are ready, we will take the first step.
Instagram: @allisontibbs
Thank you Allison! xoxo- April