PULSE ATHLETIC APPAREL BRAND AMBASSADOR ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING BALANCED
By Jenna Spini
If you were to ask me, in 2020, if I ever thought I would be back in school to get my master’s degree, I would have thought you were crazy.
But the universe had other plans for me… I’m now in my second of three semesters at Ball State University, working toward a master’s in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education.
Fitness has always been a passion of mine. After I “retired” from collegiate volleyball, I discovered different areas of fitness I love, including group fitness, running, strength training, and even just going on a simple walk.
When I graduated from college, I got a job that was only supposed to last three months. Those three months turned into four but by month two, I was completely unhappy. I learned a lot, but I was in limbo. That’s where Ball State came in. After a lot of reflection, I realized I wanted to work on a college campus.
In between the ending of my contract and the start of grad school, I took a job at Orangetheory Fitness. As much as I loved fitness prior, I truly learned to embrace it as an OTF employee. Orangetheory Fitness completely changed my life and as cliché as it sounds, it’s true.
What has been the hardest transition from working at OTF to being a student again?
Being a student again has allowed me to have a lot of flexibility to make my schedule around my priorities, at least most days anyway. My program requires its students to have a graduate assistantship, which is only 20 hours a week. Between the hours in the office and my coursework, it was easy for me to find time to work out.
Fitness has always been a way to decompress, forget the hard days, and celebrate the good days. Orangetheory helped me discover that. So being able to adjust my schedule so I can do something for me has been amazing.
However, the thing I was not prepared for in grad school was the emotional toll it was going to take. I work with an incredible group of students. They are dedicated, passionate, and put the needs of their organization before their own. The students I work with turn to me for a lot of their struggle, they turn to me for advice. At the end of the fall semester, I was left tired, confused, and did not know how to offer the correct advice. That moment is when I realized I was not prepared for the emotional toll.
If it was not for fitness, especially running, I don’t think I would have been able to get out of the funk I was in toward the end of the fall semester.
How do you stay balanced, especially when you’re emotionally drained?
For me, the answer is simple: I look back at who I was, and look forward to who I want to be. The reflection of the past helps me look at where I started and the look into the future helps me stay focused on my goals. I want to be the best version of myself and the way to do that is through fitness.
Staying balanced includes doing things that make me happy, like eating ice cream! If I was so concerned about every little thing, I think I would have gone insane by now. Being able to fuel my body with the good things and occasionally the not-so-good, has brought so much joy into my life.
The last thing that has kept me balanced in grad school are my friends and support system. I am so fortunate to have created a life for myself in Indiana. Between my undergraduate friends, coaching friends, Orangetheory friends, and grad school friends, I have been able to fully embrace what support means. If I didn’t have the support, I think I would have dropped out by now. My friends provide laughter and the best advice when I need it. I can’t thank them enough for helping me get through some of the hardest days.
What advice do you have for people who are struggling to find balance?
Balance is a word that has many different definitions for each person. It is so important to find what makes you happy, above all else. If running isn’t your jam, try doing yoga. Fitness isn’t your jam? Try cooking! Just do what makes you happy and that will help create the balance that is needed in your life.
Jenna Spini is a Pulse Brand Ambassador and graduate student at Ball State University working toward a degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education.
