At 40 and still doing the job you so love, it’s hard to imagine how life would be when you are axed. But, that’s exactly what happened to Orangetheory Fitness founder Ellen Latham.
In 1996, then 40-year-old Ellen was an exercise physiologist at a posh Miami spa when she was suddenly fired – an unexpected career problem that greatly devastated her. Of course, if you put yourself in her shoes, it would feel as if it were the end of the world.
As a single mom with a 9-year-old child, Ellen felt it would be hard to find another job because of her age. This fear also holds until today – plus, moms have a 79-percent lesser chance of snatching a job than a single woman, according to research.
Plus, many managers don’t consider women 40 and above for promotions, which is why Ellen’s concern is understandable. However, these things weren’t enough to put an end to her determination – so instead of seeking another job, she started her own company.
With years of experience in fitness under her belt, Ellen used this to her advantage. She began offering Pilates classes in one of the rooms in her Fort Lauderdale, Florida-home.
Soon enough, Ellen’s practice became popular. In the next 14 years, she began incorporating Pilates into other types of workouts, which later came to be the Orangetheory Fitness.
Now, the success of Orangetheory is more evident than ever, what with its $1-billion valuation. It has 1,200 studios and around a million members from all around the globe. The franchise is about the blend of strength training, running, and rowing.
It turns out that this mindset was something Ellen inherited from her father, who used to advise her to be passionate about whatever she does. The entrepreneur narrated how her dad, a P.E. teacher who had an optimistic attitude, would just earn $50,000 annually but still feel contented and happy about it.
Ellen’s story may sound sad at the beginning but it has proven that you should always stand up whenever you fall. She may have been fired from her previous job but this event led her to become a boss of her own.
Meanwhile, it is never too late to start or change your career, although it may sound daunting at first. Before any big step, assess whether you really want to make a shift or if you want to find another job – maybe you should also consider starting your own business like Ellen.
