A couple weeks ago, I was at the shoot for Jade’s latest project, Metabolic Aftershock 2.0, here in Los Angeles. It was a big production that required hiring around 12 fitness models for the shoot. Long days like these have a lot of downtime, and I was lucky enough to talk to many of the models throughout the day.

One thing that really struck me was the number of them looking to do things like “get sponsored by a supplement company” or “win a cover model contest” or “compete and then have someone see me on stage and want to sponsor me.”

I was immediately brought back 10 years to when I first got into fitness modeling and competing. And man, did it feel embarrassing! Not because I regret my journey or wish things were different, it just reminded me of my (naturally at 24 years old) naiveté and how little work I thought it actually took to be successful.

Now looking back, I see that there were a thousands of beautiful bodies getting up on stage every single WEEK to compete in figure, fitness or bikini. And many of those bodies had beautiful faces too. Lean physiques. Gorgeous hair, nails, skin and flawless tans.

What I missed is that a beautiful body does not a business make.

I even look around at my friends who make money fitness modeling and not only do they have to take plenty of side jobs and are still struggling to pay their bills, but I have to ask, how sustainable is a career based on looks alone? Sure, at 24 you don’t think about it, but doesn’t there still need to be something else? Something under the skin?

That has obviously been my experience—coming to find that it was never going to be my body that helped me get a leg up, but instead, my mind, my contribution, my ability to create solutions for people. And then, take all that creative output and somehow manage to get a lot of people to pay attention! Of course you don’t just get “discovered” on stage at a competition in rural North Carolina!

It’s amazing, and I love this journey.

And I was also reminded of the misconception between wanting a career in fitness and thinking that the leanest body wins this morning when I opened my inbox to a marketing email from Gary Vaynerchuk urging fitness pros to work just as hard on their business as they do on their body.

My first thought was, “This is awesome! Fitness pros need to hear this from someone like Gary.” My instantaneous second thought was, “Too bad so few of us are even looking or available for a message like this, or even following someone like Gary Vee.”

I think back to those fitness models at the Aftershock shoot. They were incredibly sweet, kind people, and undoubtedly gorgeous, but I’m sure none of them are really reading things on business, entrepreneurship, or even know who Gary Vee is.

And it’s fine, because back when I thought I would just get a bangin’ body and then sit back and wait for someone to discover me, I wasn’t available or even the slightest bit interested in learning business. I thought it didn’t pertain to me. And I didn’t even want to consider that it did because then I’d have to do something other than work on my body. It wasn’t as glamorous as shooting or competing or getting attention for my looks. No thanks! Bye!

In fact, I distinctly remember attending a fitness modeling conference years back, where you show up and get to shoot with some of the best photogs in the business. I was so excited because I’d finally get in front of the lens of those whose images I loved! I dieted down, tanned up, got my hair and makeup done, put together my outfits and shot with 4 photographers over 2 days in LA. It was a blast and I got some of my favorite images from that weekend.

But interestingly, the conference also had a “business day” where it was all strictly lectures on social media, branding, marketing, networking, you know, the boring stuff. And I skipped practically all of those talks! They felt like the mandatory classes you had to take at school that you simply weren’t interested in. And so I literally only went to one or two talks and then bounced, ha!

And the irony is that 2 years later, I was at that same conference again, only this time, I WAS A SPEAKER TALKING ABOUT INTERNET BUSINESS FOR FITNESS PROS! Lol.

Too funny.

But I am so grateful for those moments, these stories, these tough lessons.

It makes me truly appreciate these last 10 years where I have been everywhere from begging people to vote for me to win a cover contest, to thinking I’d email a top fitness model who’d “help me break into the industry” to now being able to reach so many more women about body esteem, mindset and building your own online business, all while traveling the globe working from wherever. It’s been an amazing journey, and to say I am grateful is an understatement.

Which brings to me to (American) Thanksgiving, which is tomorrow.

Speaking of gratitude, I would love for you to look back at the last 10 years of your life and name 3 things for me:

I know we traditionally share how we are grateful for other people during Thanksgiving, and that’s great. But don’t miss the opportunity to turnaround some of that gratitude on yourself. This is a time to appreciate the journey and be grateful for our own personal growth.

Besides, you’ve come a long way, baby!

I love recounting all these stories and seeing just how far we have all come together. So THANK YOU for being available for this. THANK YOU for being here, for being open, for sharing with me your struggles and your successes. THANK YOU for having your own journey and being brave enough to share it with others.

This community is magic.

Not one day goes by that I am not incredibly grateful for you. And for being provided this creative space.

SO THANK YOU.

Know that I’m loving you, and hope you have a great holiday!

Xo,

Jill

P.S. Many of you have been asking about my 11-month Best of You coaching mentorship for 2016. Unfortunately, all of the coaching spots have already sold out, but next week I will be opening up the education-only option for a few days if you are interested in learning all my best practices for online business for fit pros. So keep an eye out for that!