Flourish for Life

It was 1983 and I was smoking a cigarette and pounding beers with my friends while I perused the want ads looking for my future. At nineteen my life was a blank slate and anything was possible. My future was unclear but I knew I didn't want to be a career waitress like Donna, my Mother. There were several other jobs I knew I didn't want which included maid, custodian, factory worker, bank teller, and meter maid. John, my stepfather, suggested the meter maid option. He encouraged me to take a civil service test and apply for a solid and secure job. I didn't do well on the test and I was relieved. John had worked all his life on a utility pole and while it paid well, it didn't seem to nourish his soul. I wanted more than that. Despite my dismal start as an adult I was determined I was going to succeed at something, I just had no clue what that might be. 

In the early eighties college was optional and expensive. I moved out when I was eighteen and I didn't have time or money for an education. I went to the school of hard knocks, wasn't afraid to hustle, and was motivated to make a living and pay my rent. An ad caught my eye and I jumped up and exclaimed to an unimpressed, half-drunk crowd that I was going to be an aerobic teacher! Spa Lady had just opened up in Hamilton, Ohio and they were recruiting dynamic women to join the latest fitness craze! I declared my intention and the following day I submitted my application to join the team. And just like that, my fitness career began. 

My uniform was a leotard with leg warmers and my enthusiasm landed me the assistant manager role in the first six months. I was teaching aerobics, pounding my flesh to Madonna and Donna Summer, and selling memberships that required three-page contracts obligating monthly payments for life with only $1 down. The Spa had a whirlpool and sauna and since I had the keys to the place my friends were finally impressed with my career choice. Things were looking up! 

Spa Lady taught me how to sell, how to lead, and how to inspire others to get fit. I had found my calling and was surrounded by women leaders who despite our business model of selling health were secretly snorting coke and having hot tub parties with their boyfriends after hours. It was the eighties and we worked hard but played even harder. I couldn't imagine a better beginning for me. I was part of a new phenomenon led by Kenneth Cooper, an exercise physiologist, and Jacki Sorensen who was inspired by Cooper's book on aerobic exercise. Sorensen began using music and dance to guide women to better health and built an empire that earned her the title of "mother of aerobic dancing". In 1982 Jane Fonda's workout was released on VHS and millions of women were dancing and chanting "Feel the burn" in their living rooms. I was definitely in the right place at the right time and I jumped in with all my heart!

Spa Lady gave me the experience I needed to get hired at the YWCA. This was my first salary gig and I was proud and determined despite the lousy $12,000 a year. I was now a professional and responsible for managing the fitness programs for women. I taught arthritis aquatic programs (which I now need), developed weight training programs for women, and led weekly aerobic classes which were packed with enthusiastic fanatics like me. I hired and trained other women like me and the enthusiasm was contagious. I had a large membership of older women so I developed specialized programs for them and found I had a knack for connecting with those who were in their prime. This inspired me to enroll at Miami University to pursue a bachelor in health promotion with a minor in gerontology. I knew I was never going to advance without a degree and I was damned if I was going to be overlooked for bigger opportunities just because I didn't have a college degree. I was just getting started and I was determined as hell. 

It took me five years to finish my degree because I scraped loans and my meager salary along with waitressing nights to make it happen. When I finally made it on that stage to accept my diploma I was pretty damn proud of myself. It was well worth the long hours and commute to Miami University because I loved that I finally had credentials. The sky was the limit and after graduating I was hired as a corporate wellness specialist for Trihealth, a local hospital. Oddly, I don't remember how I found that job but it was custom-made for me. 

My role in corporate wellness was to help deliver fitness programs for employees at multiple large corporations including Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ford Motor Company, Cincinnati Enquirer, and General Electric (GE). At GE I led the Prime Team fitness program for retirees and developed friendships with my students who counted on me to help them stay fit. It was an incredible community and I believe they adored me as much as I adored them. 

Our team also developed a fitness certification program endorsed by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and we delivered a comprehensive practical and educational training course that cranked out hundreds of new fitness enthusiasts each year to help us deliver health programs in Cincinnati. What a blast those five years were but sadly I couldn't make a living in the fitness industry and I was hungry to grow and be financially successful.

It was evident that marriage wasn't my strength since at twenty-one I was already divorced so I knew I was going to have to do this life on my own. I entered graduate school to pursue my Master's in Gerontology and another six years passed while I forged a new career in the aging and health care space. I worked for geriatric care and rehabilitation hospitals, senior living organizations, Lifeline, and Home Instead. The last two jobs ended in layoffs which left me disenchanted with corporate America and floundering as I considered my next steps.

I began reminiscing about my start in aerobics when I found the Apple TV series, Physical starring Rose Byrne. She plays Sheila Rubin, a quietly tormented housewife in 1980s San Diego; behind closed doors, she battles extreme personal demons and a vicious inner voice, but things change when she discovers aerobics, sparking a journey toward empowerment and success. Watch this series, you will love it. especially if you're a woman. You may not appreciate the aerobic era memories as much as I did but you will identify with Rose who is flawed but determined.

My aerobics career also helped me discover my strength and drive. At nineteen I was on a path to nowhere. I had moved out at eighteen, had no plans for college, and no future in sight. When I landed that first job at Spa Lady I had no idea it would shape (no pun intended) my future the way it did. I've enjoyed looking back at how I started and it helps me recognize how far I've come and how much fun I've had getting here. 

Today I sit with the future self I imagined years ago. I believe that turned out to be the woman I wanted to be despite some real challenges and trauma along the way. Like Rose, I am deeply flawed and I'm okay with that. What you see is what you get and I understand I may not be everyone's cup of tea but I am fiercely loyal to my truth.

I've spent the last three months since my employment abruptly ended sitting with my thoughts and my heart. I've been careful not to react or move too quickly and fortunately, I have the luxury of doing that. It's been a roller coaster of highs and lows which included a frenetic phase of painting and home projects to distract me. Finally running out of places to hide I'm forced to stop and reflect. In the quiet space of my heart, it finally dawns on me that life has once again presented me with a clean slate. 

Today at age fifty nine I have come full circle. I spent my entire career devoted to health and aging and now that I am an aging woman I'm even more inspired to lead others and encourage them on their journey. Over these last few months, my bossy voice kept shouting you are not done yet! Don't stop now, don't be complacent. Don't give up and run into the arms of another organization. Just sit with this newfound freedom. The voice is gentle now, comforting and encouraging. Clarity starts to form and my heart and gut are now cheering me on. You're back to a clean slate and anything is possible. 

I relax and smile. It's time to manifest my future and my passion has not waivered. I hope you'll join me on my journey as I launch my new business! 

April Ibarra

Flourish for Life

Mission 

To inspire everyone on their aging journey to be bold and fearless.

Vision

• To motivate  and encourage everyone to use physical activity to support independence and help them enjoy what’s important to them as they grow older.

• To inspire the fifty and over community to create the life they always imagined, and set goals for how they want to live as they grow older. 

• To support families and organizations providing care for older adults through resources that optimize the autonomy and dignity of older adults. 

• To lead by example and share my personal and authentic point of view.

Stay tuned for updates on my business launch and reach out if you would like to learn more about Flourish for Life!