Balancing Creativity and Fitness
When I tell people that I am an artist and work at the gym, the usual response is that it’s an odd combo, to which I reply that the two things I have always loved are swimming and art—and now I get to do both. As I grow professionally in murals and other pursuits, I think a lot about how much time I have and how I allocate it. While it can be difficult to coordinate murals, working at the gym, and my personal workouts, I’ve concluded that it’s a balance worth pursuing.
The experience of painting murals is unlike anything else. When I’m onsite painting, I’m fully consumed in the action. I lock in creatively, and hours slip away. While I usually paint a mural for a client, the process of going from a blank wall to a finished product is an emotional and personal one. I love feeding the artistic part of my soul and the sense of fulfillment that comes with completing a mural. However, another side of me is just as strong—the social side—and working at the gym fulfills that.
Working one-on-one with clients in the water and supporting them in small ways brings me joy. Teaching Aquafit, saying good morning to all the older women, and connecting with them in class each week gives me a sense of community. I’m realizing how important those connections are to me—whether it's through training others or simply being surrounded by like-minded people. That sense of community keeps me grounded, makes me a more well-rounded person, and ultimately, a better artist.
Fitness has been a deeply personal anchor in my life. As a lifelong swimmer, I’ve become highly dependent on the endorphins and dopamine from exercise—I need it to feel my best and manage stress. Beyond that, it’s been a constant source of personal growth.
Around the same time I started my small business, I decided to train for a marathon. Because why not take on two of the most time-consuming and difficult challenges at once? Seemed like a great idea. I had been running for a couple of years, completing a half marathon with friends and previously training for a marathon with an ex that never happened. But this one was different—I trained for it and ran it completely on my own. In a way, committing to the marathon, sticking to the process, and staying self-disciplined was like proving to myself that I could do the same for my business.
Pushing myself to run 10, 12, 15, 17, and then 26 miles alone—with not a single soul who would know whether I did or didn’t do it—required the same kind of discipline it takes to send cold emails, work on my website, and hold myself accountable. That discipline, especially in the first few months, is what makes the difference between being self-employed and unemployed.
I ran my marathon in June 2024 along Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, with one of my best friends there to cheer me on and drive me home. While most of the race was enjoyable, the last couple of hours—particularly the final four miles—were hell. I have never been in so much pain. With my shoulders and collarbones bleeding from my backpack and my legs pulsating with pain, the finish line felt impossibly far away. But with just a few miles to go, I knew the only way to be done was to see it through and finish. In that moment, it took everything. But I did it—by myself, for me.
I am a firm believer in and testament to the benefits of exercise. I am so thankful to be able-bodied and to get to do what I do. The pool is my place for clarity and my home. Running gets my blood pumping and is a rush like nothing else. Lifting makes me feel strong and gives me confidence in my body and appearance. Swim training allows me to connect personally with clients and give back to the sport I love. Finally, my gym and the people there are my community. While I love my business, my art, and murals, I also love fitness, and I’m working every day to find the balance.
