Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliann Balley
Hi Juliann, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I had no idea a single decision in 2013 to better take care of my health would ultimately lead me to completely changing career paths.
It was in 2013 that I had finally decided to “do the thing” – that is, finally take charge of my health. I was a college student that had a semester off from school and I took full advantage of that to focus on forming new nutrition habits, an exercise routine, and truly figure out fitness all on my own. It started out as a weight loss journey- but soon turned into much more than that.
I was successful in my attempts at bettering my health and decided I wanted to start running. I even signed up for an 5k a couple months away – I was determined! I wanted to prove to myself I could do it, even though I had never really ran before. And I did it – I ran that 5k in March 2013, just two months after starting my journey. That day taught me that I literally could do anything I set my mind to. I had never felt that before.
As I progressed in my fitness, I eventually taught myself how to lift weights with nothing but google, YouTube, and blogs to help. (I am really glad I don’t have any videos of my lifting then, because…who know what it looked like… ha!) Lifting weights brought me a whole new perspective on what my body could DO rather than what it looked like or weighed. It was a positive step in my progression.
I was a music student at the time and eventually graduated with a degree in Music Education with an emphasis on orchestra and was classically trained in violin. The plan was to become an orchestra director at a school. That was always the plan. That’s what I was “meant to do”.
But, as we often come to find out, life has other plans. I graduated college in 2015, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and then after that I got married. I worked a little bit subbing for the local school district, but I didn’t feel a desire to pursue a full-time teaching position, despite the fact that that “was the plan” the whole time I was in college. I got pregnant with my first child in 2017, and that was when things totally shifted. He was born at the end of that year.
I was suddenly a stay-at-home mom and I loved it so much. I was happy. I still had fitness, but had stopped lifting and was only running at the time when my baby was young. When he was a little over a year old, I rediscovered my love for fitness when I joined a CrossFit gym near my home in 2019. That totally changed everything. I had found love in fitness again and was lifting again after a couple years hiatus. It was amazing and empowering.
I eventually got pregnant with my second child and was still doing CrossFit, but realized I had no idea how to exercise during pregnancy or if it was even safe. I had no information and google was NOT helpful. My midwives also did not know anything about exercise. But, I continued on and lifted through my pregnancy, just hoping for the best. I had the baby and then realized I didn’t know how to return to CrossFit, either! How do I rehab? Where do I start? It was overwhelming.
It was around this time that I wanted to know more. There HAD to be more information out there…there had to be! But where was it? A friend of mine had sent me a free ebook from someone on Instagram that posted about pregnancy and postpartum fitness that helped me a little bit with rehab postpartum. That kind of sparked my interest to know more. I wanted to know exactly what to do during pregnancy and postpartum…and I wanted to help other moms, too.
It started as a small, nebulous desire of “I want to help moms with fitness…but I don’t know what that means or what it looks like.” Eventually, I found out that the person that created the free ebook – Brianna Battles – had a free webinar about pregnancy and postpartum fitness coming up and I thought, yes! This is great! I can start to learn more.
It was at the webinar that I learned there was an entire certification course – Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism – where I could learn everything I want to know. And, I could help other moms. It was perfect. I snagged the course on sale and started going through it soon after.
It was also during this time that I had a desire to learn more about fitness in general and so I also got my CrossFit Level 1 training. That was an inspiring weekend that left me ready to go help others!
I eventually completed Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism and my life was CHANGED. EVERYTHING I’ve ever wanted to know about pregnancy and postpartum and my body and my pelvic floor was in that course and I knew, I KNEW, I had to start my own business to help other moms, so that they don’t have to say, “why didn’t anyone tel me…?” about their bodies and birth and postpartum.
I had NEVER EVER considered running my own business and knew literally nothing. And, I had gone to school for MUSIC!? Who was I to work in the fitness industry? And I felt like I was betraying my old self…yet this career shift felt totally right.
So on I went. I made a website, I had a free fitness class at the park in my community for moms, I started posting on Instagram, I hosted seminars, I trained in my gym, and things started to grow.
I enjoyed growing my own business, Motherhood Barbell, for a few years before I ultimately closed my doors when I got my dream job… working for the very person that created the course and be on her TEAM! I started working for Brianna on her marketing team in Jan 2023 and it’s been a dream come true since
So now I still help moms, answer their questions, support them, serve them, and also help build up the very brand that changed my LIFE. It’s the coolest thing.
When I decided to take charge of my health in 2013, I had no idea that years later I would be here. I now have 3 kids and enjoy homeschooling them and working from home. It’s the dream life I never knew I wanted but always needed. Grateful beyond measure!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not! I felt like I had no idea what I was doing for most of it, and I especially felt a lot of imposter syndrome. I through, “who am I to even work in this industry?” Especially because I grew up a musician, not an athlete.
But I learned that that doesn’t matter – that we really can do what we want to do and are called to do. Even if it’s completely different than what we did before.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work for Brianna Battles at Everyday Battles, LLC, which is an online business with resources for pregnancy and postpartum exercise, including a certification course and fitness programs for pregnancy and postpartum.
I work on the marketing team and am in charge of the brand Instagram page (@pregnant.postpartum.athlete), answering DMs, facilitating Facebook groups, creating graphics for sales/promotions, and also managing Brianna’s podcast (The Practice Brave Podcast) by creating promo reels for Instagram and writing all of the titles and show notes. Phew! It’s a lot, but I love it.
I am proud of being able to help build a brand that truly changes lives. I get to interact with moms from all over the globe and help answer their questions about pregnancy or postpartum or anything in between. I get to help them discover resources that I wish I had years ago. It’s really so cool.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Two things:
1) Instagram. I have been able to network with some of the coolest people from all over the world by posting consistently and connecting with others within my niche. DM people! They’re usually pretty friendly! I have found some of my greatest friends in my field through Instagram.
2) Attend in-person seminars/trainings/etc. That’s where the magic happens. When you invest in your education and growth by attending an in-person event, you are surrounded by like-minded individuals doing the same. I still have friends from in-person events that I collaborate with and enjoy interesting with. It’s a game changer for sure!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @juliann.balley
Image Credits
Duncan Morgan Media – Gym photos
Juliann Balley
