Conversations with the Inspiring Michelle Simmons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Simmons.

Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I moved to Dallas three years ago from Miami via Atlanta to continue advancing my career and discovered my passion. I am a Division Vice President of Implementation at a healthcare staffing firm and have been in the staffing industry for eight years. I enjoy what I do for a living but during my first year in Dallas, I was so stressed out at work and was questioning if I had made the right decision. I have always loved staying active and fit, but it soon became my stress reliever. Lifting weights, Pilates, yoga, and other fitness activities became a way for me to find balance by making time for me. During that year, I decided to take a leap of faith and become a Certified Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer. I absolutely love it! I have the ability to make a direct impact on the overall quality of life of my students and see them achieve their personal goals.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have learned that even if the road seems smooth, obstacles will always find their way onto the path. Not to trip you up or make you fall, but to challenge you and encourage growth. Along the way, I chose to shift my perspective and look at each obstacle as a lesson to learn from. And I have learned a lot! The most important thing that I have learned is balance. Balance in all things: my relationship with God, personal relationships, career, passion, and personal energy. I began to realize that no person or thing can stress me out unless I allow it to and that the way I value my time is the way that I value myself. Time is a precious commodity and I had to learn how to use mine wisely.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
When I am not managing the client’s implementations of our software as a service solution and its overall program management, I am teaching Pilates on the weekends at Club Pilates locations in Las Colinas, North Dallas, and Coppell. I also conduct private in-house/gym and Skype/FaceTime sessions. In both my profession and my passion, I do my best to provide excellence and quality service. Why? Simply because I enjoy what I do. I am fortunate to have a great career that allows the flexibility for me to pursue my passions. And in the future, my passion will be my career.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I am fortunate to live in a time where women are well positioned for any and every opportunity they desire. We work hard and we do not wait for doors to open, we create them. We travel the road less traveled and pave it for generations to come. We as women have to continue to build upon the foundation that was laid for us so that our daughters have positive examples to look up to. I am fortunate to have been surrounded by such inspirational and strong women, I just want to continue to make them and myself proud.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chellesds/

Image Credit:
IG @yesitsme_cj

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