Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Sama.
Karina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
If you would have told me 4 years ago, that I would be doing what I’m doing now, I wouldn’t believe you! I worked retail for 7 years, starting at age 16. After that I worked for a small business doing a lot of office duties, accounting included. Towards the end of that is when I realized that no matter how much money I made it would never mean anything if I wasn’t happy. I felt unfulfilled & drained all the time. I tried my first Barry’s class in September 2018 and I was hooked. A couple of months later I was running on the treadmill and I realized I couldn’t even run in peace because even at 6 pm I was worried my boss would call about something being incomplete or ask a question that could most likely wait until the next day. That was the moment I said I couldn’t live like that any longer. By the end of 2018, I quit, quite unceremoniously. I got a lower-paying job that allowed me more freedom and continued going to Barry’s religiously about 4 times per week. I definitely was a fan girl and idolized instructors that I now consider close friends, but still not a single thought in my mind that I might become one. About a year later I took on a part-time job at the front desk and one of the instructors mentioned she thought I could do what she does. I had grown so much in my knowledge and confidence and finally auditioned. I didn’t make it, I wasn’t ready. I continued working there, almost giving up hope but never wanting to leave such an amazing group of people. A year later I was working the front desk almost full time and working at other gyms part-time, then one day my now boss was teaching a special class in Aventura. I took that opportunity to go take that class and tell him I was ready. A few months later I auditioned and finally made it. Again, I never imagined this is where I would end up but I love what I do so much. I’ve been a Barry’s Miami instructor for a year now and I don’t feel like I work a single day in my life. I’ve never been happier.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely, rejection and not feeling like I was good enough or thin enough was the biggest struggle. It’s hard to be told no and not back down completely. Being likely the curviest female instructor can take a toll on your self-image.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an instructor at Barry’s Miami, working out of the Aventura and Midtown locations mainly. I’m known for keeping directions clear, keeping workouts hard af, and always having a bomb playlist that you’ll probably ask for the link to after class. I think my love for what I do and how hard to work every single day to keep things challenging, and fun and keep my clients motivated the whole way through set me apart. You can tell I’m always having the time of my life, I’m honest and I give you nothing but me the whole time, real and raw, absolutely no obnoxious fitness industry fluff.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
When I quit my job at the small business I was at, I was poor. I left and was getting paid half of what I had been previously. That was the biggest risk. It’s part of the reason I took the job at the front desk at Barry’s. It would save me my monthly membership and I’d be getting paid as well. I had to take that leap for my own sanity. I’m a big believer that what is meant for you will come and I’m also extremely resourceful. Sometimes you just have to believe you’ll be okay and take the big risk of betting on yourself when no one else sees it for you. We only get one chance to live a happy life, so I believe in doing whatever to make sure I’m thriving mentally and physically.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/bigkari_
Image Credits
Artem Shestakov
David Runyon
