Full name?: Nadia Murdock
Position / Job title?: Mind and Body Fitness Coach, Author and Media Expert
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? An Actress!
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position? I love that you said “create” because that is exactly what I did! After hitting a roadblock in my career I started to take a closer look at what truly makes me happy. All signs led to fitness! After years of being fitness enthusiast I decided to turn my passion into a career!
3. Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships? Since I created my own opportunity I never took on internships within health and wellness specifically. During undergrad I completed a few psychology internships that included mentorship programs and a forensic psychology work-study. These experiences have helped me when creating my Mind and Body program for Nadia Murdock Fit. I also took on opportunities that were unpaid in order to learn more and again more exposure, sometimes the greatest rewards aren’t always with a paycheck. Internships can offer a lot of benefits including work ethic, discipline and an amazing networking opportunity as well.
4. Tell us what a typical workday looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts? As fitness professional I wear many, many hats! In addition to coaching my clients and fine-tuning my classes. I am a contributing fitness writer for several outlets and an on-air media expert. I think it’s fair to say every workday is never the same. When you love what you do for a living a lengthy to do list is never a burden, it’s actually enjoyable!
5. What is the biggest career mistake you’ve ever made? I learned from every mistake I have made, it has brought me to where I am a today so I am not sure I can really call them mistakes. I look at it more like life lessons; one lesson I learned is not to be afraid to face challenges that scare me. The rewards are great when you challenge yourself.
6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women? Great question! I would have to say believe in yourself and don’t doubt what you are capable of. If there is something you want to try or create go for it! Don’t let anyone or anything get in your way of making your dreams a reality.
7. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important? Wow, this is something I am still trying to master. As an entrepreneur I always feel like I am not doing enough. Taking a moment to pat myself on the back really helps to center me and prioritize what needs to be done and what can wait.
8. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family? I think so but not without a supportive team! Whether it’s friends, family, a spouse or employees having a tight support system is the key to success.
9. If you could look into a crystal ball and see 20 years into your future, what would you want to see? Happiness, success and love!
10. Do you have any career role models? Who are they? My mother has always been a strong influence in my life growing up. She had a successful career as a Registered Nurse and a fantastic mother that was always there for my brother and I. With her consistent positive words of encouragement I never felt I couldn’t achieve anything. My mom always made me feel that any woman can have a fulfilled career and family life.
11. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise? “Closed mouths don’t get fed” -don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.
12. Parents love to say, “just wait ’til you have to face the real world…” When you were in college or high school, what did you think the “real world” looked like? What is the difference between what you thought and reality? This is another reason why I think internships are so important. Your first job is never like “Sex in the City”, the reality is you are going to do a lot of work for little pay. However these experiences are great for figuring out what you want in life and how to get there.
13. Should you work for the money, or do what you love? Sometimes we need to work for the money until we can work for the love and money. It’s definitely possible to earn money doing what you love, you just need to work extra hard to get there.
14. How important is money to you when considering a job? Fresh out of college I was just happy to have landed a job and get some work experience on my resume. Although pay initially was important so was the work experience. As the years progress and have a proven track record you can demand what your worth!
15. What is the single most important factor of a job? To be happy, let’s face it you are there a good chunk of the time so you should definitely be somewhat satisfied. Unhappiness can trickle into other facets of your life and that’s not living!
16. If you married a millionaire husband and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.) Yes! I love what I do. However having expendable cash would be nice for building a sick at home gym!
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