Today we’d like to introduce you to Autumn Kirk-Phillips.
Autumn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to AKP Fitness began in 2009 after the birth of my third child. I wanted to find a way to lose my post-baby weight and get back to being me again. I joined a local fitness club and began to take one Zumba class per week, then two, then three. Before I knew it, I was taking Zumba classes whenever they were being offered. I loved everything about Zumba, the freedom, the passion, and, most importantly, the dance. After being a stay-at-home Mom for seven years and focusing almost all of my attention on my littles, I felt it was time to re-invent me! And then I thought, what better way to do it than becoming a Zumba instructor? I mean, getting paid for working out- YES! In 2014, I received my Zumba certification, but it wasn’t until 2015 before I would get my first class. My first class was definitely a crash course in becoming a fitness instructor, but the mantra that kept me going was “just keep dancing,” and that I did. In 2018, after several other certifications, I created AKP Fitness.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A challenge that I have faced as a fitness professional has been finding the right balance between work and rest. I feel as fitness professionals; it’s really easy to reach burnout, much of the time without us being aware of it. I think it is important for fitness professionals, as well as professionals overall, to really take the time to find a balance that works for them.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In 2018, I joined the team at Lifetime. Pairing my passion for fitness with their company values was a perfect fit. Five years later, I am a 5-star Elite performer with the company as well as a Lead of ARORA programming. My community involvement as Zumba ZCOM keeps me connected to my first fitness community, and teaching monthly classes at Post HTX keeps me connected to our Houston Community.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
AKP Fitness believes in empowering people to be the change that they want to see in their life/fitness journey. By encouraging and uplifting my students/clients, it enables them to work toward their fitness goals, knowing that I will be there cheering them on every step of the way. What is AKP Fitness? AKP Fitness is a company that really focuses on the client’s goals. Listening to my clients’ needs, both mentally and physically, enables them to create an attainable plan that will allow them to succeed, and it allows me to provide the support, training, and classes to help them achieve it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.akpfitfit.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/akpfitfit
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/akpfitnesshouston
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-kirk-phillips
Image Credits
XS Photography
HTX The Great Visions Photography
