We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamara Franklin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamara, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I think of my work life balance as of recently, there has been a lot of schedule shuffling due to me being a new wife. I have had to work out more boundaries for personal training clients and have a minimum schedule that I must not veer from much. I have a set schedule for teaching pilates, working 1-2 dance collaborations a year, and setting dates to spend time with those important in my life. This can be kind of hard for the people pleaser in me. I how to keep reminding myself that there is only so much you can do in a day and you have to give yourself time to rest, recharge, find time to spend with your husband, and friends. Taking care of self first is most imperative so I can have the energy to help others with my talents and continue doing what I love. I made a vow to myself to be intentional in all my endeavors in life.
 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One of the things I’m most proud of is that like everyone in the world I’m uniquely me. I feel that I I’m right where I should be in my life. I can say that I’m okay it. That doesn’t say that there is contentment, because I’m always striving for ways to learn and make my teaching of pilates, my coaching as a personal trainer, and my artistry as a dancer better. That just says that I have more positives of life and more happy moments. I’ve come to an understanding to live intentionally in the moment, still dream, and still make plans to pursue those dreams.

I’ve gotten to where I am in my profession by continuing to pick myself up after a fall or from what didn’t work right then. I’ll look at obstacle’s as okay let’s try again, but let’s use other tactics. Let’s ask for help and use my resources to move things along. I also know that slow strides are way better than fast actions that repeatedly return setbacks.

Learn to work smarter as mentioned above hasn’t been easy. Being a Virgo comes with that impostor syndrome of you being perfect. I’m not perfect; nor is anyone, but God. I want the world to know that I am a person of integrity that will do her best to bring ease to body’s that I encounter on a daily bases as long as I have breath in my body. The right movement is best medicine I can prescribe to anyone I work with.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my Gosh! This is a fun and challenging one. I’ll give you what one day would love like

So I love coffee shops. I know at list on two mornings I would take them to some of the new little coffee/tea shops that have been popping up like The Enchanted Tea Lounge, and to Congregation Coffee in Germantown.

Then we would go to Amani Day Spa on Main St Downtown Memphis and have massages and a facial.

They wound have to try an adult Modern Class with me at Ballet Memphis taught by Kristen Lucas. It’s okay that they are fluid in the terminology. This would be fun!

We would end with dinner at Tekila Modern Mexican in Southaven, MS.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to Toni Mason for the following reasons: She has been a sister to count on as a dance colleague, a workout partner, and a business mentor. She has given me so much knowledge and continues to do so.

I would like to also shoutout my husband Tony Franklin for being my inspiration to keep me clear minded on continuing to work in fitness and the arts. He has been a major part in my the journey of my growth.

Instagram: @tamaranfranklin

Linkedin: Tamara Franklin

Other: My email [email protected]

Image Credits
Wedding photo of me in the white rob seated on the burgundy couch by Bodied By Bre All Photos of me in orange and the blue 2 piece bikini laying on my back by George Kontaxis Selfie headshot taken by me with long braids Mat pilates photo of me teaching at Fabletics Memphis Full body on the reformer with black crop top and purple pants taken by me The black and white photo was for Neile Martin

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