Ever thought about jacking your job in and starting something new? Course you have, but how many people actually do it. Meet Cate, this weeks LDNER who swapped a career in media for something she truly loves and started up her own business PUSH Mind & Body, a bootcamp to get you in shape, give you life coaching, nutritional advice and mindfulness training…
Where do you live in London and what do you love about that area?
I live down in Balham which, to be frank, I don’t ?really ?love? anymore?. It’s about as exciting as a femidom and ?has a tendency for shops which sell over-priced ‘toot’ and Bugaboos, of which I currently have no call for either. However, that said, I have a lot of my dearest friends within a 10min walk which is pretty rare in London and something ?that ?I ?massively treasure.
You recently set up PUSH Mind and Body, how did that come about?
I worked in media for 16 long years and, for the last year, I knew I wasn’t enjoying it any more and was ready for a change. However, like so many others, I really had no idea what else I could do. Exercise had always been a big part of my life – I always knew that every part of my life was so much better when I did it. To that end, I visited a bootcamp at the beginning of 2014. I loved everything about it but recognised where it could be improved and what I would do differently. I wanted somewhere that would really nurture people and most importantly be the start of a journey which we would continue to be a huge part of once they left.
I came back eager to set up my own. However, after a couple of months, was sucked back into real-life and it seemed impossible. Sadly, last spring, Mum was diagnosed with cancer and being with her everytime she had chemo was the kick-start I needed. Life was too short and I wasn’t going to waste it in a job I no longer loved. I left media in September 2014 and launched ?PUSH ?in December! We are the UK’s first re-bootcamp. We combine exercise with nutrition, mindfulness and exec coaching to give you all the tools you need to live a better life. To say it’s been the most incredible whirlwind would would be an understatement!
One of the best things about PUSH now is that Mum, having made a full-recovery, is part of the team and helps me look after the guests – it’s a properly family atmosphere! I now have a job which means I spend more time with her rather than one which takes me away from her because I’m so busy.
What advice would you give to others wanting to leave their jobs and start up their own companies?
God, there so many things that I had absolutely no idea about (and believe me, I am a NOVICE!!). However, for me, the three biggest would be: Be authentic – PUSH is me and I am PUSH and I totally get the audience that we have created the concept for because I’m it. I live and breathe what we stand for and, for me, it’s the only way I can be true to what we’re creating. Be tenacious – if you believe in something, give it everything you’ve got and don’t stop ’til you’ve got it! I now work 18 hour days and have been like a dog with a bone. I’m sure I’ve become a right work-bore and have quite literally pulled in every favour every owed. However, let’s be frank, I’ve done a lot worse for less and, when it’s for something you love, shame goes out the window. Be nice – it goes a long way.
What have you got planned for PUSH Mind and Body this summer?
This summer, we have a huge focus on bringing day-long retreats to London. So, everything that you love about PUSH. In a day. On your doorstep. The first one will be at The Hoxton, Holborn on 30th May and will include three ?exercise sessions and three coaching sessions in nutrition, mindfulness and exec coaching ie all the tools you need to live better after you leave us. The day will start at 930am and run through until 530pm and is going to take over the whole hotel, which is exciting but also feels slightly mental! All food and drinks will be included and we’ve got a host of amazing alternative therapies to try out too.
It will be an incredible day which is the perfect kick-start to shedding weight, toning up and feeling brilliant for summer. We promise, even after such a short amount of time, that people will leave lighter, happier and re-energised with a really different view of life. There might even be a glass or two of wine at the end – I mean, it’s all about balance, right?
Finally what would your perfect day in London entail?
Right now, probably lying very still in my bed, with a drip of Sauvignon in one arm and another of melted Gruyere in the other, with Geordie Shore on repeat. Oh and I’d probably roll over to get off with (a post-surgery) Calvin Harris occasionally (Taylor Swift would have f*cked off for the day). However, let’s pretend it’s not been a crazy couple of weeks. It would be sunny. I’d be with all of my mates and we’d be hanging out in a park. Which was near a pub, where someone like the Cuban Brothers were playing and, miraculously, a bar and toilets which were there to serve only us. Something like that. I’d probably still be getting off with Calvin too. Seems only right if he’s managed to get shot of Taylor.