Rachel Withers is a former dancer, now thriving as a FITpreneur based in the UK. No stranger to the world of dance, Rachel had trained with the Royal Ballet before deciding to focus on her family. After leaving the dance world, Rachel realised that she was not taking care of her body in the same way that she once had while dancing. Understanding that ballet exercise and techniques offer a plethora of benefits to one’s body and health, Rachel decided to share her knowledge and personal journey with others as she got herself back into shape. Thus, BalletBeFit was founded.
Rachel Withers’ brand combines the joy of dancing with the benefits of ballet training to offer people a number of fun and challenging fitness courses. After the very first class, a number of other dancers and fitness professionals began approaching Rachel, wanting to teach their own BalletBeFit classes. Rachel formed an online community centred on BalletBeFit in 2016 and has made it her personal mission to help women achieve their goals. The group fitness classes welcome everyone and are structured for any level.
BalletBeFit is designed to help women who wish to become successful FITpreneurs like Rachel, whether in a part-time or full-time capacity. In addition to the foundational courses that promote the basics of fitness and ballet technique, there are classes which are geared towards specific groups, such as ante/postnatal women, children, and older adults. Rachel has also designed courses which help other instructors and emerging FITpreneurs to learn how to grow and sustain their own business.
Today, Rachel has successfully cultivated a brilliant community of women and dance instructors who stay in shape without the dread of a mundane fitness regime. BalletBeFit maintains a high standard for their clients and the company as a whole, only hiring experienced instructors who wish to expand their knowledge through the resources that Rachel offers.
Through her company, Rachel Withers has expertly created a business centred on what she loves most: fitness and ballet. In her endeavours, Rachel continues to inspire and encourage others to lead healthier lives.
Interview with Rachel Withers
What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
Rachel Withers: I admire anyone who follows their passion, pursues their dreams, overcome struggles and has true grit and determination to succeed.
Name the most impactful lesson you learned from failure.
Rachel Withers: One of the best things you can do is to shift your perspective and belief system away from the negative, think of disappointment/failure as a lesson, part of a journey, and getting you one step closer to your goal.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Rachel Withers: Bringing my two children up to know that they can follow their dreams.
What did you waste the most time on when you were first starting your career?
Rachel Withers: Trying to do everything myself rather than getting the support and mentorship to help me build my business effectively and efficiently.
Name a tool you use for work that you can’t live without.
Rachel Withers: My Mac
What is your favorite hobby and why?
Rachel Withers: Painting furniture if I have the time. I really enjoy finding an antique piece and bringing it back to life. It’s the idea of turning something which has been discarded/not used into something special.
What excited you the most about your industry right now?
Rachel Withers: How exercise and fitness is now viewed from an holistic and mindset approach rather than as something which is a chore, something you have to do purely to lose weight.
What concerns you most about your industry right now?
Rachel Withers: As we are in Covid-19 it’s how the gyms, dancing schools, spas, the health and fitness, the arts, the theatres will survive.
What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
Rachel Withers: Difficult to answer as I plan rather than take risks, and if I decide to do something I see it as an opportunity rather than a risk.
Name one small habit that positively impacts your productivity.
Rachel Withers: I always plan my tasks for the next day at the end of my working day.
What tips do you have for getting a seat at the table?
Rachel Withers: I usually get missed as small so not great at that one.
What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
Rachel Withers: The Power of your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy. The book inspired me to change my thought patterns, it’s been such a game changer for achieving my goals.
Do you value intelligence or common sense more? Why?
Rachel Withers: If common sense is defined as knowing to use the knowledge you have at proper place and time then I’d go for common sense. As better to apply the knowledge you have and put to good use.
What would you consider to be the perfect day?
Rachel Withers: I adore the algarve, so taking a walk/run along the beach front, enjoying the sunshine whilst reading and finishing with an early dinner of beautiful seafood with a couple of glasses of wine.
