Guest Takeover: Discussing Wellness with Amy Fendley
Amy, thank you for joining Truths and Gratitude today. You are a mother, wife, and also have the title of “wellness leader”. I enjoyed getting to know your sweet spirit at a recent Wellness Retreat.
Can you explain to us what it means to be a “wellness leader”?
Sure! I am an integrated health & wellness advocate focused primarily on hormones, the endocrine system and holistic educational health practices through exercise, involving functional movement utilizing proper form, proper nutritional and positive lifestyle habits, exercise therapy and yoga therapy.
I am a 2009 Kennesaw State University Graduate with a Bachelors of Science Degree. I hold an Elite Trainer Certification as a Certified Personal Trainer, Specialist in Fitness Nutrition & Exercise Stretch Therapy through the International Sport Sciences Association. I completed my Master Yoga Teacher Training through the Academy of Holistic Fitness in 2014 as a Master Trainer.
Callaway Wellness Programs are specifically designed, and personally created by myself, as approachable programs for everybody’s body. Callaway Wellness programs are offered to all guests and residents as an instructor driven - guided path toward complete health and wellness.
What do you love the most about leading others during the retreats that you put on?
Witnessing the breakdowns becoming breakthroughs brings me more joy than anything, because I know that person is starting the path toward healing.
Everyone has a story and every person shows up at a retreat in some way needing to do some self immersion work. I can have the most put together woman or man show up on a Friday, who says they are there just for the yoga portion or just for the rest. But the way I have designed retreats with journaling being an integral part, a breakthrough or a discovery happens to every single person - every single time. When we say our “see you laters” on Sunday, and a guest approaches me with a meaningful hug and peace behind their eyes, I know that the retreat was a success - even if it doesn’t happen to everyone….it happens to someone.
You will be leading seven retreats next year, and you mentioned that is the most that Callaway Gardens has put on. Why do you think these retreats are becoming so popular?
Callaway Gardens is beautiful and a popular destination for couples, individuals and groups. It’s a stunning layout of organic space where people can enjoy 2,500 acres of bliss, beauty and so many incredible programs. I grew up coming to Callaway Gardens and when I researched the simple philosophy of “connecting man & nature in a way that benefits both” I knew that Callaway Wellness would thrive and it has.
We’ve been working behind the scenes for three years to make our retreats incredible experiences, for the guests and residents of Callaway Resort & Gardens. The feedback we’ve received so far is why we’ve expanded the retreats from 4 to 7 per year. Simply put, guests asked, so we listened!
Life is busy and people crave disconnecting and simply just being still. That’s so hard to do when we don’t remove ourselves from our everyday normal patterns of life. Let’s face it, when we get home from our jobs we don’t truly get to disconnect. Our phones are in our hands, and we aren’t able to just breathe before the alarm goes off again to go do it all over again…. 5, 6 or 7 days a week. Self care is vital and everyone should take time to just “get away” from the norm, and the busyness of life once in a while to stay sane. Recharging one’s batteries at a retreat is just what the world needs…..and what better place to do that than at the beautiful Callaway Resort & Gardens.
On the wellness retreat you shared with us excerpts from your journal. You mentioned that you were on your 69th journal. That is impressive! Can you tell me what journaling means to you?
I have always said, “the transfer of information is transformation”, and there is healing in writing. For me, journaling is an outlet for me to pull my thoughts from my head and put it on paper, in ink. My writing is pretty much my legacy, the story of my life and my thoughts in words throughout my life. My daughters will be able to go back to all of my journals and read my heart. There is one thing I do know ,and that is at the end of my time on this earth, there will be no stone unturned about my authenticity, who I am, how I felt, what I thought and what impacted me. I have no secrets but I’m also not perfect. I want my girls to have the ability to connect with me, long after my days are completed on earth.
Do you have journals for different things (travel, for children, etc.)?
I don’t. I simply fill one and write about anything, anytime and it’s just a mind & heart dump of whatever I’m feeling or experiencing at that moment. My office is filled with journals of different makes & models. Each being memoirs of my life experiences in words.
What do you think others can gain from taking a moment to put their pen to paper?
It’s healing. It’s therapeutic. And it’s amazing what you discover about yourself in your writing. If you don’t think too hard about it, and you just simply allow your heart to connect with your pen and allow it to flow….. It’s surprising what you’ll uncover. I always wanted my journals to be beautifully written, and I would get upset if I messed up and had to scratch out a word, then I reminded myself one day - LIFE ISN’T PERFECT, life is messy, I am messy and when I finally gave myself permission to just simply write - I write with passion instead of perfection.
I love that you can recognize the importance of journaling. You have mentioned before that you worked at a previous job for 15 years, before becoming a wellness leader full time. Can you tell me what gave you the courage to step away, and to step into something that gives you passion?
I have always held a special place in my heart for the health & wellness industry, and I have also held a very special spot in my heart for my children’s school, where I have volunteered and been employed for 15 years. In 2009, I completed my degree in Exercise Science from KSU, and in 2010 I opened and owned a women’s only wellness center called IFC, in Atlanta where we covered every aspect of women’s health. Health Coaching, Bootcamps, Nutrition Consults, Therapy Programs, Personal Training, Yoga, Pilates, Stretch Classes.
When my father and grandmother fell ill at the same time, trying to manage a team of 12 as well as the logistics of such a large business that needed me more than I could offer, at the time was difficult. While it was a decision that hurt my heart, my family needed me and I had to make a tough choice. I chose to sell the physical building but still keep my company because I knew in my heart that the IFC story wasn’t over. After going through some tough times with losing my grandmother, and also being faced with hard decisions about my father, I took on a full time job at my children’s school, as the Director of Marketing. It proved to be incredible for my family.
Passion in a job is so very vital, because when your heart is invested in what you are doing, you are going to be your best self and show the world your best self in your role. Too many of us in our lifetime simply float through life, allowing “life to run us” vs “us running our own lives.” Truly living one’s potential may not mean having riches in money, and a rich life doesn’t always have to mean material richness. A rich, fulfilled heart is priceless. If what a person does every single day is costing them their peace and they find no joy in what they’re doing, it’s too expensive. I worked two jobs at once, which was very rewarding on two different levels, but I knew I was “burning my soul candle at both ends.” I would lie to myself and say that I was ok, but I knew I was wearing myself too thin.
I kept feeling a nudge that the IFC story was ready to be told again, and although I loved the people and the daily challenge at Job 1, it was not where my fire was ignited and again, I was faced with a tough choice. Long story short - I chose Job 2, my passion. Being in the health and wellness industry leaves me feeling fulfilled, satisfied and joyful. I am able to spend more time with my family, and I am able to share my talents and abilities with those who need an understanding soul, and a personal nudge to offer them the tools and knowledge to live longer, healthier lives.
My reward is that I am being utilized in this world as an individual who helps others see the importance of taking care of themselves. I feel that as a person, who has had to dig deep for the courage to make hard decisions in life, I am able to show others how rewarding it can be when we actually find the courage to dig deep, and do the hard things.
How has your life changed since stepping fully into what you are passionate about?
I actually journaled how I felt so I’ll share my heart from the pages of my journal.
“I am drinking in the meaning of life again and it feels like home. I feel like God has me right where I’m supposed to be and I’m doing exactly what He wants me to be doing. I’ve always heard that when something feels effortless, unforced and is fluid, it is meant to be. This feels comfortable and it feels right. Milestones in life and achievements have different meaning for everyone. If I must be truthful, my milestones and achievements are not to be measured by the amount of money I have in my bank account. I prefer for my achievements to be measured by how much peace I feel and how much love I have given at the end of each day. How I have helped others and how I have offered little nuggets of myself and my knowledge, I have shared with others along the way so that they may live longer and happier as someone who is healthy in mind, body & spirit. That to me, is living….”
What do you envision for yourself in the future?
I am at a stage in my life, where my daughters are at an age where it’s time for them to fly on their own, as they are finishing or nearing finishing high school.
That means that I will have to find a new normal and I have felt God placing me in more and more situations, where He is orchestrating the separation as preparation. When it’s time, and I am left with having climbed the ladder and it’s my time to ring the bell of “they’re off to college”... I hope to dive more into to growth of who I am as I approach 50. I also crave learning and I learn best from experiences. So, I truly want to learn and grow through retreat experiences, so that I can be better at what I do.
I recently attended a retreat where the instructor told me this: The way you do anything is the way you do everything, and that resonated with me SO MUCH.
I always and forever more want to be mindful in whatever I do. I want to do it with my whole heart and also be 100% present while doing it. I truly want to grow and soak in every moment of life no matter what I’m doing, and try to look at life through a positive perspective at all times.
What do you want your clients to realize about themselves?
That we’re all human... and we don’t have to be everything to everyone. Also, saying no to what doesn’t serve you well, isn’t being selfish... it’s being SMART. I wish everyone would understand the importance of taking the time to just be still and breathe... is the best medicinal gift you can offer yourself.
T+G Quick Snapshot of Amy Fendley
Beach or Mountains: Both
Open toed shoes or closed toed shoes: Open
What are you currently reading: Boundaries
Favorite Essential Oil: Patchouli
Favorite tea: Spice
Music or Podcast: Both
One word to describe your clients: Souls
One word to describe yourself: Nurturer
*** Click here for more information about Callaway Wellness with Amy.
Programs with Amy include:
Smaller Executive Group Sessions (up to 50 persons)
Small Private Group Sessions (up to 50 persons)
Personal Training
Nutrition Counseling
Yoga Stretch Therapy | Yoga | Meditation
Retreats