I've known I wanted a traditional Maternity Leave since the summer of 2007, when I worked at Goldman Sachs in London.
And interesting time to start planning your next break from the industry, right?
And yes, laugh all you want . . . but you guys know I've always been a planner!
As an eager new college Intern, I'd toted home the benefits folder from HR to review one night in my rented flat in downtown London. I remember pouring over every detail and trying to form a vision of myself working at the company for the long-haul. While most of the details are now fuzzy, what I do recall was women who worked for Goldman Sachs in the UK (at the time) received four months of paid-leave, men received one week of Paternity Leave, and you also got a week off for your wedding.
Cool!
I had a gut feeling, even then, that
1) I've always wanted to be a mother, and
2) a sense that transitioning in to motherhood was a big emotional, physical and mental adjustment . . . one that would take time.
Nowadays, a lot has changed. I left the financial world almost 6 years ago, went back to Nutrition School, started a thriving health coaching business, wrote a book, got married to the love of my life, and soon after, pregnant.
The world has changed too. I know that tech firms, and now big banks often offer up to 6 months of maternity leave in the "war of benefits" and at the same time, many life-style bloggers and wellness influencers don't press pause — and instead start chronicling their post-partum life and personal recovery just days after their new baby makes his way in to the world.
But, in many ways, not a lot has changed — for me. I've remained committed to what I know at my core, what is best for me, my baby and my growing family. I need the time to gracefully set down my business and pick up a baby for the next 4 months.
So, my friends, I'll officially be on Maternity Leave from May 1, 2020 through September 1, 2020.
I'll be back in September with a renewed appreciation and hopefully, strength, for both my business and a working mom life.
What to Expect from Me and FitVista
May 1st through September 1st
In short . . . nothing. I'm officially signing off my work email and Instagram @michellefitvista on May 1st. Sure, I do plan to share a baby announcement, but otherwise, expect me to pretty quiet for the next few months.
Did you hire someone? I thought about hiring an intern to keep up posts, sharing content or checking emails, but what I truly value about my business is 1-1 connection and confidentiality with my clients, and having an intermediary just didn't feel right, or necessary.
Will I be paid? Well, my friends, one of the less glamorous sides of owning your business and having a flexible schedule is giving up the perks of a paid maternity leave. Alex and I consider ourselves very lucky that we have savings and his job and health insurance to cover my time off.
What about content? The best way to stay connected to my work and messaging is to pick up your copy of Self-Care in the City and open it up to a spot you may have missed, or re-read sections that catch your eye. I also have all saved and searchable blog posts saved here, and 5+ years of helpful Instagram content and quick tips if you scroll backward on my profile.
What about when you're back? Content will remain what you know and love about FitVista — sharing effective strategies for busy go-getters like yourself to optimize your nutrition, fitness and self-care, reducing stress, and make wellness work for you.
As I shared when I announced this pregnancy, I am not becoming a Mommy Blogger! Sure, I love so many of these accounts, highly respect my friends that share such quality content, and have found them incredibly useful for pregnancy and prepping for baby, but it's simply not how I can serve you best.
Our Privacy. Alex and I made the decision months or maybe even years ago, and I feel just as strongly that we won't be sharing photos of our little baby boy online. I can post all I want about my salads, or workouts, or stress-less tips, but I don't feel comfortable sharing my little one on the interwebs. I fully realize this may limit my "reliability" or connection to my readers in some way, but it's just that important to me. If we're IRL friends or you're my former client, of course, I'd be happy to share a photo of our little guy directly with you!
Working Together I am SO excited to meet my future clients when I'm back in September. And I hope that's you!
I often like to say that September is the New January,
So I know timing will be perfect to re-engage and discuss working together on your personalized health coaching program. Also, can't we all agree that we hope the world will be back to "normal" by then??!
Here's how to get on my list for new client openings:
Write me an email, expressing your interest in working together this Fall. Sure, I won't be able to reply ASAP, but I'll be checking my emails in late August and compiling a list of names to reach back out to, on a first-come, first-served basis.
We'll schedule complimentary consultations in September, where I'll get to know your goals, habits and dreams over a 30 minute phone call and see if we're the right fit to work together.
Never hesitate to inquire! I typically take on 2-4 new clients a month, and there is always room for you if it's the right match.
I absolutely love reconnecting with former clients for shorter programs to refresh and take it to the next level.
If you have Referrals, as always, please send your friends and colleagues here to my website at FitVista.com to read through the content and see if we're philosophically a good fit. I've added a "banner" and several notes that I'm on Maternity Leave from 5/1 to 9/1, so it should be clear to everyone reading that I'm away for awhile.
I plan to also return to Corporate Speaking Engagements and Book Talks in November 2020. Please see my speaking page for a list of services and what former happy corporate clients have to say.
With just 2 weeks, and 1 day until his due date on May 16th, our baby boy has been making his strong kicks known as I write this note to you today.
He either wants to say hi . . . or he's encouraging his mother to wrap things up already and start this maternity leave!
So my friends — until we meet again — stay strong, prioritize your own health and mental wellness and know that hikes, happy hours and hugging friends and family will come back in to all our lives when the timing is right and safe. Hopefully, soon.
Wishing you the best, always.
PS: I’ll miss you!
