It's All Connected

Why am I an exercise science major if my dream career is music management? It's all part of the plan!

I am a firm believer that anything can be connected if you want it to be. I often get asked why I am majoring in Exercise Science while I intend on going into the music business industry. There are so many answers to give, but the main one being- I love both and I am passionate about both. Why confine myself to one box? 

I actually initially went to college as a business major. I started at a local university in hopes of later transferring to Belmont in Nashville. I ended up deciding not to pursue that major. The plethora of  accounting classes they used to "filter out" students of the competitive program sure did filter me out and I decided to switch degrees- I don't even count the weight I put on barbells, nevermind accounting. I ended up transferring schools and I decided to go back to the basics of what I research in my free time anyway and thoroughly love- exercise and sports. 

If you're new to my website or coming from the music industry- I have been playing sports for as long as I can remember and I recently made my bodybuilding debut in April (there is another page to this website, which elaborates on it). My reasoning for loving the gym is the same reason why I love concerts- it is where people all gather for one reason. Whether that is to better themselves by working out or by people coming together to hear the song that gave them a new perspective on things. I thoroughly believe in the power of music and I have also seen the gym change people's lives- beyond its physical attributes. The feeling I get when I walk into the gym is the same as the gates opening before the sprint to get rails at the pit for a favorite artist. I get hooked on songs like new exercises. Hitting a new PR (personal record, i.e. hitting a new weight for the first time) after months of programming and deloading feels just as satisfying as waiting up until midnight for the album you've been eager to hear for the first time for months. Hearing your favorite artist win EOTY (Entertainer of the Year; the highest and most well respected accolade in the academy) is like your friends cheering you on for a PR. A favorite artist recognizing you from the stage is the same out of body feeling as your name being announced at a competition. The video of Jayne and I screaming "the lifeboat's empty!" at Chelsea Cutler in Raleigh is the same euphoric, complete feeling of belonging that I felt on show day when I walked out after my show and I saw all of my closest friends who support me.  The list goes on but I think you get the point. Adrenaline is manifested in both fields, no pre-workout needed. Just. Passion.

Like I said, I recently made my bodybuilding debut back in April. After 18 weeks of dieting and training through trips and concerts, I ended up winning my pro card (1st overall within my division) at this competition. When I went to Nashville in June, people told me to tell industry officials about my win. I did not know how to mention it in a way that naturally portrayed "here is something I bring to the table" so I neglected to bring it up. My bodybuilding show represented a lot to me and it definitely is my most proud and rewarding moment but I did not know the proper time or place to elaborate on it in that setting. 

This most likely is not the first, nor will it be the last, time you ever hear me utter these words- it's only worth the time you put in. That is my biggest and simplest correlation of music and bodybuilding. To me, my bodybuilding show adds meaning to this lyric, which is already founded in a lengthy and my most treasured story. Bodybuilding is more than just 18 weeks of prep; for me, it is a story of overcoming. It is accomplishing your goals, no matter how "hard" they get. It consists of the years you spend building before deciding to step on stage. Similar to what I am doing now for the music industry. I am trying to build my resume and connections and grow what I have to offer for when I transplant to good ole Nashville, TN.

At 18, I started interviewing industry officials; at 16, I started my website; since I was 15, I have been building industry connections at shows and traveling to Nashville with this intention; my music business dream started in elementary school when I would countdown for when it was time to leave school and listen to music at home. I started sports in elementary school through junior year of high school; I began to be consistent in the gym at 14; I entered the powerlifting world at 19 and started prep at 20. Needless to say, working in the music industry and competing in bodybuilding both represent planting a seed and watering it patiently and relentlessly until it blossoms. Instant gratification is what people strive for. It is the work you do before that which dictates the final product.

I was also told to put my Pro Card on my resume. I thought this was a joke so I laughed it off until I realized people were serious. When I thought about it, I did. I hope people look at my bodybuilding show and see resilience, hard work, and determination. Like I said, my show represented a lot and I appreciate how the underlying meanings were portrayed. In addition, I was a full time student and I worked almost full time in prep, which meant studying anatomy on the stairmaster or lifting at 6am before my shift, which I would commute for, and then come home to do cardio at 10pm. If you want it bad enough- you will get it done. As a music manager, that is something that the artist you're representing needs to know and why they put their trust in you. Actions speak louder than words. It is a highly competitive industry and committing to that extra 1% adds up. In prep, I told myself that whoever works even 1% harder than I did deserves to win. My goal before each lift and cardio session was to never leave thinking "I could have worked harder". 

Now that the context has been presented regarding my personal and cognitive correlations, I will elaborate on its true benefit. First off, music is the entertainment industry- fitness and presentation are a huge component. I could be the tour manager and the on-the-road trainer. One person, two jobs. Sounds fun! Someone I would like to interview and/or shadow is Erin Oprea. She is a well known trainer within the Nashville community, most well-known for training artists like Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood. 

Secondly, do you workout without music? Do you drive without music? Do you go through your day without ever hearing a song? Music is prevalent everywhere. Mentioned in my last post, I did a study on the power of music and how it directly impacts one's physical and cognitive functioning, in addition to overall well being. Most of the proofs I came up with were in regards to exercise and mental health. If you follow me on my fitness account then you know that this is one of the biggest things I advocate for. Regarding the argument on music's impact for our mental health- in its simplest form, music morphs the structure of water molecules. Dissonance produces skewed structures whereas harmony produces parallel and well-formed structures. Taking into account how much water our bodies consist of, it is evident that music scientifically evokes emotion within us. This is why what you tell yourself and who you surround yourself with is so important as well. They have the same affect. There are numerous studies done on this- Dr. Masaru Emoto is who discovered this movement. 

I am excited to hopefully expand my knowledge in this field this semester as I take a class on exercise psychology! My classes are currently either exercise/physiology classes or they are psychology classes. 

When I move to Nashville after graduating, I can work in gyms or create my own programs while interning or working for management companies. My resume largely consists of gyms and the music industry. I have restaurant experience as well, which I believe is vital for people to experience. Working in restaurants really fueled my fire to pursue music management because I knew I wanted something far different and to pursue a path that could fully be my own and something that I have built completely from its foundation for my future. 

Like I said, I used to work at my gym in Williamsburg. Through my different positions (welcome desk, social media, and membership), I learned a new way of interacting with people. This is a vital component to most industries, especially a public one like music. I did social media there, which obviously correlates to digital journalism in the industry. This factor of my job has already helped me in both the music industry and how I go about my own social media (not that I really take it that seriously but it has had an impact). This skill then permeated to my internship this summer where I dove even deeper into social analytics and research.

Going from "that welcome desk girl" did, in fact, benefit my career goal in Nashville! See! It is all connected! 

This then surfaces the question "why not major in marketing or communications?" Easy answer- I don't want to. Do you spend money on clothing you don't wear? No. Why spend time on a degree you don't want? I enjoy figuring things out as I go and between experiences and mentors, I feel right on track. The people I have come across the past few years have been amazing- both in the gym and in the music industry. I also don't like referring to my degree as a "backup plan". It's not. It is a passion that can also lead to experiences and helping others. It is another feather in my cap. 

My degree had an impact on my prep and I would like to eventually share that with people. I do have a fitness account and this is the direct result of combining passions- fitness and marketing/social media. While I do not make the algorithm my ride or die, I look at it more than I normally would have and I believe staying on my toes for this ever changing component will be a positive asset for my future career as a manager. Sometimes, you get millions of views off leg pressing your gym bros. Other days, you get a couple hundred for posting an actual workout. It is all for fun but it still has direction and purpose. 

Needless to say, there are correlations between my two passions. The biggest one- I plan to expand my knowledge and experience for both and then convert that into how I can help people. When you are so passionate about multiple things, they naturally overlap and a connecting point inevitably reveals itself. Whatever I do with my career or in my day to day, I just want to help people. I repeatedly say that because it is true and I believe music can change someone's life just as fitness can. They both immensely impact one's mental health and physical wellbeing; I have first hand experienced that and it has become my thesis statement of prep and the music industry. 

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