Sarah Toquero, Everybody Jungle Body owner and instructor

Just like any other business owner, Sarah Toquero, had her fair share of ups and downs. From letting go of something she used to be passionate about, she still managed to find another craft she successfully grew. This was all possible because it was fuelled with her advocacy of supporting women in the Perth community.

For Sarah, it doesn’t matter whether she has a family to take care of plus a full-time job she absolutely loves—since there’s a burning passion of wanting to share her fitness journey in her community, she was able to pull off a side gig, being a Jungle Body instructor. This hustle is for her as much as it is for her clients/attendees.

But, how did she do it?

Why did you decide to start this business?

I started Everybody Jungle Body as a result of [being] a participant for 6 years and loving the programs. In 2013, I was working part-time and started a raw food business. I was selling my products at markets and then became a regular stall at many of the Jungle Body instructor’s classes. I really loved the community spirit and the “vibe” of class participation.

In 2014, I made the hard decision to close my raw food business as I had really fallen out of love with it.  I then decided to become a Jungle Body instructor as I wanted to really harvest the same “vibe” and support women in my local community. It was also a good incentive to keep up my fitness routine.

Everybody Jungle Body runs classes 3 times per week and on top of that I work full-time in a government role. I really love my full-time job, so I’m not giving that up anytime soon.

What do you wish you knew when you started Everybody Jungle Body?

I wish I knew the positive impact having classes in my community would have. I would have started sooner if I did.

What is unique about EJB?

What makes EJB unique is that any age or fitness level can attend. Each program is set to amazing music and with only 4 moves per track; it’s really easy to pick up. There is not lock in contract either; you just pay as you go.

How do you empower women in the community?

By allowing them to have a safe space to exercise. No judgment! Just an hour all to themselves. No household chores to think about, no work, no kids calling “mum” every two minutes J. Just music, fun and some freedom.

What frustrates you as a career woman, a business owner, and a fitness professional?

Frustrations usually lie within myself; just not enough time in the day to get everything done. But I think every business owner feels this. I have set myself a task of outsourcing in 2019. If I don’t have the time, then I need to find someone who does, otherwise it’s poorly executed.

Was there a time in your career or business when you felt like you wanted to give up? What did you do to move past it?

Giving up….ask anyone that knows me and they will probably say I’m too stubborn to give up. When I fell out of love with my raw food business, I knew it was time to move on. I have been instructing Jungle Body for over 3 years now and I’m still loving it. Each class is different, so you never get bored. We are blessed with really great support from our Jungle Body head office and I think that helps with it never becoming mundane.

What was your vision when you started? Is it different today?

My vision was to create a comfortable exercise space for women in my community, I guess that vision remains today. If anything it would also now be to create positive mental health changes in my participants. You can never under estimate the power of belonging and friendship. These values have really been exposed in my Jungle Body participants.

What makes EJB successful?

EJB is successful because I’m very real. I laugh a lot, I openly admit to making mistakes and I often forget my moves in the middle of track. We usually just laugh and carry on. I’m only human J

If you could give one fitness advice, what would it be?

Find a friend to exercise with. [It] keeps you both accountable and it’s less intimidating starting something new with a friend.

The future ahead of you is dark. You are holding a ‘magic light bulb’, which has the power to illuminate any part in your future. (Means you can take a peek of your future) What part are you seeing?

The magic light bulb would see me on the South of France with a wine in my hand and a cheeseboard…..I will get to tick it off my bucket list.

The post The Illuminate Series: ‘Everybody Jungle Body’ appeared first on Soul Finance Group.

Confessions of a working mum

CAUTION: This is a sentimental and personal post.

In honour of the Women’s Month, I’d wish to take on a different approach for my business’ blog. Normally, in line with the celebration, I would provide financial tips that would work for women or answer some mortgage questions that are frequently asked by mums or just women in general. However, I realised I have been doing that already ever since I branched out on my own. (I even have some dedicated posts on my social media accounts if you want that type of thing). So I decided on changing the tone of this post. Hence, that led me to launch a new series (ish) in this blog entitled “Confessions” where I share my personal thoughts on things that are relevant and very close to my heart. I want to be more relatable to my audience. I want YOU to feel that I know your struggles because as a woman and as a working mum, and for many years as a single mother, I experience those, too.

Let me be honest. What really gave birth to this blog post is the constant dilemma that I have—juggling my business and being a mum to my kids. I’m no new mum but it seems to me that as my kids grow and get older, there are moments that I feel like I’m not doing the right thing. Like I’m always missing something. Plus the added stress of having to finish my deals otherwise I won’t be able to meet my set monthly quota. You feel me? Most of the time, I’m not even sure what I’m doing is the right thing as a mum.

Being a mum is hard, being a stay-at-home mum is harder, and being a full-time working mum? Well, sometimes, it’s just a never-ending struggle. It’s like 648439 emotions wrapped up into one giant ball of feels.

Then it hit me.

It was 3 years ago when I decided to branch out on my own. Being self-employed is something I’ve always wanted to do in within this business. It wasn’t easy– I had to do everything on my own. I’ve got to be realistic here–reality is, success doesn’t happen overnight. If I learned one thing, it’s to always hold on to what drives you in the first place. My passion. My kids. My family. They are the reasons why I’m doing what I’m doing, and that is the choice that I personally made so I can’t count on anyone but myself.

Women are inspiring. They hold high-powered positions across different industries; they start their own businesses; they raise families. In fact, majority of the women are raising their kids while having a full-time work. But with only 24 hours in the day, how do they do it all? Maybe the answer is “We don’t.” I only have to find a way how to make it work and sometimes survive the day.

And then I move forward.

With my two gorgeous boys

I take care of myself so I can take care of my kids. I wisely choose my support system.

The world is complex and it can be really competitive. I could advice you on a lot of other things that I learned while juggling my responsibilities as a mum and as a business owner but I trust in your ability to come through.

You are a woman. You may be a new mum, a single mum trying to make ends meet, just lost a job, or frustrated what to do next, but take courage and don’t be too hard on yourself. Have a brave heart to pursue what you’re passionate about.

For your kids and for yourself.

Salute to all the women out there! Happy Women’s Month!

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