
How this Fitness Maven Got Over Losing Her Dream Job at 40 to Build a Successful Global Business

People usually spend their 20s and 30s climbing the work ladder and land a stable job position for the latter part of their professional career.
But what would you do if you end up losing your job at the age of 40, after years of dedicating your life to your work? How would you go about starting over again?
Here’s an inspiring story to take cues from should you ever find yourself in that situation.
Major Setback

Orangetheory Fitness: Latham was already a well-known fitness industry figure when she was fired from her dream job
Ellen Latham, the founder of Orangetheory Fitness, was 40 and working her dream job as an exercise physiologist at a luxury spa when she faced a major career setback.
She was fired from the job and was understandably devastated. At the time, she was a single mother raising her son and was well aware of the unfortunate reality of being a middle-aged woman having to start over.
Latham knew of the ageism that women over 40 tend to face in the workplace. What’s worse, women who were also mothers were found to be 79% less likely to be hired compared to their childless counterparts.
This harsh reality didn’t faze her from getting back up on her feet again though. Instead of looking for someone else to work for again, Latham decided to start her own business.
Getting Back up Again

Flamingo Images/Shutterstock: Pilates is a popular form of exercise that focuses on controlled movements
You see, the Upstate New York was lucky to have her father as an example.
She shares how her father, who worked as a physical education teacher, always had a positive outlook in life. Latham recalls her father telling her that the important thing in life was to choose something she feels passionate about whatever she ends up choosing as a career.
In the documentary, ‘Momentum Shift’, she shared how her father never made more than $50,000 a year yet felt like he was the most successful man on the planet.
Thus, Latham began her own Pilates practice and spent the years that followed expanding her business.
Global Brand

jejim/Shutterstock: Orangetheory is the successor of the ‘Ellen’s Ultimate Workout’ studio Latham opened in the ‘90s
Eventually, she was able to brand the science-backed workout she developed into what is now known as Orangetheory Fitness. The company, which currently operates more than 1,200 studios in over 23 countries, offers classes that combine strength training, running, and rowing in one high-intensity interval training workout (HIIT).
Orangetheory Fitness reportedly surpassed $1 billion in sales in 2018. It has also acquired over one million members across its locations.
Now in her 60s, Latham continues to work a job she feels passionate about with the bonus of having a reported net worth of $200 million.
More in Business
-
`
Here’s How to Get a Lower Mortgage Interest Rate in the Midst of a Market Meltdown
This pandemic that was first discovered in Wuhan, China has made it even harder to survive every day. Before this pandemonium...
March 31, 2020 -
`
Justin Bieber’s New Self Care Habit Involves This Unusual Musical Instrument
Justin Bieber has notably been more open about his personal life and struggles lately. And he just shared some more details...
March 31, 2020 -
`
Everything You Need to Know About Surviving a Contagious Pandemic When You’re Living With Family
With most people being stuck at home due to the coronavirus, some would find themselves in close proximity for an extended...
March 31, 2020 -
`
How Billionaires Are Keeping Themselves Busy Amidst the Coronavirus Outbreak
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread at a rapid pace across the world, people are encouraged to practice social distancing...
March 31, 2020 -
`
Kanye West Is Helping His Hometown Fight a Deadly Disease In This Meaningful Way
Kanye West may be a controversial public figure but he’s still proving to be among the most generous ones as well....
March 31, 2020 -
`
Small Business Owners Can Use This Resource to Stay Afloat During a Global Pandemic
As giant corporations continue to lose billions in the value of their stocks, small businesses are also taking blows from the...
March 31, 2020 -
`
Be Wary of Scams! How to Avoid a Bad Business Loan That Could Put Your Company at Risk
One way of financing a company is by taking out loans from a creditor. Thus, it’s imperative that entrepreneurs know the...
March 31, 2020 -
`
A PR Strategy Could Make or Break a Business, Here’s How You Can Create One Yourself
With a lot of other small businesses being launched these days, it can be hard to make one’s own to stand...
March 31, 2020 -
`
How to Build a Successful Business from Scratch, According to Those Who’ve Done It Before
Building a business from the ground up is a daunting endeavor. Luckily, there is no shortage of tips and advice available...
March 31, 2020
You must be logged in to post a comment Login