Meet Dorothy McGatlin | Fitness Trainer and Body LiFT Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dorothy McGatlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dorothy, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When it comes to work-life balance it hardly ever feels perfectly static with an equal distribution of weight on two ends of a scale. Instead, I think of it as more of a balancing act upon one foot.

Occasionally you are straight upright in the center perfectly balanced, but more often than not you are leaning or swaying slightly to one side or another…. Perhaps even falling down, but always able to stand back up and regain your balance.

As a mom, I like to compare work-life balance when starting my business to life balance when first having kids. When they were babies there was not a lot of balance. Balance looked like getting a workout in, a shower, maybe a trip to Target, and the scales were much more leaning towards caring for them. As they got a little older I asked for help more often and learned how to find a bit more balance towards the center. I realized that taking some time for myself and being more balanced allowed me to show up better as their mom.

When my online fitness and coaching business, Body LiFT, first started I could work late into the night on it, and the to-do list on all I wanted to accomplish seemed endless. The scales of balance were not very balanced at all, but just like I loved my babies when they were little I loved working on my business. So, I didn’t feel out of balance by spending more time working on it. It was just the balance I was in for that season of life.

As my business has grown, I’m able to hire more support, prioritize better, and feel more balanced.

Work-life balance is ever changing leaning one way or the other. It never feels static and perfectly balanced and that is okay with me. It would be stressful if I felt I had to maintain an equilibrium all the time. For me balance is letting myself lean both ways and I’m grateful to love both my business and my life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My Body LiFT Coaching program is more than a lose weight forever program, it is a change your life and your waistline recipe for success. Between the personalized targeted nutrition plan, access to live FIT workouts and LIT Pilates, along with a focus on mindset and habits over fad diets and cardio, the 1 on 1 accountability, and group support make it a can’t fail program to create life long weight loss results unlike any coaching program out there.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The beach is of course a must, we would also probably grab drinks at Barsha, or food at The Pointe. I would take them to the South Coast Botanical Gardens and if theatres were open again maybe a show at the Pantages.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am so thankful to all of the clients who transitioned online with me during the pandemic after HIP Studio closed. I would not have been able to build a business without their support. I am also very thankful for my husband and kids for all of their support and love.  Plus my mom, who never misses a workout, and has always believed in me.

Website: https://www.dorothymcgatlin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorothymcgatlin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorothymcgat

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DorothyMcGatlin

Other: Free Facebook Group with simple tips on weight loss and fitness https://www.facebook.com/groups/livefitnesstoday

Image Credits
Jonathan Young Brooke Tobin