Have you ever had life take you in a direction you never would have imagined? More importantly, can you relate to the fear that comes with that new direction? With the unplanned?

I paid a lot of money to receive a quality education and earn a degree in elementary education and teaching. I knew I loved working with kids, and I knew I loved helping people achieve success, so it seemed like a great fit. But then, reality sunk in as I sat in a meeting with parents, grumpy old teachers and district administrators who were telling me all of the things I couldn’t do. It hit me hard, and I distinctly remember saying to myself, “this is not where I want to be.”

I quit my teaching career, with nothing else to jump to, and had no idea where I was headed. My husband and I had just moved to California, funds were tight and everything was defenseless.

To make some money in the transition, I took an administrative assistant job at Hansen Fitness for Golf. I answered phones, made copies and intensely observed a lot of great trainers at work. I have always loved fitness, so I was intrigued by the process. As I tried to sort out what my future was going to look like, I took the necessary steps to become a trainer. It was awesome, and I instantly fell in love with the idea of helping people achieve their goals through fitness, specific to golf. From helping to eliminate pain, to gaining yards off the tee, I became hooked on helping push someone to a new level in their game.

I committed and submerged myself in the work. I began absorbing as much as I could about golf, body mechanics, fitness principles and mental game. The learning curve was steep, but I felt myself gravitating towards a new future I was excited about.

Then an opportunity presented itself to be the director of fitness and mental coaching at South County Golf Academy. It was the perfect, next big step to my future, and I have never been happier!

Golf has become part of who I am. I have realized there is more to this awesome sport than grinding on the range, cigars and falling asleep to it in front of a TV (those three things basically sum up my previous experience with the game).

Golf has taught me the importance of staying active and healthy. No matter what your age, you can be happy, healthy and pain free.

Golf has taught me that your mind and your body are your most powerful tools.

Golf has taught me that surrounding yourself with people who uplift you is ultimately the best key to success in anything you do.

Golf is teaching me that nothing in life comes easy. Whether it is golf or in life, you might have a good shot, and then a terrible shot.

Golf is teaching me to enjoy the moments of success, and then get back to the grind of working hard.

Above all, golf is teaching me what we strive to instill in everyone we work with at South County Golf Academy: “Always be looking for your NEXT LEVEL.” Whether it’s golf, or anything else in your life, how are you taking it to the next level every single day?

Six years ago, I never would have thought I would be here. I never thought I would have learned so much, and craved to play golf as much as possible. I still have so much to learn, and am not even close to where I want to be, but I am working to reach my next level each day.

Golf, which was my unknown, unplanned next step, has taught me to never stop learning, growing and taking your life to your own NEXT LEVEL!

Jentry is currently the Director of Golf Fitness at South Country Golf Academy.