"Expect something great to happen every day, and it will," says Anna Cousins, the Founder/Owner of MyFitZone. A positive mindset is a common thread amongst #TheWomanAlchemist interviewed for the #SmashThatCeiling #womeninspiringwomen series, an insight into successful female leaders/role models.

ANNA COUSINS

Anna Cousins is a real survivor, and MyFitZone is an excellent representation of her drive to help others, a hub for real people, living real lives that want to be healthy and fit, ensuring that they have everything they need to be motivated, encouraged and empowered on their quest to become healthier and fitter. This interview is an extract from the book "STOP IT! It is all in your head" available now.

INTERVIEW WITH ANNA COUSINS

1. When you were a child, what was your dream job and why? I was obsessed with horses and wanted to work with them. Anything outdoors and active was something I always wanted to do. I was always the child that loved PE and wanted to do everything at sports day and dreamed of being a professional horse rider or jockey.

SUCCESS IS PERCEPTUAL

2. Can you tell me when you started to consider yourself successful? I have not always been in the fitness industry. My career started from painter and decorator to operations management and then business development and sale, in which I have a very successful career. Over the last three years, I have gone through a divorce, moved house five times, lost two jobs, been through times of depression and anxiety, all whilst trying to realise my dreams in the fitness industry. I spent two years training as a personal trainer and setting up MyFitZone whilst working full time. My decision to take this route was because I felt my destiny and purpose in life. I put myself under enormous pressure. It hasn't been an easy ride, and it still isn't, but I have pushed through the stressful times and the times I wanted to give up. In December 2016, I quit my job and threw myself full time into MyFitZone. I realised my success changed at this point, and I finally had personal success through my happiness of doing a job that I was so passionate about. Although not at the stage of currently being as financially rewarding as my previous roles, it has brought me success in the way of contentment, destiny and what I was meant to do – helping others achieve things they never thought possible.

FACING ADVERSITY

3. I'm sure you have faced adversity like every business/business person: how do you motivate yourself and force yourself through the worst times? You will get what you expect. Expect something great to happen for you every day, and it will. This is what I say aloud each morning to myself in the mirror, "I expect something good to happen for me today!" For me, mindset is everything. I have to keep it accurate, and I don't set unachievable goals, or this results in frustration yourself, and you start to feel depressed when you don't achieve it. We all make mistakes. The key is to learn from them and keep moving. It is always helpful to have the support and encouragement of those around you to help encourage you when your motivation begins to wane. It may not even be those close to you that give you the most support, but this is massively important to me, which gets me through the worst times. I have to step back take time for myself. Even if this is just a day off to re-evaluate, I always come back stronger and more motivated to get things done.

REDUCING STRESS

The more control you perceive I have in my life, the more satisfaction and less stress I experience. It also gives me more mental energy because there is less worrying that I might forget something or procrastinate on something important. I can rest assured that the critical task has already been prioritised. You also know what day and time you will be addressing it. No longer are there the nagging thoughts, reminding you of what you need to do or not to forget something. This often drains our mental energy and contributes to increased stress. Often in my industry, this leads to many people saying to themselves, 'There are much more important things to worry and think about than being healthy. I can worry about that later'. Organise yourself, make time for your health; make time for your training. Most importantly, make time for yourself. You have to take care of yourself.

THE BEST THINGS

4. What are the best things about your job? Helping people lead a fitter and healthier life and improve their well being and the results that come from it makes me proud every day. Although my online business is the core of what I do, I love the satisfaction from local classes, festivals, and personal training. Witnessing people change their lives for the better, overcome pain and injury they never thought they would because of what I have shown them is the most rewarding and best thing about my job.

5. As Tony Robbins says, "Success leaves clues": what are your daily/weekly habits? Fitness and healthy living is my daily habit! My weekly practices continually improve through coaching, mentoring, and providing new information for my followers. 6. What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership? The history of male leaders makes it difficult for women to overcome that perception. In addition, flexibility in the workplace also makes it difficult for women as the perception that women will go off and have children and be on maternity leave then come back to work and have the pressure of trying to run a family and hold down a successful job.

7. What women inspire you and why? Dame Kelly Holmes is a massive inspiration to me, so I am working with her at the Refresh Festival, which she is hosting. She is an exceptional athlete, and what she is doing through her charity and motivational talks inspires me every day. Karen Brady is hugely successful and inspiring in her role as vice-chairperson of West Ham United Football Club and a life peer in the House of Lords and many other prominent positions. The part in a male-dominated sport while juggling a family and different jobs. 8. What advice would you give to your 16year old self? I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't gone through the experiences, heartache, bad times, and good times. My only advice would have been to follow my dreams and passion earlier than I decided to do. To realise those dreams and to not be afraid of going after them.

MINDFULNESS

9. Your instant mindfulness fix… I escape the screen, the cameras, the work, and go for a walk to clear my head; this relaxes my mind and gets me into a better state to face any issues. Even if this is just a quick 5-minute walk – it helps me unwind. 10. And finally, something frivolous: the best thing about being a woman… The unique ability to multi-task, articulate what we want, have organisational skills and communicate. Women can be the most empowering and influential people – we have to accept and love who we are. I don't see that women are the inferior sex; in fact, we are the superior and doors open to us every day, it's just how we decide to react to them, and our mindset and confidence stop us from truly reaching our goals.

Top Takeaways from Anna Cousins

• Find your purpose and what you are meant to do, and you will achieve personal success.
• Expect something great to happen every day, and it will.
• We all make mistakes – the key is to learn.
• Follow your dreams and realise them.
• Go for a walk to clear your head – relaxes the mind, and you are in a better state to face life.
• Love who you are as a woman.