Modern Day Influencer: Heather Dorak

Modern Day Influencer: Heather Dorak of Pilates of Platinum

Ever since I was a little girl, I remember my mom telling me to surround myself with girlfriends that would push me to do better in all avenues of my life. There was always going to be someone who would be smarter, prettier, stronger, more put together than myself, (the list can go on and on). I wasn’t to take this in a negatively way but look at it as a gift I was given. I was to learn from each one of my girlfriends so I can in turn better myself. That’s why this modern day influencer is so special to me, I have been blessed to know Heather Dorak for 5 plus years now and I can honestly say that she has been a true an inspiration to me. She breathes, sleeps, bleeds health and fitness, owning her own fitness studios for Pilates Platinum here in the Los Angeles area not only has her workouts become staples to the stars, her workouts are fun, creative and boy do they get you into shape. I have been blessed to learn many life lessons from Heather. From taking care of my body to boy problems, Heather has a way of inspiring you to be the best you can be. That’s this month’s modern day influencer is a kick ass kinda lady who will push you not only to feel better but to be better.

How did you get started in the career that you are in, did you face setbacks? Did those setbacks change the course of your life, if so in what ways?

There was an ah-ha moment, when I was going through some frustrations with an injury that would keep me away from dancing anymore and graduation from college approaching with thoughts set around what is the next step, is when I randomly I took a Pilates class on a reformer. From that initial class, I felt absolutely in love and wanted it in my life…always. Through research and deep thought it seemed like the perfect way to start my career into opening my first Pilates studio.

How do you find time to balance professional and personal life.

Doing what you love in important to me so when you love what you do you find it to be kind of your personal life too. I have met so many inspiring wonderful people from them walking into my studios that some of them are now near and dear to my heart. Going to work is like seeing my friends, it is a perfect blend. Of course I do like to keep a balance with outside of the studio too but it all seems to fall into place nicely. When you don’t specifically say okay, I need from the hours of 5-10pm to my personal time and just let things happen naturally is when things feel the most comfortable and easy.

How important is it to have women empowering women?

I cannot express into words of how important this is to me. There is so much pressure set upon women with a lot of it coming from other women. This is something I wish never existed. There is such thing as good encouraging power but using it negatively is so ugly to me. We need to find strength in helping others and seeing others succeed. There are so many empowering women that walk in to my studios that I feel overjoyed by them and seriously more inspired by them than they would ever know!

What was the most important piece of advice you have received and who gave it to you?

It is important to separate emotions from business. In order to succeed you cannot always make sure you aren’t hurting someone’s feeling because it is inevitable. Everything cannot go perfect for everyone to be happy. As long as no one is being malicious and things are being done for what is smart for the business than emotions cannot be effected in executing smart business decisions. This wonderful advice came from many entrepreneurs I spoke to before opening my business and while running it. They all say the same thing and it holds very true!

If you met the younger you tomorrow, what would you tell her and why?

I live life with no regrets. I don’t regret anything in my life I have done or will do. Stressing over spilled milk is no way to look at the world. If there is something though, it would be ways to cause myself less stress when I had moment of devastation. The biggest example being when I was injured and was told I wouldn’t be able to dance again. Hearing that devistation and going through the stress surrounding that, I would want the younger me to know that the world is not going to end and there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Light so bright you can’t even wrap your head around it!

We all have moment’s in life of now what? What is next for you

I am feeling pretty good in life right now. I don’t have any what nows. I just want to keep my business successful, keep inspiring others, be a part of my community, travel, see my family and friends often and maybe….open another location (turn bi-coastal).