Philadelphia Portrait & Pet Photographer | April Ziegler Photography

I took the i.d. badge from the outside pocket of my purse, where it has resided for the past 6 years, and left it on the desk. With everything that I’ve grown accustomed to seeing on the desk around me now packed in a bag, I took a deep breath and walked out of the office. Today is the day that I left the corporate world.

I never dreamed of what I would be when I grew up. I wanted to be so many things, at so many different times of my life. But one thing was constant… I knew for certain what I did NOT want. I’ve always said that I couldn’t imagine myself being happy working a desk job. Sitting in a cubicle for 8+ hours a day. And for the past 8 years, I’ve done just that. As some of you know, I lost my dad 2 years ago… a man with a 10th grade education and a huge heart that busted his ass every. single. day. of his life so that I could follow my dreams. So that I could go to college and travel and try to figure out just what I should do with my life. What makes me happy. And now I have found something that I love, and that I’m passionate about, and that I built a business doing… and I think it’s a disservice to him, and to myself, not to chase this dream. The past few years have been a rollercoaster… a struggle to balance a day job, a growing business, time with my husband, pups, family, and friends. But it has been so worth it. I’ve never been happier. I never could have imagined that this little business would grow so fast. I never could have imagined how many amazing people it would bring into my life. Or how many amazing places it would take me. And while I never ever dreamed of becoming a photographer, now I can’t imagine not. So today, I begin my chase…

Baaaaaaarely squeezing this in before it’s no longer Tuesday…

1. What does your work out schedule look like?
It’s random and severely lacking. Pretty much whenever I have free time to jump on the treadmill or bike. Right now the only negotiable time that I have is sleep, and I’m not willing to give up one of my five hours of sleep to work out. Call me lazy.

2. What is your favorite machine to use at the gym?
Though my gym membership has long since expired, my favorite machine was probably the smith machine. Everyone loves a good bum workout.

3. What is your favorite class to take at the gym?
I’ve only ever done a yoga class. Would like to try Zumba though.

4. Where do you shop for work out gear and clothing?
Nike outlet. Or Sports Authority.

5. If you can’t go to the gym, do you have a favorite outdoor activity?
Taking the pups for a walk. They love, love, love it. And I love the way they prance along without a care in the world.

6. What about a favorite work out DVD? If so, please share!
Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga. It has three different levels of difficulty, though all three are pretty kick-ass. Or maybe I’m just really out of shape…

7. Are you more active now or when you were in high school?
In high school, for sure. I spend far too much time at a desk now.

8. How has your dieting/working out philosophy changed since high school?
I didn’t have much of a dieting/working out philosophy in high school. I think my focus then was more on being thin, whereas now it is more on being healthy.

9. What do you do while working out– (i.e., day dream, read, listen to music, gab with a friend)?
Watch tv, thanks to a fabulous husband who installed a tv in front of my treadmill. Or read gossip mags… the treadmill is the perfect time to catch up with my good friend, US Magazine.

10. What working out resolution would you like to make for yourself this year?
To do it? Yeah. That might be a start.

I aim high.