FreelanceFitnessPodcast

Cross-Training: How Learning New Skills Strengthens Your Freelance Game

November 12, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Cross-training for creatives

Even pro athletes don’t just practice one move over and over.
A swimmer doesn’t only swim laps. A hockey player doesn’t just shoot pucks. They run, lift, and stretch — building the muscles that support their specialty.

It’s the same for creative freelancers.

You might specialize in one craft — voice acting, video editing, design, or copywriting — but if you want to perform at a high level, you can’t just train one muscle.

When I started working as a professional voice over artist in Montreal, I thought my time was best spent reading copy and refining my delivery. But I quickly learned: the performance is only one part of the job.

If I couldn’t record clean audio, edit it properly, or label files the way the client expected, my “great read” didn’t matter.

So I started learning audio editing, mic technique, and post-production. It wasn’t my main passion — but it gave me control, confidence, and better communication with clients. I could troubleshoot problems myself, deliver faster, and speak their technical language.

That’s cross-training in action.

Why it matters for your business

When you cross-train your creative skills, you become a more valuable collaborator.
You’re not just delivering your part of a project — you understand how your work fits into the client’s bigger picture.

That means you can anticipate their needs, solve small issues before they become big ones, and deliver projects that feel seamless.
And that’s what clients remember — not just talent, but reliability, adaptability, and understanding.

But, like in fitness, there are pitfalls to watch for:

Diluting your core skill: Don’t let side skills overshadow your main expertise. Keep your primary craft sharp.
Time management overload: Learning new things takes time — schedule it intentionally, like a workout.
Financial overcommitment: Test before you invest in new tools or training.
Brand confusion: Frame your new skills under one clear, client-centred story.
Losing sight of your “why”: Learn strategically — to serve your clients better, not just because it’s trendy.

When you cross-train with purpose, you build long-term value — for yourself and for the people who hire you.

How to put it into practice

So how can you start cross-training without burning out or losing focus?

✅ Pick one supporting skill that complements your main service.
If you’re a voice actor, learn audio editing or marketing for creative professionals.
If you’re a videographer, try motion graphics or scriptwriting.

✅ Get guidance.
Join a professional community, find a mentor who challenges you, and seek constructive feedback that helps you grow.

✅ Use what you learn.
Don’t get stuck in endless learning mode. Apply your new skills on real projects, even if they’re not perfect yet. Every project is a rep — a way to build creative strength.

Each new skill gives you flexibility, confidence, and creative resilience.
When clients see that you understand their world — that you can speak marketing, tech, and storytelling — you’re no longer just a freelancer. You’re a trusted creative partner.

Because in the end, cross-training isn’t about doing everything.
It’s about doing what makes you stronger, smarter, and more adaptable — one skill, one rep, one project at a time.

This article is based on an episode of my podcast Freelance Fitness, the weekly 10-minute workout-slash-break for creative freelancers who want to strengthen both body and business.

Get motivated, build better habits, and stay connected with other creative professionals — all while moving to great music.

Listen on your favourite platform: Freelance Fitness

Breaking It Down: Freelance Productivity, One Task at a Time

November 5, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

It’s tough sometimes to fit everything we want to do in a day, isn’t it?

That’s something I’ve been struggling with lately, which is why I’ve been experimenting with a new calendar app and restructuring my day into new time blocks.

As freelancers, our to-do lists can feel endless — projects with multiple components, client requests, admin tasks, emails — all piling up. When you look at it all at once, it can feel overwhelming.

But like the proverb says: the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.
That’s how I think about productivity too. Break it down. One clear task at a time.

Time management isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing what matters most — the things that move you toward your project’s completion and your overall business goals, when you have the energy to do them best.

For me, that meant completely reorganizing my schedule. I realized I was working late into the evening when my brain just wasn’t at its best. My real focus time is 9 to 5. So I started blocking out my day — assigning specific times for specific tasks.

Each small, completed task is a win. And when you can see your progress, it’s motivating.
Those checked boxes don’t just look good — they’re real data for planning your next project and rethinking your workflow.

And sometimes, “productivity” looks different.
Maybe you spent the day cuddling a sick child, going to the dentist, visiting a friend in the hospital, or taking a long weekend to rest. Guess what? That is productivity. You were doing something essential — living your life.

We work to live, not live to work.

It’s important to recognize that personal priorities also belong on the calendar. Ignoring our needs — or those of our loved ones — doesn’t make us better freelancers. It just distracts us from our creative work later.

Productivity is a moving target

Sometimes the struggle is just in buckling down when we need to. So how do we make the most of our time in business and in life?

Get the right tools — maybe a new CRM or a better calendar. But take time to learn how to use it properly. The best tool out there is worth nothing if it’s badly configured.
Build in review time — once a week, check in on your schedule and notifications. Adjust what isn’t working. Productivity is trial and error — bake that into the process.
Manage distractions — if you tend to drift off mid-task, plan for breaks and focus intervals. A timer can help. You’re the boss, so design your day with intention.
Revisit your mindset — not every piece of advice out there is for you. For every new “hack” or “method,” ask: does this align with my values and my goals? If not, let it go.
Protect your focus — especially around the holidays, when everyone’s fighting for your attention, time, and money. Write your priorities down. Keep them visible.

You have options. You have agency.

You decide how your day flows, what gets your attention, and what gets postponed.

So take the time — even if it means a bit of short-term chaos — to make time for time management. The rewards are worth it: fewer late nights, less guilt, and greater satisfaction in your personal and professional life.

Chunks of focus. Periods of rest.
Doesn’t need to be a long break. Just the right one.

Between client calls, coffee refills, and a mountain of admin work… when exactly are we supposed to manage our time?

This week, I’m tackling that question head-on in Freelance Fitness — with real talk about time, focus, and finding balance without burning out.

What’s one thing you’ve done recently to make your freelance schedule more manageable?
Has breaking your day into smaller blocks helped your focus — or made things feel too rigid?

Comment and let me know!

Quieting the Noise: Finding Focus When Your Brain Won’t

October 29, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Can I ask you a question?

Where’s your head right now?
Anxious about what’s coming up?
Worrying about something that already happened?

You know you can’t change it, right?

You have to let it go.

Calm under pressure doesn’t come from ignoring the chaos; it comes from learning to move with it.

There are days when it feels like your brain is running on 47 open tabs, and instead of closing any of them, you just keep switching between windows, hoping the mental clutter will sort itself out. But it doesn’t. It piles up…until you can’t tell what’s urgent, or what can actually wait.

That’s mental overwhelm. And when it happens, your focus drifts.
You find yourself staring at your screen for fifteen, twenty minutes, not working, just staring off into space. Grocery lists. The show you’re watching. The cat’s food bowl.

I’ve been there. More times than I’d like to admit. In a week.

That’s when I know it’s time for a real break. Not a scroll-break or a match-3 game on my phone, but something that resets both my body and my mind. A short walk. Some shoulder rolls. A few deep breaths.

Because mind and body work together. When one gets stuck, the other can help it move again

The Cost of Staying in the Loop

When we ignore the need to pause, hydrate, and reset, our muscles, and our minds, rebel.

The stress → distraction → self-criticism → more stress loop hijacks attention and creative flow.
Overthinking tightens the throat before a voiceover session. Chronic tension leads to burnout and creative paralysis.

As freelancers and creatives, we often confuse busyness with productivity. We chase the next task, the next notification, the next idea, hoping that motion will feel like progress. But overstimulation fractures focus and motivation.

So ask yourself: Am I really being productive… or just busy?

Sometimes what you need most isn’t another hour at your desk — it’s three minutes of box breathing, a glass of water, or spending time in Child’s pose.

Finding Calm Within the Chaos

You can’t control what’s happening around you (deadlines, algorithms, family life, etc.), but you can control how you react to it. That’s real calm under pressure.

Start small. Create space to think. And breathe.

Here are a few ways to move from chaos to clarity:

Pair mindful breathing with gentle movement. Shoulder rolls, neck or arm stretches, or a quick forward fold can bring you back to the present.
Create “stress circuits.” Physical loops of motion. It could be a short walk or a repeated series of mini stretches to break the stress loop and reset focus.
Do a “Guilt Workout.” A workout for people who feel guilty about taking time for self-care. Take a restorative nap. Or something more active. Active recovery for the mind and body helps you recharge.
Declutter your digital space. Journal, tidy your desk, or turn off notifications for thirty minutes. Reclaim your attention.
Practice mindful motion. A walking meditation or mantra-based movement helps you find stillness within motion, not apart from it.

Let’s be honest: the chaos never really stops. If you wait for calm before you start, you’ll never start.

When panic hits, keep breathing. Keep moving. The pieces will fall back into place. And you’ll feel better, and clearer, as you get unstuck and begin moving forward again.

If this resonated, listen to the full Freelance Fitness episode, “Quieting the Noise: Finding Focus When Your Brain Won’t.”
It’s ten minutes of movement, mindset, and calm in the middle of your workday.

Back in the Game: Finding Your Rhythm After a Freelance Break

October 22, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Sometimes Life Forces Us to Pause

I’ll be honest — I’ve had to step away before.
From the gym. From my creative business. From the momentum I’d worked so hard to build.

And if you’re a freelancer, you probably have too.

Maybe it was burnout. Maybe a family emergency. Maybe financial pressure.
Or maybe you just needed a break…and that’s okay.

Because Life Happens.

There’s no shame in pausing. None.

The list of now-successful freelancers who had to take a salaried job at some point is long. Really long.

Here are just a few. Maybe you can relate.

You didn’t fail…you just paused.
And that pause might have been exactly what you needed to rebuild with intention.

You Can’t Rush a Comeback

When I was recording a slow core strength workout for my podcast, it struck me how perfectly it mirrors what it feels like to re-enter the freelance world after a break.
The movements are deliberate. Controlled. Grounded in presence, not speed.

You can’t force your way into flow. You ease into it.

And that’s the mindset freelancers need, too.

Because let’s face it: we tend to beat ourselves up when we lose momentum.
We compare ourselves to others who “kept going.”
We imagine the soreness before we even start.
We anticipate the struggle before we take the first step.

But that’s wasted energy.

Acceptance — real acceptance — doesn’t mean giving up.
It means acknowledging what you can’t control: the market, the algorithm, your health, the unpredictable timing of life stuff.

I once worked in research, and we used to say:

“Your constants aren’t, and your variables won’t.”

In other words: the only constant is change.

Sometimes that means pivoting, adjusting, or even taking a job that isn’t your dream gig, but helps you stabilize for your next chapter.

And that’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.

Start Small, Stay Consistent, Be Kind

So how do you get back into the game?

Start small.
In fitness: one slow, controlled rep.
In freelancing: one updated demo. One email. One message to reconnect with a past client.

Momentum begins with a single action.

Choose consistency over intensity.
You don’t need one massive burst of motivation.
You need small, repeatable habits that stack up, like stretching after every workout instead of waiting until you’re injured.

Stay adaptable.
Maybe your old clients moved on. Maybe your niche evolved.
That’s okay. You’re not starting from zero. You’re starting from experience.

And finally, celebrate your return.
You showed up. That’s huge.

Whether it’s your first cold email in months, or your first creative project after a burnout.

That’s courage.

Acceptance and support don’t make you weaker.
They make your comeback sustainable.

Because you’ve done this before.
And you can do it again.

Over to you:

Have you ever stepped away from freelancing and had to find your rhythm again?
What helped you get back into the game?

Let’s share what real resilience looks like — slow, steady, and sustainable.

For the audio version of this blog with music, fitness and fun, listen to the Freelance Fitness podcast.

Martyrdom: Clients Don’t Care if You Fell on Your Sword to Deliver

October 8, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Let’s talk about martyrdom.
Sounds a little dramatic, right? But in freelancing (and in fitness) it shows up more often than we think. Especially when people broadcast all the sacrifices they’re making to hit deadlines.

Honestly? I don’t think anyone really cares.

Fine. Your loved ones care. But your clients? Not really. They’ve got their own worries and deliverables. Whether you give them a long speech about how you stayed up all night to finish their project, or whether you suffer silently in hopes of some karmic reward, it’s really unlikely that it moves the needle on how they perceive you.

The myth of the overworked freelancer

There’s a common belief that in order to succeed as freelancers we have to prove we work the longest hours, that we’re always available, that we’ll put clients above our own health and family. But let’s be honest: clients don’t hand out brownie points for sacrifice.

No one’s giving you a medal for averaging five hours of sleep. No bonus points for posting selfies of yourself hunched over a laptop at the beach or at the playground while your kids are playing. Some people might click “like,” but they’ll scroll on and forget it a second later.

What clients actually care about is that the file lands in their inbox on time, with quality that meets or exceeds expectations. That’s it.

The cost of falling on your sword

Occasional late nights? They happen. But if working until 4 a.m. becomes your brand, you’re only creating exhaustion.

For freelancers working across time zones (voiceover artists like me know this all too well), it’s tempting to believe you have to be “always on” because it’s always 9 a.m. somewhere. But running on little sleep, skipping meals, or sacrificing family time is not a sustainable long-term strategy. Burnout doesn’t just hurt your health—it hurts your business, your creativity, and your relationships.

Sleep is not optional. Sleep is critical: for recovery, for focus, and for showing up at your best. I tell my teenagers they’ll know they’re real adults when they actually look forward to going to bed. And you know what? They’ll find out I’m right.

Personally, I’ve learned that I need at least 6 hours of sleep to function, and ideally 7-8. If I try to push through with less, I’m not more productive. I’m grouchy, unfocused, and not doing my best work. Clients don’t hire me to be a zombie. They hire me to bring fresh energy and creativity to their projects.

Professionalism ≠ martyrdom

Performative overwork is a trap. If your most productive hours are at midnight, fine. But ask yourself: what message are you sending when you make a show of it?

Many freelancers think “going above and beyond” will wow the client. But often, the client just assumes that level of sacrifice is your baseline…which sets you up for unrealistic expectations.

Look, we’re creative freelancers, not brain surgeons. We don’t need to be available 24/7. What earns repeat business and referrals isn’t suffering, it’s systems. Reliable processes. Clear communication. Consistent delivery.

So go play with your kids. Have dinner with friends. Get some sleep. Post about that if you want to share something. Clients don’t want martyrs. They want partners who can deliver good work over the long haul.

Instead of proving how much you endured, prove how enduring you work.

For music, exercise and business tips, listen to my podcast Freelance Fitness.

From Workshop to Workflow: How to Actually Apply What You’ve Learned

September 24, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Continual education is in our DNA as freelancers.

We sign up for workshops, upgrade software, hire coaches, and attend conferences because we know our industries evolve constantly. Nobody wants to be the dinosaur that goes extinct.

But there’s an overlooked challenge:

How do you integrate this great new knowledge into your workflow?

We’ve all been there. You spend time and money on an amazing class, grab shiny new software, or attend a weekend conference. You come home inspired, buzzing with ideas… and then Monday hits. Client emails are waiting. Projects need attention. Suddenly, “integration” gets shoved to the side of your desk—and forgotten.

Six months later, the guilt sets in.

I can tell you honestly: I attended VO Atlanta last year, and I still haven’t looked at the session recordings. Not one. And yes, I still tell myself I’ll get to them before next year’s conference. I’m equally guilty.

So why does this gap matter?

Learning without practice fades fast. That workshop glow disappears quickly if you don’t put it into action.
New skills only stick when applied. That’s how they become second nature.
Integration builds confidence. Once you’ve used a new tool in real work, you stop second-guessing.
Your investment pays off. Money and time spent only deliver ROI when skills become part of your workflow.

And yet, freelancers are busy. Balancing client work, admin, and growth is messy. Add anxiety into the mix, and the pressure feels even heavier. (Trust me, my brain has gone down the “what if my computer crashes mid-session?” spiral many times.)

The good news? Integration doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some practical steps to bridge the gap between knowing and doing:

Six Steps to Move from Workshop to Workflow

1. Shift the Mindset

Stop thinking of practice as “extra.” Treat it as part of your job. Use a live project as a testing ground, even if you don’t end up using the new tool in the final result.

2. Micro-Practice Beats Marathons

Forget the mythical “free afternoon.” Ten minutes of focused practice adds up. Try “skill sprints”: one feature, one shortcut, one vocal drill. Done.

3. Prioritize and Filter

After any class, pick three takeaways you’ll actually use. Not thirty. Ask: What’s immediately useful? What can wait?

4. Schedule Integration Time

Block 30 minutes a week for an “integration lab.” Protect it like you would a client deadline.

5. Build Accountability

Tell a peer what you’re working on. Track your reps in a journal or app. Visible progress motivates.

6. Extend Yourself Compassion

Struggling with new tools doesn’t mean failure—it means you’re learning. Even partial integration is progress.

The Payoff

When you consistently fold new knowledge into your workflow:

You reduce guilt.
You increase confidence.
You create a stronger, future-proof freelance business.

As I said on the Freelance Fitness podcast:

“Sounds like something you can handle, right? Of course you can. Once you’ve broken it down into little chunks, like this workout, that can fit anywhere in your day. Sky’s the limit.”

ALISON PENTECOST