Let's Connect with Cat Smiley...

Welcome to my humans of LinkedIn project. I am a writer and I love people and connecting, so I have created The LinkedIn Connection.?

Every Friday I highlight another up-and-coming professional that I have connected with. You get an in-depth look at their life, lessons they have learned, and what they are doing here on LinkedIn.?

I am having a blast meeting these talented people. I hope you do too!?

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This week I am thrilled to present Cat Smiley.

Cat has one of the most multifaceted and interesting lives of anyone I have met. She's operated her own outdoor fitness company for over 20 years. She started as a personal trainer, moved into boot camps… and ultimately landed upon her dream career - hosting fitness & hiking retreats for women full-time, YEAR ROUND!

Her motivation is simple - she’s passionate about living her best life and helping others do the same. And over the past 12 years, her company has operated over 500+ weeks of retreats, all of which she’s personally led.

I have so enjoyed getting to know her and her story through her fabulous posts on LinkedIn and personal chats. What she has accomplished in her life and business is the stuff others only dream of doing. So let's go!

Who are you??

It’s hard to define who I am, I typically leave that up to others to decide, based on my character not on what I do for work. But for work, I’m an entrepreneur with a small business called Cat Smiley & Co, a premium hiking & fitness retreat company for women age 35+. We do year-round 1-4 month residential retreats to reset health, mind & lifestyle. There are two retreat formats, each in different business locations. In 2023 I’ll be launching 2-day foundational fitness retreats in major Canadian cities, in partnership with the Marriott.??

The Vancouver Island retreat is called Cat Smiley Boot Camp and it’s for 100 lb weight loss, a medical weight loss retreat. The schedule includes daily beach walks, coastal hikes, restorative movement such as yoga and strength, health & fitness education, and personal coaching. Included in the package is an upscale vacation home complete with wholesome West Coast food that each boot camper cooks for themselves. On average, it takes 5.5 months to lose the full 100 lbs, including 2-4 months in house, and 2-3 months remote. There’s a documentary made last year on a client, Anna, following her 100 lb five-month stay at my boot camp retreat.

My second retreat is called Whistler Fitness Vacations - this is my baby. The business I owned from 2008 to 2019. I moved to Vancouver Island in 2020 as I couldn’t run in Whistler due to covid restrictions. But now I’m back in Whistler just to host the retreat and it’s awesome! And I have the added bonus of living on gorgeous Vancouver Island, and traveling to Whistler as a visitor. That’s a new experience for me, and now that I’m here, I’m really glad I don’t live here. It’s a fabulous place to visit for a short time though, and my 27-day retreats are the perfect duration.?

Whistler Fitness Vacations takes you hiking, biking, fitness classes, yoga and kayaking each day. I personally guide each element of the trip, as the retreat host. We stay at the most amazing lodging - the Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler.

Tell me more about your business…

Well the 100-pound weight loss retreat - that’s my boot camp program. For women at a point where they need drastic help achieve a healthy weight safely and confidently. I essentially combined my credentials into one multifaceted program. As a master fitness trainer, hiking guide, nutritionist & certified coach practitioner my combined skills come in handy! Also, as an expert traveler. I’ve traveled internationally as a lifestyle since I was young.?

Who are your customers?

Both fitness retreats - Whistler Fitness Vacations & Cat Smiley Boot Camp - are exclusively for slower-paced women, age 35+. (I lead all the hikes, with routes matched carefully for each customer’s emotional and physical readiness).?

I was thinking this morning about how the Whistler retreat is like an opportunity to ‘live like a millionaire for a month. I mean you get daily housekeeping, doors held open for you, impeccable service and everything is just dreamy. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Oh and complimentary shuttles anywhere in town - a beautiful Lincoln vehicle. It’s amazing to not have to coordinate a company vehicle and staff anymore to shuttle the customers around in. Before the pandemic I had staff, now it’s just me. That’s why I love partnering with the Marriott brand, there is a lot of support from their side which makes the retreat flow really well. Speaking of flow, I’ve been loving the roof-top morning yoga sessions!

But back to your question about who my customers are, I’d say they’re a mix of women who are going through change in their life. Newly widowed, empty nesters, divorce, retirement or recently recovered from a challenging event in their life that motivated them to embark upon an adventurous, healthier next chapter. Or, they’re shaping up for a wedding or milestone birthday, are remote workers, and are generally goal getters who want to take an independent month to get back in shape and go hiking in B.C. with like-minded women.

?Accomplishments

I don’t really like to share these verbally, but they’re on my profile. It sounds cheesy but my greatest achievements are happy customers. Their success is my success. I just did a 140lb weight loss transformation and we achieved that in 7 months. That was amazing.?

As for me, well I was a world cup skier and I’ve been named Canada’s top fitness trainer three times. Definitely was a goal chaser for a few decades but now my goals are more chill.??Mostly hanging with my three amazing dogs, Paco, Kona, and Bear!

But ultimately, beyond my awards and achievements on paper is the person I’ve become. I feel like everyone has a genius zone and mine is in making people feel good about their life and their future -? showing them that there is a way - we just have to find it. As a professional retreat host, my unique service offering is to help people go on to live their best life, long after their time at the retreat.??

Why are you on LinkedIn??

I love sharing and creating content on a social media platform that feels more mature than other platforms. In fact, my network is quickly becoming an integral social connection for me, with advice or perspective, support & encouragement. Entrepreneurship can be isolating at times. Plus, it’s really nice to have people from different industries talk about their jobs. I’ve always been my own boss, or self-employed, so I enjoy the perk of mingling with other career people who are looking for a connection within the business community.?