Helaine Kay, Spinning Instructor, Sits with Butterfly

as Told by Butterfly Co-Founder Bradi Nathan

For so long I defined myself by career rather than the actual person that I was. This made it especially difficult to transition to the title of mom. I didn’t work my !@#$ off on presentations and entertain at all hours with the notion that I’d eventually walk away from it all. And, while the mom title may still not be enough for me, it is certainly all my children imagine. When I was little, I knew that I wanted to become a mom but I didn’t announce at any time that I wanted to become an Advertising Executive. My point is, I am what I always dreamed of becoming regardless of how I define my role.

Helaine Kay also shared a similar title, Advertising Executive. And, while she was good, even great at times, she too left the industry to become a mom. Helaine is the proud mother of three adorable children under the age of eight. Although her kids’ schedules keep her busier than she ever imagined- it is still is not enough for her. Helaine is a certified mom and a certified spinning instructor. Her passion for exercise and wellbeing has led her to a sense of contentment that the advertising industry could never offer. In an exclusive interview with Butterfly, Helaine shares her secrets on balancing children and cycling:

BN: What did you do before you had children?
HK: I worked in the account management side of advertising. My most recent job was running the Ponds Unilever business at Ogilvy as a Partner/Management Supervisor. I started my career in advertising as an intern at Wells Rich Greene over summers and had loved the energy of account management. I always worked on beauty businesses from Oil of Olay to Revlon to Victoria’s Secret and Cover Girl.

BN: Was it difficult to make the decision not to return to corporate after your first child was born?
HK: Yes, not only was I struggling with the financial decision of not returning to work, but emotionally, I had I defined myself by my career for so many years. I was so driven to achieve success in the advertising world and I couldn’t believe that I was so ready to give it up after having a baby.

BN: How supportive was the agency you worked for of your decision to leave?
HK: I think the agency was in total shock when I told them that I was leaving. Ogilvy had been incredibly supportive and wonderful to me during my maternity leave, offering me an unprecedented 6 months off. I felt tremendous guilt when I went into my boss’s office and told him that I was so sorry, but I just couldn’t go back to work. He looked at me dumbfounded and said, “you’re kidding , right – Helaine, you of all people worked so hard to get where you are and you’re just giving it up???” It took all the strength I had to look him in the eye and say, “Yes, I’m willing to give it up temporarily, because I’m NOT willing to miss out on this time with my baby.” I don’t necessarily think the agency was thrilled with me, but I do think that they understood my decision on some level.

BN: What emotions did you wrestle with in leaving an industry you had established yourself in?
HK: When you define yourself by your job for so long, it is so hard to walk away from that distinction even if you aren’t necessarily happy in that job anymore.

BN: What have you done as a mom to ensure that you stay stimulated?
HK: I try to get involved in my kids school as much as possible - volunteering, being a class mom and trying to give back to my community.

BN: At what point did you know that you wanted to become a certified spin instructor?
HK: I had been spinning for years and various instructors over the years had mentioned that I should get certified, but I was never willing to make the commitment to actually do it. After I had my daughter (my third child), I set getting certified as a goal to get myself back in shape and actually 9 months after she was born I achieved my goal.

BN: Where did you go to obtain certification?
HK: I became Mad Dog certified at a New York Sports Club in Manhattan. Mad Dog is the subsidiary of Johnny G - the creator of the spinning phenomenon.

BN: How realistic is it for other women to shift careers after they have children?
HK: I truly think just about anything is possible in life, just as long as you set your mind to it. Having children if anything further reinforces this belief. Just as you teach your children that life is filled with tremendous opportunities, you just need to realize your dreams and set goals, the same idea must also apply to you!

BN: Did you have any reservations about starting a new path?
HK: Of course, I questioned whether I could get certified, if I was in good enough shape, if I could find teaching jobs and lastly if I would even like teaching.

BN: When do you teach and how does that fit around your children’s schedule?
HK: I teach spin on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 and on Tuesday and Thursday’s at noon. I drop my older kids off at school at 8:00 and head to the gym right after drop off to teach my 8:30. The noon class allows me to teach spin and shower off just in time to get my kids off the bus by 2:30pm. World Gym also offers babysitting for my little girl so she is covered when I teach.

BN: Where do you offer classes?
HK: World Gym in Paramus

BN: Have there been any women in your life that have inspired you on your journey as a career woman and mother?
HK: I am constantly inspired by women all around me: working moms, stay at home moms, older woman who are now grandmothers but have achieved so much in so many areas throughout the course of their life.

BN: Additional advice/thoughts??
HK: Try and always set new goals for yourself, both big and small. I have found that if I actually write a goal down, I make a commitment to myself to try and achieve it. Putting the pen to paper is the first step in realizing your dreams.

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