Meet Gigi Green | Competitive Body Builder & Essential Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gigi Green and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gigi, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
For the past couple years, work life balance has been a struggle for me. I work a full-time job while personal training clients in fitness as my side hustle, as well as training as a competitive body builder. I have had to take breaks from working so much in order to calm my mental and enjoy my life. But that break has always costed me financially. It came down to choosing to better myself or continue to help others better themselves, and each time I selfishly chose me. And each time it was hard to rebuild what I let go of. Last year I took a mental break from training and working out so much and training clients. I traveled, hung out more with family and friends, and just let go and lived my life. But in all of that, I became comfortable and stayed on break for too long that I began to lose my discipline and lose sight of my purpose and what I was building on. I am now at a point whereas I am figuring it all out, making decisions productively, and bringing my purpose back to life. It has been a struggle building back up, but I have come to believe that what is meant for me will come and never pass me by, and what isn’t for me will continue on. It is very important to never loses sight of your life outside of work. You work to be able to live the life that you want. Like they say, “you work to live; not live to work.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In my full-time career, I am titled as an Emergency Communications Specialist, also known as 911 Dispatcher. I have been in this field since 2013 and have grown in my position as a person. No one really thinks about becoming an Emergency Dispatcher; I know that I wasn’t. I ended up in this field by chance. I attended a career fair that was held in my hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana and The Lafayette Parish Communication District was one of the vendors at the fair. I was given a pamphlet and took a chance at filling out an application. The application process was extremely long that I almost forgot that I was in the process. I believe it took just about 6 months for my background check and the entire process to be complete and I get the job. The training process was lengthy but it was needed because this job isn’t for the weak hearted. This job taught me how to separate my personal life from my work life and also made me realize how the world if full of different types of people. Taking the lives of other people home with you on top of any issues of your own that you have can weigh you down extremely, and it is difficult to do this job when you’re unable to separate the lives of everyone else in the city you’re trying to help but can’t because you’re dwelling on a previous call. It can be difficult to let go of without feeling like you don’t care but it is necessary because it is our job to be of service to any one that calls that emergency line. I was and still am almost always in my own little bubble. This was my very first real job outside of rolling on skates at Sonic or working drive thru at Raisin’ Canes. I am proud to be able to be set with a great retirement plan and feel even more amazing to know that I will be retired by 52. I just want people to know that no matter how much love and care you have for someone else, make sure you have an ample amount of love and care for yourself as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My friends and I love to party with the grown and sexy crowd so we’re for sure hitting up brunch in Houston. Friday during the day I would take them to Post Houston. I love the different food venues installed inside Post Houston from African, to southern fried foods, to vegan smoothies, and Asian cuisines and even ice creams and desserts. On the top floor of Post, is beautiful greenery for picture posts and views of the open city of downtown. Between the Almeda strip, Chapman & Kirby, and Grace’s on Kirby on Sundays, we’d have a great time socializing with each other, meeting new people, eating delicious food and enjoying all the libations. Now, all my friends know that I’m a Gym Girl, so you best believe that Saturday morning we’re going the best and livest bootcamp in the city at Level One Fitness Gym. Our bodies will need the detox after a Friday night of living life to the fullest, dancing to the newest jams and just enjoying each other’s company.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to recognize my Grandmother and my Papa. They both have always been there for me and always made sure to let me know that I am loved. One thing for sure they always pushed me to be, is myself. They always pushed my happiness and self satisfaction and wanted me to live out my life in the way that I want to live it. They taught me to be strong but to always have someone to lean on, and that they would always be that someone whenever I needed. It was their permission that I needed to get when I decided to move to Houston. Not that I needed their permission, I wanted their blessing. I never wanted to leave Louisiana because I didn’t want to leave them behind. Not a week went by that I wasn’t at their house. Though neither one of them wanted me to leave, the notion of them instilling in me to always do what Giorgio wants to do was their way of saying go and live your life. We will be here when you get back. And now that I’m here in Houston, every time I want to go home, they’re saying that I better not get on that highway by myself or worry about coming home because they’re not doing anything other than sitting around watching the news lol but I go anyway when I can. It took me to move away for my Papa to verbally tell me that he missed me. He’s not really an emotional man and would never admit to it but now I’m his favorite granddaughter. I mean I always have been anyway!

Instagram: @beyoutifulifit

Facebook: Giorgio “Gigi” Green

Other: Booking link in bio on both Facebook and Instagram

Image Credits
Solomon Ward