Life & Work with Max Barry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Barry.

Hi Max, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I would say my story begins with my decision to go to the University of Florida for college. At the time I made that choice, I was a rower nearing the end of my senior year and talking with universities about rowing in college… thinking that would be my next step to become a Division 1 athlete.

What I did not know was that due to Title IX, Women’s Rowing is recognized as an NCAA-sponsored sport capable of receiving financial aid for its recruits, but not Men’s Rowing, unfortunately. Most of the schools I was in communication with were extremely expensive, so I opted to stay in-state and attend UF.

This is where it gets interesting a friend of mine who was on the rowing team with me knew I chose to forego the athlete in college route and we somehow got on the topic of cheerleading and he ended up daring me to join the team. Long story short, I ended up emailing the coaches at UF to ask if I could be on the cheerleading team. They told me I needed to try out and that I missed the deadline, so I went on my way.

On the first day of classes though, someone on the team quit and they emailed me back saying they needed an extra guy… hoping I would be athletic enough to pick it up with no prior experience. Fast forward four years and I became the captain of the cheer team and it changed me in ways I would never have imagined.

I start with that story because I credit joining the cheer team to a lot of my development as a person, athlete, friend, mentor, etc. I decided to move to Nashville with my cheer partner, Lillian, and neither of us had jobs lined up… only a couple of potential unpaid internship opportunities in the music business. We both decided that Nashville is the place for us though, despite the lack of income.

I moved here in 2017 and worked 2 unpaid internships and waited tables at night to pay my way. I was essentially working 11-12 hours per day, sometimes more. One thing led to another and I ended up working for lululemon as a way to get out of the food & beverage industry. This is where I made many connections in the fitness industry and ultimately this led to my first instructor position with an Atlanta-based brand called Sculpthouse.

I quickly fell in love with instructing and picked up another position with a local cycling studio. In 2019, I decided I wanted to dabble in the corporate tech industry and allow fitness to remain a passion on the side, not my full-time gig. Ever since then, I have worked in tech full time and taught at multiple studios. Currently, you’ll find me at Full Ride Cycling in 12th South and Shed Fitness in East Nashville. In terms of my full-time work, I specialize in account management for an Atlanta-based company called FullStory (a data analytics platform).

Most recently though, I have felt called to pursue my creative passions a little deeper. A friend of mine, Lexy Burke, created a variety show known as Ranch Hands Cowboylesque and asked if I would be interested in auditioning. I had some dance experience growing up because my mother and sister danced professionally, and my cheer background helped of course, but this was absolutely a new experience for me.

Now, it is easily one of my favorite jobs I’ve ever had and I perform twice per week every week.

It’s been a long road and my schedule is definitely full… still working to find a day off in my week, but I wouldn’t change a thing about the path I took to get here. Lots of hardwork and connections with the right people, but I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and excited about all to come!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I indicated a bit about this in the last question, but since moving to Nashville I have held more than one job the entire time.

In the beginning, I was working my unpaid internships in the morning into the early afternoon and then immediately going to the restaurant I worked at and working until 11 pm sometimes midnight. I also might add that I come from a single-parent family where my mother wasn’t always able to financially help me. Everything I have created in Nashville has been through my own hard work and dedication.

When I was working in fitness full time, I would teach upwards of 20 classes per week not to mention the time that goes into curating the experience before it actually takes place. As I took on my corporate roles in hopes of more financial stability, I was faced with the challenge of balancing a full-time role and having enough energy to show up as a fitness instructor in the evenings and on weekends.

That said, finding balance among it all is one of my biggest accomplishments yet also a large work in progress. I’ve made strides towards a healthy and balanced lifestyle while juggling all of my responsibilities, but I understand there are always ways to improve.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently have 4 jobs: FullStory, Full Ride Cycling, Shed Fitness, and Ranch Hands Cowboylesque. FullStory: I am an account manager for the sector of our business that manages our largest logos. Full Ride Cycling: Senior Instructor. Shed Fitness: Instructor/Trainer. Ranch Hands: Performer/Dancer.

I am proud of everything on this list, but I must say I am most proud of Ranch Hands. I have always known myself to be an artist and performer at heart. My grandmother was an artist, my mother a professional dancer and model, my sister an artist, and my other sister also a dancer. I grew up in a single-parent home where the dance was such a strong passion of my mother’s that it absolutely affected me.

Unfortunately, my father wouldn’t let my mom put me into dance classes at a young age, but that did not keep me from wanting to learn. Now, in my adult life… I get to pursue that passion professionally and while I know I missed a lot of time in classes growing up… I am making up for it where I can in my schedule. I take classes with friends I have made through the show and I’m always working to mimic the movements of better dancers.

I’d say what sets me apart from others in this and in all fields is that I truly don’t allow myself to back down from a challenge. In my mind, if I want something… I am the only person that can stand in my way from achieving it. I work as hard as I possibly can no matter my busy schedule. More importantly, though, I just love what I do.

I have so much fun on that stage and I think that is what translates to the audience when they watch.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice to someone looking for a mentor would be to seek out discomfort. Be intentional about putting yourself in front of and around people you admire that are doing the kind of work you want to do or living the life you want to live. It might sound a little odd at first… purposely make yourself uncomfortable, but it’s true and it works.

If you are uncomfortable in the right ways (i.e putting yourself out there, trying new things, reaching out to successful people in the field you’re interested in), then you are likely learning something and changing yourself for the better. Aside from that, I would say that most people are more willing to help than you think.

I know for me I always assume I am a burden to others, but it really is flattering when someone wants and asks for your help or advice… so just go for it.

In my experience, I have learned to live with cautious spontaneity. I am logical, realistic, and calculated in many of my endeavors, but I also understand there is a lot of beauty in the unknown and I want to seek out people that will support me in that approach to life.

Contact Info:

• Email: maxtbarry@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxtbarry/

Image Credits
Marisa Taylor @risaphotography