So, Pam Cauthen was fired from The Firm...

[dixie]

I hadn't thought of it that way Nelly but it does make a lot of sense.

[pedmom]

I agree. While it is sad to me to think that I won't see Pam in any more workouts, I think it is a conflict and can't blame them for letting her go. I'll miss her!

[Sophie]

I thought about the Firm-Gaiam connection before, but to tell the truth, since Gaiam produces a wide variety of videos with yoga/pilates instructors from a number of different organizations and studios, I'm wondering why they didn't see Pam as a further marketing opportunity.

recognized fitness face + diversified yoga experience =>more "traditional" fitness/bodymind crossover. sell! sell! sell!

A friend pointed out to me much earlier that there was a great likelihood of a non-conflict clause in her contract. That seems like the most reasonable explanation to me. But I would have thought that the Gaiam/Firm conjunction would have been beneficial to Pam's increased involvement in yoga.

[Jane P.]

Maybe we should shower Gaiam with a bunch of letters asking for Pam to lead a yoga workout. They might reconsider if they realize she has a base of fan support.

[LynnO]

Originally Posted by Carol K

Allie had her breast enhancement many years ago, long before she gained weight, sometime between 1995 and 1998. It was there in Fat Blaster.

Shows how much I pay attention. I don't care for Allie, so I don't buy the workouts with her in the lead.

[lalavanb]

I wonder if the club management is the same as the video management?

If so, it makes a lot more sense that they would have a non-compete clause in her contract, or exercise such a decision in regards to her teaching.

[nycrican]

Originally Posted by Sophie

I thought about the Firm-Gaiam connection before, but to tell the truth, since Gaiam produces a wide variety of videos with yoga/pilates instructors from a number of different organizations and studios, I'm wondering why they didn't see Pam as a further marketing opportunity.

recognized fitness face + diversified yoga experience =>more "traditional" fitness/bodymind crossover. sell! sell! sell!

A friend pointed out to me much earlier that there was a great likelihood of a non-conflict clause in her contract. That seems like the most reasonable explanation to me. But I would have thought that the Gaiam/Firm conjunction would have been beneficial to Pam's increased involvement in yoga.

Hi Sophie:

On the day that Gaiam bought out the Firm, Pam had just returned from a Yoga conference and she posted about how much she had learned. I immeadiately posted back, that it was so uncanny that she was getting an education in Yoga right now because I thought that she would probably fit into Gaiam future plans perfectely. She never posted a response to my comment.

I guess Pam would have been a real asset to Gaiam but I guess her dream was to open up her own Yoga studio.

Nelly from the Block

[Sophie]

Originally Posted by nycrican

I guess Pam would have been a real asset to Gaiam but I guess her dream was to open up her own Yoga studio.

It's nice she was able to fulfill her dream.

I'm just sayin - if we're speculating, I think a non-conflict clause is the more likely a reason for her parting with the Firm than the Gaiam takeover.

I just don't see why Gaiam would give a rip about her having her own studio, since their big faces - Rodney, Patricia Walden, Natasha Rizopalous, John Friend (way back when) have their own studios and have all been produced by Gaiam (albeit under other names - Yoga Journal, Living Arts, etc, at the time).

[SharonNYC]

Originally Posted by Sophie

I'm just sayin - if we're speculating, I think a non-conflict clause is the more likely a reason for her parting with the Firm than the Gaiam takeover.

I just don't see why Gaiam would give a rip about her having her own studio, since their big faces - Rodney, Patricia Walden, Natasha Rizopalous, John Friend (way back when) have their own studios and have all been produced by Gaiam (albeit under other names - Yoga Journal, Living Arts, etc, at the time).

That was my thought too Sophie. Judging from past history Gaiam wouldn't care about her having her own studio.

[nycrican]

Originally Posted by SharonNYC

That was my thought too Sophie. Judging from past history Gaiam wouldn't care about her having her own studio.

Hi Sophie and Sharon:

I think they may be a little worried since the Firm forum has about 41,000 registered users and they are usually very loyal in following Firm Instructors from one gym to the other and from one video workout to another.

They may fear that Pam will start making up her own Yoga workouts which will then compete with their Yoga workouts. So, therefore keeping Pam on their payroll would create a real conflict of interest.

Nelly from the Block