Meet Colleen Conlon | Kettlebell Specialist + Entrepreneur

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

Hi Colleen, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is taking messy action. My brand came about in 2020 due to Covid 19. I was furloughed from my job, I decided this would be my opportunity to change my life, I invested in a group business coaching program, and my life was forever changed! I went from starting my day at 4am to commute into NYC to run around anywhere between 4-7 locations a day, living out of a back pack to come home by 8pm earning 30k per year to moving to Phoenix, working from the comfort of my home, creating more impact and earning 6 figures! Everything has happened because I’ve taken action to move forward. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, and it’s frozen my progress in the past. With everything I do now I value progress over perfection to keep moving my business in the direction I envision in going.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a virtual hardstyle kettlebell coach. Meaning I teach people how to train how to lift relatively heavy kettlebells very powerfully all around the world. I predominately work with woman and use kettlebells as a tool to get into their strongest shape, but more importantly open their eyes to realizes they can trust themselves. The trust the develop between themselves and the bells then translate into trusting themselves in other areas of their lives such as work and/or personal relationships.

I think anyone can teach someone how to lift a weight. Many can teach someone how to swing a kettlebell efficiently, but what sets me apart is the mindset piece. I talk a lot about visualizing yourself being able to achieve great things. The kettlebell happens to be the vehicle we use in sessions to build that visualization muscle, and as it gets stronger my clients see themselves showing up differently for themselves because they start visualizing these alternate realities in their minds.

I’m most excited about the community I’m building and learning about the impact I’m making on individuals because I’m learning that for many of the people who come to me, theirs something bigger we are overcoming together other than becoming stronger physically. I’ve encountered a few clients over the past year alone who have felt absent from their bodies. They’ve felt absent due to physical and sexual assaults. By working with the kettlebells, they’ve been forced to be so present in their bodies because if they aren’t they’ll get hurt, and to see how the kettlebells have improved their relationships with themselves is very special. It’s not to say training with kettlebells is a replacement for therapy, but it’s a type of training I’m realizing can be very therapeutic for people who have had experience like that in the past to move forward.

This past year I hosted a kettlebell competition on my roof. 8 of my female clients flew out from all over the US, met each other for the first time, and a bond was formed unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Right now I’m trying to build upon that in a big way because community is so important and the beauty of creating this virtual business for myself is realizing your community can be anywhere. You aren’t stuck to those in your neighborhood. You can find your tribe anywhere so long as you are open and aware.

Getting to this point has not been easy. I started working in the fitness industry almost 9 years ago. I have had every position: group fitness instructor teaching everything–spin, HIIT, barre, yoga, personal trainer, manager, program design head for fitness apps, lead trainer for fitness apps, For 7 out of those 9 years I thought of myself as a “gym gypsy.” I lived out of a 40lb backpack 6 days a week hustling to go from one gym to the next. When I had the opportunity to pivot and start my own thing that was even harder because creating a business, let alone a virtual business was brand new territory. I’m so glad I invested in myself–hiring the coach, asking for help, being okay with spending money because I love the life I’ve been able to create.

A few lessons I’ve learned are, build it and they will come. Show up on social, even if you think not a lot of folks are watching, your ideal client probably is. Consistency is key.

I want people to know that I am creating a space in the world to build women up to believe they are limitless. To every woman who feels less than, like the outsider, unsure of direction. If she is willing and wanting to change her narrative and believe, “yes SHE can,” there’s a community here just for her to grow into her true self.

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?
Monday-Thursday every meal we are going to Herb Box in Old Town Scottsdale. However on Tuesday night we’re going to Taco Guild for Taco Tuesday AND if we’re feeling fun maybe we’ll head to down town phoenix to Tap That to taste one of their 30 beers on tap! On Friday night we are going to Quiescence at the Farm to have the most incredible farm to table experience–Yes we will splurge and go for the 5 courses! A hike on echo canyon is a must!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to recognize my business coach, Jess Glazer, who also recently moved to Phoenix. The support of my Husband, Tim Facciola. My kettlebell coach, Annie Vo. All of the clients who have invested in working with me.

Website: www.colleenconlon.com

Instagram: @iamcolleenconlon