We had the good fortune of connecting with Autumn & Brandon Ball and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Autumn & Brandon, what do you attribute your success to?
Our success completely relies on the success of our athletes. With endurance coaching, we are asking our athletes to trust us and our process so that they can reach their start line well-trained and ready for their distance goal. When they cross the finish line, especially for the first time, it is such an incredible feeling. Most folks want to share that with everyone. That is how SWET grows!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
SWET welcomes all running and walking abilities, but our FOCUS is beginning to intermediate runners and power-walkers. We are not elites, but we are a motivated group of all ages who support each other and enjoy moving together. We don’t care what your pace is, you are welcome with us. SWET teaches work/recover interval training to our new athletes. We are the only endurance club in Tucson to exclusively coach this method. Alternating working and recovery during your training allows your body to build up to longer periods of work, particularly important for new or returning athletes This allows your body to recover between intervals, ensures your overall workout isn’t too intense, and provides a rest time to efficiently hydrate or take nutrition. Many of our experienced athletes, up to and including our marathon runners, choose to train exclusively using the run/walk method and compete in races using this technique.

Running is a sport that most people have very strong feelings about….you either love it or hate it. We are trying to show folks that there is a way to add running to your life and make it not terrible.

We recently added a power-walking group to our line up for individuals who can’t run, truly don’t want to run, or for those who need a stepping stone into running. We are the only coach led power walking group in Tucson! We focus on coaching race walking skills using the same methodology we use in our running groups.

Being a business owner was not something we ever really aspired to be but having this opportunity to grow SWET has been incredibly rewarding and we are so grateful for our community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Tucson is full of amazing restaurants and incredible outdoor adventures! Here are a few of our favorites!

Places to see:
Sabino Canyon
Desert Musuem
Mt. Lemmon
Madera Canyon

Places to eat/Drink:
Cruda
The Dutch
Delta/Parish
Guadalajara Grill (Prince location)
Arizona Wine Collective
Ermano’s
Rollies

Maybe take in a Tipsy Picasso class and check out all the amazing murals around downtown!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We would not be where we are today if it weren’t for Jeanne and Pete Snell. They gave us this opportunity to take over Southwest Endurance Training (SWET) and continue on with what they started.

Our volunteer coaches help make us special. The connections they make with our athletes are incredible.

And, finally, SWET would not be what is today without the amazing runners and walkers that are a part of our community. They are the ones to make our groups so welcoming and inclusive for all!

Website: www.SWET.run

Instagram: @swendurancetraining

Facebook: @Southwest Endurance Training

Image Credits
@wolguin @Goatagrapher

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.