RVA Affiliate Collective: Podcast

Sandi Hylan is a nutrition coach at Hard House Nutrition (IG: @hardhousenutrition) Sandi is wife to a firefighter and mother to Jack Jack. She started coaching CrossFit in 2016 and made the switch to nutrition coaching in 2019 when she discovered her passion for helping people outside of class. We discuss her start to nutrition coaching (her mom was her first client), the psychology involved, and we bust a few myths that are common in the nutrition space. If you don't follow Sandi on social media, you're missing out. IG: @coachsandi.hylan If you enjoyed listening to this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe/follow. Also available on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1u625ezLeRqqYgJVnwwHqA

We are back! After a brief hiatus, the collective podcast is back and bringing you an episode with Brandi, the owner of Body Arc - RVA's first queer owned, body positive + art focused gym! Body Arc is a new gym in the RVA area that opened up during our hiatus. It is a space for those who believe in building strength, health, and wellness independent of traditional definitions of beauty and health. They strive to embody their values of inclusivity, community, and empowerment in the space they have created. Learn more about Body Arc at https://www.bodyarcrva.com/ Instagram: @body_arc_rva If you enjoyed listening to this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe/follow. Also available on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1u625ezLeRqqYgJVnwwHqA

This week I sit down with Hallie Lifson, the owner of Duramater Therapy. She specializes in Myofascial release and athletic performance and recovery. We learn about how she's helping people from all walks of life, get back to doing what they love and doing it pain free! Hallie has a unique perspective on CrossFit, since she operates in a CrossFit gym (DBG CrossFit) and also coaches and participates in CrossFit classes herself. I had her back on this week to deep dive into recovery and her multi-faceted approach. If you enjoy listening to this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And be sure to visit Hallie at https://duramatertherapy.com/ or drop in to the gym for a class at https://www.dbgcrossfit.com/ If you didn't catch the first episode with Hallie, scroll back to episode 4 for an introduction on Hallie and Myofascial release. If you liked this episode, be sure to leave a review and rating. Also subscribe to our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1u625ezLeRqqYgJVnwwHqA and follow us on instagram @rva_affiliate_collective

This week we sit down with the man behind the meals, Mark with On The Mark Meals. Mark tells us his story from cooking meals out of his home to expanding into his own commercial kitchen and preparing hundreds of meals a week. A business idea that started as just something to do in-between jobs, turned into a thriving business with a full staff. A business born inside a CrossFit gym, now with 16 different drop off locations and a full commercial kitchen. On The Mark Meals is known in the community for feeding busy people who just want their time back. Be sure to give them a try at https://www.onthemarkmeals.com/ and checkout their instagram @onthemarkmeals If you liked this episode, be sure to leave a review and rating. Also subscribe to our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1u625ezLeRqqYgJVnwwHqA and follow us on instagram @rva_affiliate_collective

Happy Holidays! This week we flip the script and I sit down to be interviewed by my brother on his podcast, The Chase Ellis Podcast. I was visiting over the Holidays and he asked to have me on his show to talk about the Collective, CrossFit, fitness, and health in general. It was great sitting on the other side of the table and being an interviewee for a change. If you like hearing the warm sound of my brother's voice, you should check out his podcast and subscribe to his youtube channel for interesting discussions on a range of topics. https://www.youtube.com/chaseellisvoice https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1u625ezLeRqqYgJVnwwHqA instagram.com/rva_affiliate_collective/

Happy Holidays! We've slowed down over the season, but there are big things coming for 2020! This week we sit down with LaNette McKinney of K2 Awards & Apparel. LaNette has been instrumental in many of the branded gym shirts and apparel products in our RVA gyms. A wife, mother, and fresh out of the dental industry, we discuss what it's like to tackle a new profession and how to sink or swim in the face of adversity! We also discuss the value of making connections, networking, and how getting your first pull up is an example of many challenges in life. I met LaNette when I ordered the Collective T-shirts and was impressed with how she gets after her work, life, and her fitness! If you would like to reach out to LaNette you can find her on instagram @k2customtees or by stopping by their showroom K2 Awards and Apparel 4128 Jacque Street Richmond, VA 23230. https://www.k2awards.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1u625ezLeRqqYgJVnwwHqA

This week we sit down with Mandi Renee, co-owner of Shockoe Bottom CrossFit with Ryan Reeves. Mandi also works as an account manager for the gym management software called Triib and brings a unique perspective to her clients and her business. Mandi and I discuss the process of purchasing a gym and the inevitable list of things you don't know until you commit to the business. She shares her thoughts on 6-week challenges and how they can be good and bad for business. She shares her experience on balancing a full time day job, being a co-owner in a business, and being a mother. There's so much more packed into this episode, you just need to listen for yourself! http://www.shockoebottomcrossfit.com/ https://rvaaffiliatecollective.org/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1u625ezLeRqqYgJVnwwHqA

Happy Friday Collective, I'm really excited about this episode with Vincent Vu, the founder of Kinis. We learn about Vincent's journey to the US from Vietnam, and how an injury led to an idea for better footwear. From making samples in his garage, to quitting his daytime job, and traveling to China to work with manufactures day and night to produce his product. Vincent's resiliency enabled him to keep pursuing his vision in spite of multiple failures and production issues along the way. Vincent was kind enough to give me a pair of the Nomad 804s which is like the product Vincent describes in the episode. As a CrossFitter I normally wear the Reebok Nano shoes. so I must say that I was skeptical at first, but I decided to wear them in training and this is my honest review. I'm really enjoying them! I have wider a wider foot and always struggle feeling comfortable in most shoes for long periods of time. With the Nomad 804, I feel my foot naturally spreading out like it's supposed to. I love being in socks. My wife teases me for wearing socks in bed, but hey, It's what I like. So the idea that I can wear a sock that has a sole like grip bonded to the bottom in the gym is fantastic! I can tell you that my arch and ankles have started feeling better during training sessions this week. It takes a little getting used to, so bear in mind when you try them. But I must say that I'm starting to get hooked and wearing them as often as possible in lieu of of shoes. Vincent did not ask me to give this review, but if I try a product and like it, I want to tell others. Head over to the Kinis store in Short Pump Town Center and try them out for yourself during a free fitness class. You can also find them online at Kinis.com And if you like this podcast please rate, review, and subscribe. Shoot me message if there's specific content you would like to hear. I want the community to shape this as much as possible Enjoy the show!

This week I sit down with Hallie Lifson, the owner of Duramater Therapy. She specializes in Myofascial release and athletic performance and recovery. We learn about how she's helping people from all walks of life, get back to doing what they love and doing it pain free! Hallie has a unique perspective on CrossFit, since she operates in a CrossFit gym (DBG CrossFit) and also coaches and participates in CrossFit classes herself. I can't wait to have her back on for another episode so we can deep dive into more recovery topics. If you enjoy listening to this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And be sure to visit Hallie at https://duramatertherapy.com/ or drop in to the gym for a class at https://www.dbgcrossfit.com/

This week on our gym owners series, we catch up with the owner of S3E CrossFit, Matt Bahen. We chat about how he got started, the striking differences between gyms in the area, the value of aerobic capacity, translating military skills to the civilian world, discovering the "why" in what you do, and how important it is to network with other business owners in the area. If you like this episode please rate, share, and subscribe. We would truly appreciate it.

I sit down with Jacob Keller, owner of River City Fit. He opened just 4 months ago and hit the ground running. We talk about how he puts his members first, how weird he can be, and what keeps him up at night.

First episode of the Collective Podcast. This is the start of our business owner series where we interview local business owners and learn from not only their success, but also their mistakes. From garage gym to store front studio. We sit down with Ana of Rio Fitness and learn what it takes to persevere as a business owner.