Dream Big Series: Emily Nelson of High Fitness (and a giveaway!)

 

I got in contact with Emily when High Fitness was just a baby. I had heard the buzz about this new workout and was impressed that a local mom had started it (with her friend, Amber). I featured High Fitness as part of an article I did for UtahValley360.com about the latest workout crazes, and talked to Emily about getting an instructor at the gym where I teach, Cahoots Fitness.

When I tried High Fitness for the first time, I was literally smiling from ear to ear the entire time because it was so fun and energizing. I was instantly addicted. I have been going to High Fitness for two years. It helped me stay fit during my last pregnancy and I still credit it for breaking my water and putting me into early labor.

I finally met Emily face-to-face at an event earlier this year and developed an instant girl crush on her and her vivacious personality.

I admire this beautiful girl and her go-getter attitude.

 

Quick facts about Emily:

Family: Emily is the youngest of five. She and her husband, Hank, have two little girls, Blakely (6) and Andi (2).

Hometown: Bountiful, UT. She moved back five years ago after a three-year stint in Canada.

 

What are three interesting things/quirks about you?

I hate chewed gum. Can’t look at it or even smell others chewing it. I would rather have someone hand me a booger than a piece of chewed gum.

I graduated from BYU in Broadcast journalism. People think I don’t use my degree, but in reality I feel like I use it everyday when I go to teach I am in front of people and performing and putting on a presentation!

I bite my nails. I know it is the worst habit in the world and gross, but I can’t stop!

 

What’s your favorite dessert?

A chocolate Dunford cake donut. Or a frosting sugar cookie!

 

What’s your favorite book? 

The Selection Series.

 

What’s your favorite place to shop?

Lululemon has my heart and I spend way too much money on and time in their clothes, but if I am shopping for real clothes (what are those again?) I love the style of Madewell. I tend to hover around the sale rack, though.

 

What is you favorite and least-favorite part of motherhood?

My favorite part of motherhood is the unconditional love of a child. I love that they think you hung the moon even when you are messing things up big time. I love going on adventures and being busy, and taking my littles around with me as extra best friends is such a bonus.

My least favorite thing about motherhood are the battles that bring out the
worst in me. My oldest has some sensory issues and cries and fights me with her hair and clothes on a daily basis. It is so hard and it pushes me to my breaking point and brings out my worst, but we are working on ways to make it better for us all.

 

What’s your favorite way to relax after a hard day?

After I teach late classes at night, I like to come home to a quiet house, take a shower and watch Netflix by myself. Sometimes, I like to clean and make sure everything is in order because that calms me (as long as I am alone with no one to mess it up behind me).

 

Describe how “High Fitness” came to be.

My friend Amber and I stayed in contact after I moved back to the states from Canada. We both taught a ton of different fitness formats and would swap ideas and routines. Amber started talking to me about starting our own class that featured the things that we felt were the best parts of a group fitness class but that appealed to the masses more than other classes.

When she first approached me, I literally had just had a baby and panicked about getting out of my comfort zone. But within 6 months, neither of us could deny it was the right path for us. We knew people wanted something more. There were hardcore classes out there like bootcamps that challenged the body, but you kind of dreaded them or they weren’t entertaining. There were millions of dance fitness formats out there that provided fun but complex routines that sometimes intimidated people and took away from the workout because you could barely follow along. We wanted to create a class that was both intense and fun. A class where in one hour, you could work your whole body, push yourself out of your comfort zone and see results, but most importantly have fun and leave with a smile on your face. So, we created the format of HIGH Fitness with its cardio and toning tracks and never looked back.

 

How did you come up with the name “High Fitness?”

I give that credit to Amber—she says the idea came to her out of the sky like a lightening bolt.

 

How do you come up with all of your routines?

Amber and I are very different and have different backgrounds, but when we work together, magic happens. She sends me an idea, I send back tweaks, then we go back and forth until it is perfect. Since we live in different countries, it can be hard and take longer. We love when we get the rare chance to choreograph routines in-person.

 

 

Why do you think it’s important for women to take time to exercise, even when other demands (including kids) get in the way?

Group fitness is my happy place. There is just something about a group of women who are facing different things coming together for different reasons, sweating together, laughing together and leaving as a better version of themselves.

When we take time out of our day to get those endorphins from exercise, we leave as better moms, spouses and friends. As moms, I think we need some sort of outlet or hobby. Why not make it something that helps you be healthier and where you meet other like-minded people along the way? I have made some of my best friends through my classes and I cherish those relationships.

 

What have been the biggest obstacles you’ve faced while creating High Fitness?

I think the biggest obstacle we have faced has been when people we considered good friends became naysayers to what we were doing. It really messes with your head. But then we look at the love and support from so many people and hear stories from people whose lives have been changed because of HIGH fitness and it makes it all worth it.

Another obstacle has been balancing motherhood and starting a business. It has kicked my butt. There’s a lot of mom-guilt associated with running a business and balancing mommy duties. Working to find that balance and do what I feel is right for me and my family has been rough. But I’ve realized that it is my family, and although it may be different from others, we have found what works for us.

 

“Working to find that balance and do what I feel is right for me and my family has been rough. But I’ve realized that it is my family, and although it may be different from others, we have found what works for us.”

 

What have you learned about going into business with a close friend?

We were told going in to this to never go into business with a friend—especially 50/50. But we are two years into this, and I am happy to say that although we’ve faced some hard things, our friendship is stronger than ever. We are more like sisters than friends now.

 

Having the exact same vision and goal for HIGH fitness from the beginning has been crucial for us. When others try and sway us or give us their input, Amber and I are always right on the same page with things.

 

We have also played by the rule of thumb that whoever is more convicted about something is who we go with. Whether it is a move in a routine, dealing with an instructor or a hard business call, it has always proved to work best for us.

 

I also think the fact that we are so different helps us tremendously. We are yin and yang—so different—but we fit perfectly together. We hate being apart in different countries but it has allowed us to be our own person and grow this business in the way that works for us.

 

What advice would you give other women who have dreams in their head but have yet to make them a reality?

 

If you have the passion behind something, go for it. You have to truly believe in what you are doing or the hard times can outweigh the good. Also, make sure you have the support of your spouse and your family, because they will be the ones to keep you going when you are hesitant about what you are doing. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Dream big and go for it. You may have a little to lose, but you have a lot more to gain.

 

“Dream big and go for it. You may have a little to lose, but you have a lot more to gain.”

 

What are your future hopes for High Fitness?

My hope for HIGH fitness is that it will continue to grow to many more areas. But I also hope that as it grows it doesn’t lose what we have created, and that is the community feeling you get when you attend a HIGH class. It is more than a workout. We had a goal of 500 instructors in 2016 and we are well on our way to that. Next stop, 10,000!

When we started this journey, we thought we were just starting a new workout class that people would like. We hoped it would help them get in better shape, or even to fall in love with fitness. What we never expected, and I still cry every time we hear these, are the stories of women overcoming postpartum depression, or younger girls feeling like being strong and healthy is better than being skinny, or my 70-year-old client telling me she hasn’t taken her migraine meds since starting HIGH.

These stories are what keep us going on a daily basis. When I ask myself, “why did I start this? It is so much work!” I get an email from an instructor about how teaching has changed her life, or a comment from a participant about coming out of depression, and it is all worth it and keeps us going to make it a better company.

GIVEAWAY:

Emily is giving away a High Fitness tank and hat as well as a punch pass to her classes ($100 total value!) Head to my Instagram account (@talkwordytome_) to enter. But while you’re here, leave a comment for an extra entry!