Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Matthews.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Coffees and Kettlebells truly started as a silly way to motivate my sister to strength train when she was going through a serious illness that caused her to lose most of her hard-earned muscle. My brother-in-law and I are both trainers, so we used coffee as the bait to convince her to spend an hour or so working out, catching up and sipping coffee. It was cathartic for all of us, and I really think it helped her start to get her feet back under her at a time when she was struggling. I thought there was something special about our concept, so I decided to create an Instagram account around it. My hope is that C&K gives people useful information that can help them be stronger and move better, no matter what their circumstances.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think you’ll find many personal trainers that will tell you that the road has always been smooth for them. Whether you work for a corporate gym (like me, at Equinox Seaport!) or a small boutique gym, you really are responsible for creating your own business. You’ll find yourself getting to the gym at 5:30 or 6am and leaving for the day at 9 or 10pm and then repeating that process 5 more times that week. It’s an industry where you have to be willing to put in the man, or in my case, woman hours in order to get where you want to be. It’s worth it!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Coffees and Kettlebells – what should we know?
I’m known for—you guessed it—kettlebells! I fell in love with kettlebells a few years about because of their versatility as a tool. You’d be hard pressed to find a piece of gym equipment with more potential uses, and I’m determined to do them all! I love how creative I can be with a kettlebell, and I take that creativity and tie it in as much as possible with programming for my clients. My favorite type of client is a curious and driven individual—someone who is aware of their body and they want to see what it’s capable of.
The best part of my job is working with the badass women I train. More specifically, being a small part in helping those badass women achieve the most amazing feats every day. My role as their trainer is to be their trusted guidance, motivator, and often time’s unofficial therapist. Coffees and Kettlebells has become a way for me to extend that role past just clients I see in the gym.
I hope what sets Coffees and Kettlebells apart from the other millions of fitness accounts is its no-bullshit approach. I find myself cringing pretty often on Instagram because everyone and their cousin wants to tell you how to work out to get J-Lo’s butt with absolutely no real information about training safely and effectively. I say get strong first and the butt will follow.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My sisters are always my biggest supporters. Like I said, starting as a trainer isn’t the most glamorous, and there were times when I questioned whether I was moving in the right direction. They helped me remember that I was doing what I love and in the end that will pay dividends—and it has!
Contact Info:
- Email: kellymatthewsfitness@gmail.com
- Instagram: @coffeesandkettlebells
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