Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Ekdahl.
Kathy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For many years I worked in medicine as a researcher and clinical ultrasonographer for a vascular surgeon. I primary worked with sick people… patients who waited too long to take care of themselves and were often facing surgery for vascular disease. As a high school and college athlete, I knew the benefits of exercise, so this mindset was a challenge for me to understand. There must be a different way! At this same time, I began to teach fitness classes to engage with a healthier more optimistic outcome. Within 4 years, I became the co-owner of a woman’s gym with 3 of my fellow fitness instructors and quit my job in healthcare. We were true “female entrepreneurs”. We grew a failing business by 300% and created a gym culture that is still rare in today’s fitness world. It was the heyday of aerobics and we road that great momentum for close to a decade. We made very little money over the 10 years we owned the business, (often a failing of women business owners) but being able to change people’s lives and connect with women of all ages and shapes was a gift that kept on giving. Good karma. I still see many of my previous members in my local community and enjoy sharing stories of “the good ole days”.
After selling the gym, I went into business for myself as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. Because of the 10 years of gym ownership, I had a reputation that preceded me, and the transition to solo-prenuer was easy. In addition to making personal training my career, being responsible for my own schedule allowed me to also pursue another passion- women’s athletics. I coached and refereed high school sports for 17 years. It was such a gift to spend time with young women striving to be their best.
I love working for myself. I have learned to weather the slow times and the busy times, trusting that hard work and giving back to my community would generate business. And it has. For everything you give, you get back 10 fold. I have an abundance mentality. I have clients who have been with me for 7-8 years! I recently heard from a client I trained 15 years ago. At that time, she was recovering from leukemia and was struggling with a recent diagnosis of MS. Still going strong, she decided to contact me again and we are now training together. Luckily, I am much more educated than 15 years ago. And this is a KEY to being a successful entrepreneur, especially in my field. Never stop learning. Keep a beginner’s mindset and believe in abundance.
Has it been a smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges as an entrepreneur is balancing marketing and promotion efforts with training hours. I do not get paid for off training hours, and yet I must continue with marketing and promotion to keep my business humming along. An additional challenge is burn out from working 1-on-1 with the public for over 30 years. It is important for those working in the public to take time for self-care and take time off to recharge. One cannot give give give without self-care.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kathy is a 30 year veteran of the fitness industry and owner of Personal Best Personal Training since 2001. Kathy trains fitness enthusiasts of all backgrounds, from beginner to elite athletes. She specializes in golf fitness training, at home workouts and strength training for women. Kathy was designated as one of Life Fitness’ “Top 10 Trainers” in 2011, Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the year in 2013, and recently was recognized as one of the top 25 Personal Training Bloggers for 2018. Contact Kathy today for a free consult and begin your journey to better health!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Personal Best has a studio in Hudson, Massachusetts, and travels to client’s homes in surrounding towns within 25 minutes of Hudson.
Pricing:
- I charge $85/hour to travel to a client’s home, with upcharges for distance over 2o minutes or for group training
- I charge $75/hour to see clients at my home studio, and can do 45 minute appointments to accomodate my client’s schedules and price points.
- Group Training is available at very reasonable costs and is custom to the venue and number of clients.
Contact Info:
- Address: 28 Marlboro Street Hudson MA 01749
- Website: www.personalbestpersonaltraining.com
- Phone: 978-562-0377
- Email: kathy@personalbestpersonaltraining.com
- Instagram: ekdahlkathy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathysPersonalBestPersonalTraining/
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
