We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Collier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
For decades I struggled with my mental health, and full blown eating disorders. I was so wrapped up in the damaging idea that we have ALL been taught since childhood…that as women we have to eat less, cardio our butts off, be afraid of practically all foods, never lift a weight in fear of getting bulky, take up less space in the world, and always strive to shrink ourselves. I had been conditioned to accept that I’d be spending the rest of my life extreme dieting and starving just to feel valuable, and I didn’t even think twice about it! Always chasing to weigh 5-10 lbs less. We practically come out of the womb doing cleanses and on an elliptical! And one day I realized, this was the source of my anxiety and depression. I call it my “diet depression” because it was keeping me playing small, never feeling ENOUGH to achieve anything, worthy or strong in who I was. We have all been duped into believing that skinny = happy and successful! I personally never had a strong female role model in my life growing up pouring into me and teaching me that I was a gift on this earth and that I was so much more than a body that only deserved to be skinny. Teaching me that I was powerful beyond measure, and that my success in life had zero correlation to my body. I struggled for so long to understand what my purpose in the world was. I struggled with feeling so freaking empty every day that I woke up and not seeing a future path for me. But, I knew there was one. I knew I was meant to do something important and it was just eating me up inside! And then I put two and two together. My life is my gift to the world! I realized I was meant to go through these experiences so that I can be here now, to radically change as many women’s lives as possible. My past wasn’t all for nothing, it was perfectly created for me. I wanted to be for other ladies, the person that I never had. So…that is who I have set out to be for women in this world who felt the same ways I did. And I say world, because I literally work with clients globally! My ideal client is me 10 years ago, when I was so lost, confused and desperate to change myself. But, coaches like me didn’t exist back then! Becoming an entrepreneur 2 years ago and starting my own business, was the pinnacle of me stepping into my strength. But, I would never have been able to come as far as I have come had I not first become so passionate about my health and fitness and gone through my own wellness journey. I wholeheartedly believe that the women who are most successful in their business are the ones who have optimized their body’s heath and energy. Your body is your temple, and if your body, your energy, your relationship to food, your relationship to YOURSELF is holding you back in any way… then it is going to be extremely hard to completely step into your strength as an entrepreneur and business owner as well. So, my business may be only 2 years old…but it has taken my life time to arrive here. My fall, my rise, my transformation, and then my realization and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A whole week? I’d make this my DREAM WEEK. Working out would be a MUST. Being my best friend, she would be as active as I am and would enjoy the same workouts I do. My favorite commercial gym that I frequent the most is one of the Trophy Fitness locations around Dallas. We’d also join a Crossfit style workout or two at Archon Strength and Fitness, and most likely toss around some barbells on the weekend. We’d also get outside and go for walks on the Katy Trail, and spend an hour on White Rock Lake with a stand up paddle board. We’d grab mambo taxis at taco diner and hang out on the patio in amazing weather. Most likely from there hop on the trolley for a ride through down town. I’d take her to the DMA, walk over to Klyde Warren, grab a bite at a food truck, hop back on and then hop off at the Rustic, another favorite patio of mine! Bottomless pizza at Deluca Gaucho, sipping on Caipirinhas. Snoballs at Ruby’s on a hot Saturday. Sunday brunch is usually my favorite on Greenvile Ave, McKinney Ave, or in the Harwood district. While in the Harwood district we’d visit the Samurai Museum, and grab a scooter to take us to the Grove for some lounge time in a hammock and boozie slushies. At some point catch a Dallas Stars game at the American Airlines center. Head to Reunion tower Geodeck at sunset. Get our two-step on at Cowboys Red River. And as lame as it sounds, I love going to the movies!

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?
I quote possibly would not be here if it were not for two people in my life. First, would be my “boss” (though he’d label himself my friend first) since 2014, Ryan Freeman, the owner of Fit Supply, LLC. My full time job of my dreams has been designing and building commercial fitness facilities, and selling commercial fitness equipment. The greatest job, and greatest company I could have ever found myself in. He started his company from his garage 15 years ago, and working so closely with him over the years I have had a front row seat to running a business, nurturing relationships, networking, and connecting with clients on a personal level. I always say he planted the entrepreneur seed in my shy, and unconfident self. That career has allowed me the financial opportunity to start a “side gig” of my choice, which has turned in to so much more than just a side gig. Something that I loved and was so passionate about, in fact he encouraged it! While working for Fit Supply, I’ve always been encouraged to chase other things, volunteer my time, travel, learn and grow.  The second person I have to recognize is Cody McBroom, of the Tailored Coaching Method (at the time Boom Boom Performance). I had been following Cody on social media for quite some time, and when the idea to become a nutrition coach originally came to me I began brainstorming what company already in existence I would want to work for. What brilliant, and already successful coach in the space did I trust and would want to work under/be mentored by. He was the first person that came to mind and so I reached out to him. I told him I wanted to work for him and asked if he was hiring. He was not….but he asked why I didn’t just start my own business and work for myself? The thought that I could actually do such a thing had never crossed my mind. I only ever assumed I would work for someone else. I whole heartedly believed that I did not posses not only the knowledge, skills, confidence but also the balls to “START MY OWN BUSINESS!?” He offered to mentor me and teach me every step of the way to do so, so I took him up on his offer. The very next day I was taking on clients and my life has never been the same since! If he hadn’t turned me down and said “no”, and initially disappointed me, but yet pushed me out of my comfort zone, I never would have done so myself.

Website: www.kellycolliernutrition.com
Instagram: @willsquatforpizza
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kellycolliernutrition
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC03xkLKMQVaKVku0KsciwmA/videos

Image Credits
Zahira Kemp Leo Lemons

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