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

Hi Walter, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of Fortitude Fitness has been our unwavering commitment to our mission: “We Build Fortitude for Life.” That mission guides everything we do—from the way we coach, to the community we cultivate, to how we operate as business owners.

We define building fortitude as developing mental and physical strength through consistency, perseverance, and quality movement—with the goal of helping people thrive not just in the gym, but in their everyday lives. Our core values—like “consistency over perfection,” “welcome is a verb,” and “train inside to play outside”—ensure that every person feels seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

We don’t measure success by how fit someone is when they walk in—we measure it by how consistently they show up and put in the work. Progress is built through small steps, and we create a space where people feel like they belong every step of the way. That culture of intentionality, inclusivity, and pride in the details is the foundation of our brand—and it’s what continues to set us apart.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career began with a simple but powerful goal: to help people stay active, do what they love, and live with less pain. That goal led me to physical therapy school at the University of Colorado, and from there I gained experience in a variety of healthcare settings. While I loved working as a physical therapist, I also began to feel the limitations of the traditional healthcare model—often reactive instead of proactive, and too siloed to address people’s health in a truly holistic way.

That realization pushed me in a new direction. I decided to take a leap and open a CrossFit gym with my wife, Lauren Hafner. We started Fortitude Fitness with the mission of addressing health and longevity from the ground up. The gym became a place where I could be part of people’s wellness journeys before injury or chronic pain set in, combining fitness, education, and community in a powerful way.

More recently, I launched Fortitude Physiotherapy, a private PT practice where I can work more directly with clients in a 1:1 setting. The combination of owning a gym, coaching, and practicing physical therapy allows me to meet people where they are and support them in building stronger, healthier lives—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I don’t have to have all the answers. And honestly, that’s been freeing. It’s opened the door to more collaboration—with members, patients, employees, and fellow professionals. I’ve seen firsthand that lasting results come from working together, staying curious, and being willing to grow.

What I hope people take away from my story is this: health isn’t just about avoiding injury—it’s about building a life you want to live, full of movement, purpose, and community. That’s what I’m here to support.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Buena Vista is a small mountain town with stunning natural beauty, big energy, good food, great beer, and a laid-back, tight-knit community that makes you feel like you belong the minute you roll into town. If you love the outdoors, BV is your playground—14,000-ft peaks, world-class whitewater, alpine lakes, climbing, mountain biking—you name it. It’s the kind of place where kids ride bikes through town, friends run into each other on Main Street, and all the business are small business owned by pretty amazing people each with their own stories to tell.

If a friend came to visit, I’d want them to feel it all—the big mountains, cold rivers, strong coffee, and even stronger community. We’d start mornings with coffee at the BV Roastery, maybe grab Berserker burgers at the Buena Viking, sip a margarita or craft beer on the Eddyline Taproom patio, and end with an ice cream cone from Louie’s. Days would be filled with trail runs in the mountains, river surfing at the play park, soaking in Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and catching live music and fancy cocktails at the Surf.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We wouldn’t have a business without the incredible people who have supported us along the way. A huge shoutout to Brian England—a true cornerstone of Fortitude Fitness. From day one, Brian has been there: through the early idea phase, the messy construction days (jackhammering concrete, painting, cleaning, installing—you name it), and now as a coach, mentor, and friend. As a fellow business owner (Brian owns Eddyline Brewery), he’s someone we can call on for anything—from troubleshooting day-to-day challenges to dreaming up big-picture ideas. His presence, wisdom, and generosity have meant the world to us, and we’re endlessly grateful to have him as part of our gym and our lives.

We also want to recognize the continued influence of Best Hour of Their Day as well as the book “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara. Both have inspired us to chase excellence—not just in coaching and fitness, but in how we make people feel. They’ve challenged us to create an experience that goes beyond building strength. We’re building community, and these resources push us to do it with more purpose, heart, and intention every single day.

Website: https://www.fortitudefitnessbv.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortbv/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefortbv

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