Meet Cree Carrico

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

Hi Cree, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was 13, a doctor called me “fat”. That word followed me for years in my personal life, struggling to see my worth or find a romantic partner, and even in my professional life as an opera singer, where my look didn’t always match the characters I was fit to play.

Fueled by the desire to have a successful career, I lost 100lbs naturally through diet and exercise.

I spent 10 years performing, then in 2020, I lost all my work as a singer. With an abundance of time on my hands, I got curious about how I could help other women take better care of themselves. I got certified as a personal trainer online and as I posted about that success, friends started writing me asking if I’d train them online.

I loved the feeling of helping women feel more confident in their bodies! It’s invigorating to see someone go from “hating” to work out to self motivating at a 5k, or wearing a crop top or body con dress for the first time.

After successfully helping those first online clients develop habits that lead to long lasting lifestyle change, I decided to open the doors to ButtaBeeFitness, where I make fitness fun and help you ditch the diet for good. Online personal training evolved into online group classes (performed from the comfort of your own home), nutrition counseling, and now an app full of on demand fun fitness content!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As someone who lost 100lbs, I know what it takes to do the impossible. I know firsthand what it feels like to not make it up a flight of stairs without needing a break, to not be able to shop at just any store, to tie my sweatshirt around my waist to hide my tummy, and to binge eat an entire pizza in front of the tv. I’ve tried every diet in the book, and I can successfully say that had I continued the endless cycle of yo-yo dieting, I’d never have achieved or maintained my 100lb weightloss.

I’m disinterested in offering clickbait for a quick fix for weight loss because 1) 80% of women who diet gain the weight back and more, and 2) I want women to stop falling prey to the nonsense of making ourselves smaller and instead, focus on making their lives BIGGER. How much more could you do if you had your health to support it?

This is what separates BBF from the rest of the fitness industry. To achieve long lasting lifestyle change, we must focus on developing small habits that compound over time for BIG RESULTS.

I’m extraordinarily proud of taking nearly every one of my clients across the finish line of a 5k. Most believed they couldn’t do it, but once they committed, showed up for themselves, and proved themselves wrong, they were invincible. This event in particular led to successes in their personal lives as well, leveling up at work, in relationships, and setting examples for their children.

Starting a business is no small feat, especially as a solo-prenuer. I’ve had to learn how to build websites, set up contracts, payment systems, email messaging and more. The greatest challenge though, has been setting boundaries around my time and energy. I am a caretaker with a big heart who wants the absolute best for my clients. There was a time when I found myself undervaluing my time, and expending all my energy finding solutions to each of their problems at any time of day. Thanks to several business coaches, spiritual guides, and self help books, I’ve been able to create a system that keeps my loving heart at the core of my coaching without being overextended emotionally.

My greatest advice in my health journey? Practice SELF CARE! Choosing the next weight loss fat will keep you miserable for life. You will be stuck in the same cycle of shame, eliminating entire food groups, punishing yourself with movement you “hate”, failing at them both, then starting again on Monday.

When I stopped that cycle and started logging small daily acts of self care, my life changed for good. For me, it was drinking more water, eating delicious nutritious and colorful foods, practicing joyful movement, reading a book, and taking a bubble bath. Consider this…if you can’t drink enough water consistently, what makes you think you can go to the gym 5x/week from 0? What can you add to your diet instead of subtract? We’re talking rainbow veggies and fresh proteins! What movement do you enjoy doing? At BBF, we love dance cardio, but it can be anything that sparks joy in you. What are you curious about? Start asking WHY these fad diets work temporarily or paying attention to your own bodies cues. And what small thing can you do daily that’s just for you? Self care isn’t only for when we’re maxed out and in need of that massage. It can be practiced daily! When we show up for ourselves consistently, and with love, you will be guaranteed lifestyle change.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Northern Colorado, so I’d plan a day in charming Fort Collins. I’d start with a hike through Horsetooth Reservoir. Then I’d head over to Ginger + Baker for a delicious lunch (and maybe even a cooking class), followed by shopping in OldTown. My personal favorite is ‘Wear it again Sam’, a fabulous vintage store with treasures galore. I’m also a big fan of The Hot Sauce Realm for vinyl, hot sauce, and vintage! They often have swing dancing in Old Town Square where you could rock your new vintage look, then finish the night with a brownie from Ben & Jerry’s.

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?
My first personal trainer, Wendy Hopkins. I remember the day I saw her in the gym for the first time. She was GORGEOUS and GLOWING. She may as well have been Wonder Woman. She showed up for me in ways that go beyond building muscles. She was a partner in my journey, adjusting workouts to what I needed in my life, offering love and support during the challenging bits, and even jogged alongside me as I went from “hating running” to jogging around my college campus. Her love and friendship made me feel safe in an industry that often encourages shame. Because of her, I believe I am the coach I am today.

Website: https://www.buttabeefitness.com

Instagram: @buttabeefit

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cree-carrico-buttabeefitness/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMtufkYykbAf2lA2O25WfYA