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

Hi Amanda, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I first started strength training, I was very sick. I had struggled with binge eating disorder, body dysmorphia, and used exercise as punishment for my secret eating habits my entire life. I would spend late night hours sobbing as I scoured the internet for the latest diet hack or cleanse because I wanted so badly to be “skinny.” The corporate-driven media had convinced me that I was worthless if I wasn’t thin.

Then I started powerlifting.

I fell head-over-heels for the barbell and experienced numerous benefits to both my physical and mental health. I gained confidence. I gained muscle and lost fat. I experienced a shift in mindset from “scarcity” – eat less, be smaller – to “abundance” – eat more, take up space. This shift in perspective allowed me to heal my relationship with food, my body, and exercise.

My partner and I wanted to open a gym that would share these transformative benefits with others. Strength gyms can be intimidating places so we wanted to build a space where people feel comfortable being beginners – to ask questions, learn, and develop their own strength in a welcoming environment with the help of expert guides.

Since I started coaching I have seen clients leave abusive jobs, end toxic relationships, start their own businesses, and learn how to make their own happiness after being introduced to the barbell. These clients are a testament to the fact that you discover what you are truly capable of when you challenge yourself to do hard things. While strength training can be an excellent tool for physical and mental health, it can also help you realize your true worth – and why should you accept anything less?

What should our readers know about your business?
Muscle + Mindset is a different kind of barbell club. While most other strength gyms offer classes, our self-paced training plans allow members to train on their own schedule and at their own level of experience. Our club training programs include daily open coaching hours, similar to office hours, during which members can get help with their technique, receive assistance with exercise instruction, and request any other coaching support they may need. This model makes coaching more affordable for all members, allows coaching support to be tailored to the needs of the individual, and ensures everyone who needs guidance can access an expert coach.

Our business has made many changes along the way. We initially offered classes, open gym, and sauna services but we quickly learned that people were not interested in group fitness classes while citywide mandates still required masking and social distancing. We pivoted to our self-paced club training programs about 6 months after opening our doors. We additionally sold our sauna and secured a team of collaborative subtenants that add greater value to our community.

As our business has grown, we have continued to adapt to the pain points of our members. We installed a fob entry system to allow members 24hr access to our facility, we continue to add to our equipment inventory, and we are currently transitioning our training plans from spreadsheets to a mobile app to meet the increasing demands for coaching support and accessibility.

We are most excited to see our community grow and thrive as more people discover the value and benefits of strength training!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Our favorite spots in Denver are right in our local neighborhood! After a hard workout we love to refuel at Chuey Fu’s, grab a craft brew at Renegade Brewing Co., and stroll along the Santa Fe Art District on First Friday. We enjoy visiting the Molecule Effect for our morning coffee, taking friends hiking in Genesee Park, to see our favorite jazz artists play at Dazzle, and to go dancing at Herb’s. There’s so much to see and do here that the possibilities for a week of activities are endless!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We have to give a big shoutout to our members, without whom we could not have built such an amazing community. Thank you for choosing to make M+M your home and for filling our community with kindness, support, and encouragement!

Website: www.muscleandmindset.com

Instagram: instagram.com/muscle.and.mindset

Facebook: facebook.com/muscleandmindsetdenver

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzr6uoYezwYf2UJZRDUzAMg

Image Credits
Victor Rollins

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