Meet Carson Pipher

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

Hi Carson, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was 2022 and I was in my third year working as a strength coach at Colorado Mesa University. After years of training in the weight room with me, athletes would message me after graduation and ask for workouts; and that is how Alchemy Training was born.

The company now serves athletes as well as stay at home parents, ranchers, marathon runners, and nurses. In other words, I make workout programs for people who are looking to enhance their workout routine.

The thought process behind the business was to help people who had a need: to help athletes gain access to workout programs.

The name Alchemy comes from one of my favorite books The Alchemist. The book and the company serve as a reminder that life and fitness are about gradual transformation.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As far as career, business, and profession are concerned, I have given myself permission to explore various fields in my 20s. I am encouraging myself to explore different jobs.

Throughout this journey of exploring career paths I have worked as a adjunct professor, a strength and conditioning coach, a personal trainer, a camp counselor, a club basketball coach, a high school basketball coach, a gym manager, a collegiate women’s lacrosse coach, an author, and a business owner/founder of a company.

As I round out my 20s I am starting to have clear answers to some BIG questions: what do I value in a coworker? What hours do I want to work? What population of people do I want to serve? How important is location of where I live? What do I value in a boss?

What work makes me lose track of time? What work do I loath? How much money in enough money? If money did not exist what would I choose to do? What work is fulfilling? What work is fun? Is the work challenging? Does the work need to align with my purpose?

I think that my exploration of these questions and the fact that I am willing and unafraid to jump into something I have never done before is what sets me a part from others. Even more so, I enjoy it. To me, there is something exhilarating about this statement “I just want to see if I can do it.”

When I look back on my life there are recurring examples of me exploring new adventures.

I’ve had tremendous setbacks and failures and learning curves and challenges. I faced, and still face, self-doubt and fear. I have learned, most importantly, that there are fundamental principles that if you abide by them and live up to them, you can do anything.

If you work hard, but more importantly smart.

If you follow through on the things that you say to others, and even more importantly the things that you say to yourself.

If you help people and it is sincere.

If you practice what you preach or rather only preach what you practice.

If you have higher standards for yourself than you do for others.

If you are kind.

If you practice gratitude.

If you share optimism and enthusiasm—you can do anything.

I suppose that is what I want my life, my career, and my brand to represent: you can do anything.

Explore, try a little bit of everything, have fun! I want to empower people to live life fully expressing and exploring themselves as they pursue their dreams.

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.
On my tour of the valley we would spend a summer’s Sunday morning in Palisade enjoying the farmer’s market.

We would float the river on a hot day and end our float with Hot Tomato Pizza in Fruita.

On another day, following a giant Puffer Bellies breakfast, we would enjoy a morning hike in the Colorado National Monument.

We would certainly spend a day hiking the Grand Mesa and reward our endeavors with drinks and food at Trail Life Brewery.

We would likely spend a day in Moab.

We would round out the itinerary with a Taco Party dinner followed by Ramblebine brews and a walk to Los Colonias Amphitheater for a concert.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people to thank, it is tough to know where to begin.

Foremost, I want to thank my parents and my brother from whom I gained the belief that I can do anything I set my mind to.

I want to thank my educators and coaches. From elementary school, to high school, and all the way through college, my teachers and coaches taught me numerous life lessons. They supported me. They held me accountable. They believed in me and they inspired me to impact others in a positive way.

I would like to thank Colorado Mesa University. The university feels like home to me and it is the birthplace of numerous friendships, of mentorships, and of career growth. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given at CMU.

Finally, I thank the students, athletes and clients who have inspired me and who have trusted me to support their endeavors. You do not know how much joy and meaning you bring to my life.

There are so many people deserving of a shoutout so I am going to drop a few more names here: Liz Jachimowicz (web design, book design), friends (Bry, Syd, Piper, Kath, Shanna, …), Karli & Haily (coaches, gym owners, friends), extended family, North Fork Community (where I was raised), and especially Coach Rienks.

Website: https://alchemy-training.com/

Instagram: @alchemywithcarson

Image Credits
Amelia Kinnard