Meet Corina Lindley

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

Hi Corina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2004, while my husband Chris Lindley was deployed in Iraq, we found a meaningful way to stay connected—by developing a business plan for a gym we hoped to open upon his return. Our vision was to create a space where community could come together through movement. Both of us had formed lasting friendships and transformed our own lives through sports and fitness, and we wanted to offer that same opportunity to others.

Our careers in public health were deeply rewarding, but we missed the personal connection—being directly involved with people and making a tangible difference in their daily lives. With a shared passion for helping others live healthier, more fulfilling lives, we decided to take a leap. Chris brought years of experience working in gyms during college and graduate school, and I had spent years coaching soccer.

We didn’t fully grasp what it would take to build and sustain a successful business— we were young, passionate, and brave enough to try. And that first step laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Endorphin (Qi LLC) has been proudly serving the Denver community since 2007 and Eagle community since 2017. From the beginning, our mission has been to create a positive, inclusive environment where fitness and wellness are not only fun, but also a catalyst for meaningful human connection. What sets us apart is our commitment to building community—not just through group fitness classes, but through the culture of support, compassion, and resilience we’ve fostered over the years.

What also makes Endorphin different is the individuality of our experience. No two classes are the same, and no playlist is either. Every session is locally crafted by our instructors, who know our members personally and bring their unique style, energy, and fitness backgrounds into each workout. We don’t follow a script from a corporate agency—we’re local, we’re raw, and we’re real. Our studios reflect the full spectrum of our community, welcoming people of all ages, fitness levels, and walks of life.

At its peak, Endorphin operated 11 locations and became Denver’s largest locally owned independent fitness studio prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, we’ve partnered with schools, nonprofits, and local organizations to raise funds and awareness for causes that matter. From providing programming for veterans and trauma survivors to directly supporting our own members during personal hardships like illness or loss, our business has always been about more than workouts—it’s about showing up for one another.

After COVID, we worked intentionally to create ownership and leadership opportunities for our long-term staff and instructors, supporting the transition of locations into independently run, locally owned fitness businesses. We’re proud to see so many of our past and present team members go on to grow successful programs—not only in Colorado, but across the country.

One of the most meaningful aspects of our work is the community that forms when people sweat, struggle, and succeed together. That sense of belonging has become even more vital in a post-COVID world. At Endorphin, the friendships and support networks built inside our studios often extend far beyond them—and we believe that is one of the most powerful impacts any business can have.

Economically, we’re proud to have contributed to the Denver metro area through jobs, taxes, and opportunities. At one point, we employed over 140 team members—many of them part-time instructors who found joy and balance in teaching a few classes a week while pursuing other passions. Our team has earned recognition from Denver Legacy Business, 5280, MindBody (including the 2016 National Most Compassionate Studio and Highest Class Rating), Denver’s A-List, and ClassPass Awards, just to name a few.

As business owners, we’ve never had outside investors—our growth has been fueled by reinvesting our own earnings and working full-time in public health careers alongside running Endorphin. Chris is a retired veteran, and I (Corina) am a Latina woman and proud to be part of a family-run business that represents both resilience and diversity. We’ve learned that success requires sacrifice, faith, and a deep sense of purpose—and while it hasn’t been easy, we’ve stayed grounded in our mission to uplift others.

If there’s one thing we want the world to know about Endorphin, it’s that we’re more than just a gym. We’re a family, a movement, and a reflection of the strength that comes from showing up—for your health, your neighbors, and your community.

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?
If you’re visiting our family—or really any of the Endorphin crew—just know you’re getting up early. Like, sunrise or earlier. First stop: a Warrior class. On or off the bike, it’s high energy and guaranteed to leave you with a story to tell when you get home.

After class, we’d grab coffee or breakfast at one of our go-to neighborhood spots near the gym. Then it’s time to get outside. What we do depends on the season and how adventurous our guest is feeling. It might be mountain biking, hiking, skiing, or heading to Red Rocks—either for a killer concert or a sweaty stair workout.

Colorado has so much to offer, so we’d definitely make time to explore a couple of mountain or canyon areas. We usually skip the packed 14ers and go for the lesser-known trails—they’re just as stunning. Somewhere along the way, we’re jumping in a cold river or finding a hot spring to relax in. And if we’re headed up I-70, we’re stopping at Plume for coffee, no question.

If the schedule lines up, we’d make our way to places like Telluride or Crested Butte—both are full of character and adventure. There’s almost always a local race or fitness event happening too, and jumping into one is a fun way to get in on the local vibe.

No set plan for our friends—just a week full of movement, fresh air, good food, and solid company.

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?
There are so many people we’d want to recognize, but first and foremost, our deepest gratitude goes to the incredible community that has grown with us over the years. From the fitness enthusiasts who showed up day after day with energy and commitment, to the dedicated staff who believed in our vision and brought it to life—Endorphin wouldn’t exist without them.

We’re especially thankful to the community that embraced us from the beginning, choosing to improve their lives through fitness, connection, and shared purpose. Since our move to Eagle, a number of amazing individuals have kept the Endorphin spirit alive and thriving—special thanks to Noble family (Scott and Gina) at the Broadway location, the City Park staff, and standouts like Vicky Delvaux, Sam Miller, Nick Spinosa, and Logan Fowler. Their leadership and passion have helped carry our mission forward in powerful ways.

And of course, we owe a huge shoutout to our family—especially our kids—who have not only endured countless fitness experiments and ideas, but also supported us through the many long hours spent at the gym while we balanced our careers in public health. Their love and patience have been the quiet strength behind our journey

Website: https://www.myendorphin.com

Instagram: @endorphin_colorado

Linkedin: @endorphin_colorado