Meet Kelley Sinclair | Gym owner, Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Nutrition Coach

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

Hi Kelley, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe the success of Lioness lies in the unique approach we take to women’s fitness! So much of the narrative around working out has been focused on increasing cardio, decreasing calories and pushing yourself to the point of being physically ill. Somehow, in order to get praised for your efforts, you just need to do more, more, more! At Lioness we follow the ‘work smarter, not harder’ mantra, and strength training is a perfect fit! Unfortunately, women have been discouraged from lifting weights for fear of bulking up Arnold Schwarzenegger-style, so they are quite hesitant to increase their resistance levels. They settle on the light weights they have at home and then wonder why they don’t see results. Our goal is to teach women the skills they need to feel confident in the weight room, regardless of age or previous experience. We want them to know they can safely lift heavier weights, so long as they use good form and focus on progressive overload, whether that’s by adding more resistance, reps, range of motion or just using better form. We celebrate their wins, big or small, and are always prepared with modifications along the way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey to this position has been long and wandering. I grew up like most elder millennials with the idea that you go to school, get a degree, get a job and then stay in that job until you retire. However, after 10 years in public education, I knew I was ready for a change. I had no model for this kind of transition, so stay-at-home-mom was the best first stop. During that time, our family spent a glorious sabbatical year living in the mountains with our two small kiddos and when we returned, I wondered if personal training would be a good fit. I had a wonderful mentor in the founder of Lioness and, lucky for me, she was opening a new location and needed trainers! I had to remember how to be a student again, how to learn on the job and, most importantly, how to make mistakes. Our clients were so patient with me as I got my footing and learned how to support them as best I could.

I think what sets me apart is that I’ve been in their shoes. I started as a cardio queen, convinced that weight lifting wasn’t for me. My workout wasn’t good enough unless I also went for a 6 mile run. I beat myself into the ground some days and was never satisfied with the results. I’ve handed my body over to two pregnancies, dealt with body image issues and that feeling of never quite being enough. I see these women at the gym and try to help guide them through to a place where they can be proud of what they have accomplished, regardless of what the world expects or thinks of them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Madison! If I can choose a time of year, it would definitely be in the fall since it’s when our city really turns up the charm. Some of the highlights would include a weekend visit to the farmer’s market (one of the biggest around), a WI Badger sporting event and a slow afternoon at the Memorial Terrace, watching the lake and sipping a beer. Our food travels would probably take us to a local coffee shop (we love Madison Chocolate Company!), delicious Laotian cuisine at Ahan and drinks at our favorite local distillery, State Line. We are also quite fortunate to live near so many segments of the Ice Age Trail so we would spend time out in nature, exploring trails and breathing in the fresh air. We might also take a day trip to the nearby quaint towns of Mount Horeb to see the trolls and state parks or over to the Driftless area to watch the endless miles of trees change colors. Oh, and I can’t forget a visit to Sutter’s Ridge for apple cider donuts, pumpkin picking and the ever-popular apple slingshot!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be here without the help and encouragement of my husband, Dan. After 10 years as a public educator, 3 years as a stay at home mom, and then 6 years as a fitness instructor (with a pandemic mixed in just for fun), I knew I was ready to really dig into this new profession but was terrified of whether or not I could make it work. Dan was my daily cheerleader, offering reassurance and support whether I needed a high five or a shoulder to cry on. He took on all of the family planning and kid duties I had been in charge of for the previous 9 years without batting an eye. Not everyday is rainbows and sunshine, but I know we are a good team and he always has my back.

Website: https://www.lioness-fitness.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelley-sinclair-3a062b283

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

Other: https://linktr.ee/lionessfitnessgym