Meet Kelsey Landis | Owner & ACE-Certified Group Fitness Instructor @ S.L.A.M. Sweat Like A Mother Denver

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

Hi Kelsey, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up on a cattle ranch 15 miles north of a tiny mountain park town on the Western Slope of Colorado – Walden to be exact. It’s the “Moose Viewing Capitol” of Colorado, and it’s absolutely beautiful. In the 2010 census, the population was 608. There are zero stoplights, zero fast food restaurants, and often times zero visibility during snow storms. But for a town with so little material things to offer, it sure had a big impact on who I am today.

Perhaps it was the combination of “being raised” on a ranch and “growing up” in a small town that truly shaped my quiet strength, compassionate heart, and empowered mind and body. My parents both worked: my mom as the administrator for the county medical clinic, my dad as a cattle rancher…volunteer firefighter…EMT…resident can-fix-anything mechanic. And these multiple full-time and volunteer positions were on top of the hectic school club and athletic schedules my brother and I had as well. They worked hard, and they still do, not only for their family, but also for their community.

Every few months I would deliver food boxes with my mom to local families in need. I was frequently a passenger in my dad’s truck when he’d stop on icy roads to help travelers in need of a tow out of a snow bank. I would hear my dad leave in the middle of the night to respond to car wrecks and fires. I would help my mom make meals to take to sick friends. For 18+ years I would see my parents show up in countless ways for anyone who needed it. And in turn, when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I witnessed the small-town community return all the support our family had given to them.

Growing up in a small town gave me a fierce desire to show up for my community, wherever that may be with whatever gift I have to give.

Fast forward to me graduating from the University of Denver, marrying my high school sweetheart who happened to have joined the military, working in marketing at two great companies, then moving across the country shortly after having our first child. Still with me? We moved from Colorado to North Carolina just a few months after I had my first baby and just a few months after I decided to stay at home with my baby instead of returning to work.

I left family and every bit of community I knew with a 24 hour drive eastward. It was a lot. And I wouldn’t realize the effect it had on me for a couple years when I was reintroduced to “the village” like I had experienced growing up on a ranch outside Walden, CO.

That village was a badass group of moms who met every morning at a park to work out – like legitimately work out. They were fierce, fast, and strong as hell. And the best part? They were incredibly welcoming, supportive, and the kind of cheerleader every new and veteran mom needs in her corner. That village was my first experience with S.L.A.M. (Sweat Like A Mother). They drew me out from a dark, lonely hole of new motherhood that I didn’t realize I was in. They showed up for me despite barely knowing me. They brought me meals and offered to watch my kids so I could take care of myself. They SHOWED. UP. Exactly the way I remember my parents doing for anyone and everyone where I grew up. They showed up exactly the way I forever want to show up for the moms in any community I become a part of.

I brought S.L.A.M. to the Denver area with the goal of helping at least one mom – showing up in any way I could. If I could help one mom the way I had been helped by SLAM, then I knew I had met my calling. A lot of times my introverted personality gets in the way of my heart’s desire to show up, but with S.L.A.M., I feel empowered and more confident than ever. It allows me to serve and build up mamas in the best way possible – through community, camaraderie, and a killer workout.

S.L.A.M. is a sounding board. It’s a group of moms who have been where a new mom currently is. They’re an ear to listen and a positive push to encourage. There’s zero judgement, because we know mommin’ is HARD no matter what the chosen path. I will bring you meals when you’ve had a baby. I can be your emergency contact on those doctor forms. I want every mom to feel at home with me at S.L.A.M. and that they are worthy of being on the receiving end of support and generosity.

Yes, I love to work out and SWEAT LIKE A MOTHER, but have you seen the way I SHOW UP? That’s the foundation of S.L.A.M., and I got here in the best way possible – by way of parents with huge hearts and helping hands in a small town on the Western Slope of Colorado.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is S.L.A.M. Sweat Like A Mother Denver. I am building a fitness community for women in all stages of motherhood. Our goal is to forge bonds between women as mothers and athletes, because all moms are powerful and capable of so much.

The offering at S.L.A.M. is a 60-minute, comprehensive exercise program that is ALWAYS stroller-friendly and provides a full-body sweat that is challenging yet safe for women of any fitness level and at any stage of motherhood. Instructors specialize in providing a multitude of exercise options for pregnant and postpartum moms. But S.L.A.M. is so much more than a workout, we are a community. Not only do we put on at least one playgroup a month after class for S.L.A.M. kids, but we also host monthly Mom’s Nights Out in addition to runs, field trips, and more. Yes, our workout focuses solely on an hour for mom, but we are welcoming and understanding of what moms need to do to tend to their children during those 60 minutes. Some moms even come without their kids! Having babies is not a requirement to come sweat with us, but know that they are 100% welcome every day. Instructors will even rock and hold babies to allow mamas to finish their reps and sets.

All of this in and of itself sets us apart from others. We offer moms support and community for minds, bodies, and souls. We know that a mom can’t show up after her 6-week postpartum appointment and just jump back into a HIIT bootcamp. We know she needs options so her core can continue to properly heal. We know the greatest gift you can give a mom after she has a baby is a meal, so we organize meal trains for new moms. We know that moms go through enough scrutiny with “bouncing back” (which we do not support that mentality), breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding, etc. and we are here to be the village, not the villain.

S.L.A.M. is here to elevate motherhood in the Denver area. Our goal is to bring moms together and combine fitness with camaraderie – to challenge them and encourage them to become the best versions of themselves, whatever that may look like and feel like for each individual. Whether moms walk or run, bring 5lb weights or 15lb weights; whether they breastfeed or bottle feed; whether they come to go hard for 60 minutes or just to be surrounded by friends – there’s a spot for every mama at S.L.A.M.

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.
Since we just moved back to the Denver area a couple months ago, we are still finding all the new wonderful things as well. Food and views are classic drivers of a good time with me, as well as a solid vibe. A few old favorites and new discoveries I would take a friend to include:

Stanley Marketplace with the best overall vibe
Olde Town Arvada
Coloradough Pizza (we order from them at least once a week) in Aurora
Monk and Mongoose Coffee in DTC
Red Rocks – can’t beat those views and that natural beauty, also a nice taste of thin air is always fun to stimulate the lungs
Crumbl Cookies – sugar cookies of the gods
Denver Zoo and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – kids or no kids, zoos are fun for everyone

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?
I first became a S.L.A.M. instructor under Janet Daly. She deserves ALL the shoutouts as she is not only an incredible, encouraging friend but also the best mentor in all areas of my life – from being a S.L.A.M. boss, a mom, a military spouse, and animal-shaped bread baker extraordinaire. Janet is the queen of showing up, and I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for her.

Website: www.sweatlikeamother.com/denver

Instagram: @s.l.a.m.denver

Facebook: www.facebook.com/slamdenver

Other: email: kelsey@sweatlikeamother.com