The Ultimate Fitness App Wello Says “No Excuses, Just Results”

As I have stated time and time again, the life of an entrepreneur is a hectic one. Days are often long and nights are even longer. The startup lifestyle can quickly become an unhealthy one.  Fast food and sugar-heavy caffeine drinks become the norm (especially around our office!  Town Topic is right down the street for cryin' out loud!). Unless you have the metabolism of a 13-year-old, your waistline may expand without you even noticing. Many entrepreneurs fall victim to this and know that they need to live better.  But we all tend to hide behind excuses like we don’t have the time, energy or money to do anything about it.  But the truth of the matter is...we do!

If this sounds like you or someone you might know, there is now a solution to the problem (as with most problems in life, oftentimes they can be solved with the development of a new product or service!!).  It’s time to stop making excuses. New startup fitness provider Wello, which uses video chat to allow anyone to get personalized training sessions online, may be the answer to any entrepreneur’s fitness prayers!  

Much like Hitch Fit, the service I use here in Kansas City, Wello has launched a marketplace that connects personal trainers with potential clients by using two-way video chat.  This feature enables anyone to get training sessions at their convenience. A user just needs a laptop, web connection and webcam, and they can begin scheduling and taking personal fitness classes. People can work out at home or the office without having to step outside. And since there’s another person on the other line, there’s no chance quitting early!!

Wello has a wide range of exercise disciplines to choose from including yoga, Pilates, martial arts and strength training. Once users determine what type of exercise they want to take part in, Wello can connect them with trainers who fit their personal schedule and exercise style.  As we all know, some prefer a laid-back coach while others need the drill sergeant-type motivation.  Users can also choose between 25-, 40- and 55-minute sessions, depending on how much time they have. Once booked, users will receive a link to log in to their one-on-one training session.

For personal trainers, Wello provides a new revenue stream that does away with the hassles that come from booking sessions through gyms. Trainers can schedule sessions in their spare time and since local gyms aren’t taking a cut, they’re likely making a lot more per session than they would have otherwise. Personal trainers are also open to a potentially wider customer base.  In fact, Wello has recruited trainers from major cities, but also from less-populated areas where the potential customer base might be limited.

So far, Wello has signed up more than 150 trainers and has a backlog of others to evaluate. The startup evaluates each fitness professional for certifications, then puts them through a training session and has them provide a session for a Wello employee, who evaluates them before adding them to the system.
Wello was founded by Ann Scott Plante and Leslie Silverglide, who met at Stanford Business School and bonded over their mutual love of fitness.

Not only is Wello an awesome app to download for your fitness regimen, but it also has grounds for a very successful startup business.  We are excited to watch Wello grow over time and become a valuable tool for entrepreneurs who are driven to lead a healthy life.  Why not give it a try?

Kansas City: Share a Bike, Shed a Pound

Something very exciting happened last week in Kansas City—the launch of the KC Bike Share program, KC B-cycle! Picture 90 bikers riding all over downtown KC and along the Missouri River. What a sight for health conscious individuals!

About Bike Share: KC B-cycle

KC B-cycle is a convenient way to get in your workout. With 12 B-cycle stations throughout downtown KC, you can virtually bike from anywhere! You simply check out a bike, ride it around and return it to any B-cycle station. And the first 30 minutes is free! Sounds easy, right? Well, check out www.kansascity.bcycle.com and get cycling!

Why Bike?

Going to lunch with co-workers? Try biking there! Need a break during your hectic workday? Take a bike break! Biking is an excellent workout and it’s eco-friendly, too! The US Environmental Protection Agency says that for every 1 mile pedaled rather than driven, nearly 1 pound of CO² is saved! And in 2010, The Outdoor Foundation found that biking is the second most popular outdoor activity in the US; so why not give it a try?

Biking is healthy, fun and a great way to blow off some steam. And KC B-cycle makes biking around town simple, so why not give it a shot?  Check out a bike and pedal on over to 1800 Baltimore and cowork with us for the day at bizperc!

Can You REALLY Work Out While at Work?

In a recent post by Hitch Fit, the KC fitness models and experts Diana Chaloux and Micah LaCerte say that it is possible to work out at work.  Will you look silly doing it?  Of course.  But does it pay off in the long run?  You betcha.


If you don't have time to work out after work, why not take 15 minutes during your workday and try a few of these exercises? (I made my team at Think Big try all of these out!  Let's see how they did...and check out the blog post from Hitch Fit):


Staying fit is important, but when many have a typical 9-5 job, it can be very tough to find time to get any kind of workout in. As we all know, the benefits of exercise go on and on—they even trail into work life! The increase in blood flow brought on from a quick workout is a great way to get your creative juices flowing and keep your brain productive. These 10 exercises are quick and can be done throughout the day or all at once. Best of all, you don’t have to pay a dime on a gym membership with these exercises and all of them can be done with common objects found around the office…whodda thought!?

1. Chair or Desk Pushups
This movement targets your chest and arms. It will tone them up and fend off the dreaded saggy grandma arm. Do 3 sets, 15 reps at a time.

Our summer associate Max is such a tough guy! 

2. Carpal Tunnel Reliever
This is a great way to relieve stress that can be brought on from typing. Simply stand at your desk with your arm extended and the back of your hand on your desk. Apply light pressure for 15 seconds each arm.

Check out Sara's awesome carpal tunnel reliever! 

3. Seated Leg Extension
While in your chair, extend one leg and hold for 30 seconds at a time alternate legs. Do 3 sets of each.

Mariah shows us seated leg extension. 

4. Chair or Desk Dips
This is great for shoulders, triceps and your back. Just like the pushups, do 3 sets, 15 reps at a time.

Think Big's research analyst Hai Chen is a dip master!

5. Planks
They are fantastic for your core and if done correctly, planks can yield you some pretty stellar abs. Lay in plank position for 30 seconds at a time. Do 3 sets.

Summer associate Nick Rossin--nice plank! 

6. Reverse Standing Leg Lift
This move will tone those glutes (so get ready for tush compliments!). While at your desk, stand on one leg and slowly raise your leg back. Do 10 reps per leg and 3 sets total.

Why not try this one out during a quick stand-up meeting? 

7. Seated Dead Bug
Seated in a chair, extend out all four limbs and hold for 30 sec. Do this three times. You may look silly in the process, but it will help your body look bangin’!

Mariah, once again, being a rockstar.

8. Warrior One Pose
This is a “main stay” in yoga. With your body weight creating resistance, hold this pose for 30 seconds (each side) and do this 3 times.

Nice Warrior One, Mike! 

9. Stairs
This is exactly what it sounds like. Take the stairs!

[ no picture required!]

10. Breathing
End with the simplest exercise of all. Sit on the ground, cross legged, with your hands on your stomach and take deep breathes. Focus on filling your belly with air then use your hands to push your belly back to your spine while exhaling. Do this for 1 minute, 3 times.

Check me out!!  Breathing is my specialty.  

When done daily, these 10 exercises can improve your mind and body. So don’t just sit there and type at your desk all day! Give it a try. You’ll be glad you did. And if not, at least your coworkers will get a good laugh.

Nutrition, Exercise and Sleep: Worth it in the Workplace

A lot of entrepreneurs may know the benefits of nutrition but can’t seem to find the time to fit it into their busy lifestyles.  With long days, little sleep and a lot of eating on-the-go, it can be hard to eat healthy and find the time to workout.  However, nutrition – both exercising and eating well—will help you in the business world!  I’m here to tell you why and what I’ve learned from working with Hitch Fit and their intense nutrition program: 

Increased Productivity

Lean startup entrepreneurs know how precious time can be.  However, it’s really important to take the time to make your own food.  A lot of entrepreneurs would see cooking or preparing food a completely unnecessary and time-consuming task (I used to!).  But keep in mind the way processed, fast food makes you feel later.  It’s really worth it to cook your own meals!

So what have I done to increase my productivity, yet still eat healthy?  I’ve cut back the Lean Cuisines, Town Topic lunch runs and bottles of Ensure in lieu of a homemade, healthier brown rice stir-fry (eggs, chicken, veggies, and spices.  Healthy food can taste good, too!).  I’ve really felt the difference throughout the workday by cooking my own healthy meals and I tend to get more done than when I’ve “saved” the time on eating the unhealthy options.

Creativity Boost

I have been working out with Micah and Diana over at the Hitch Fit gym twice a week in the afternoons (from 12:00pm-1:00pm).  Because I work out in the middle of the workday, I have noticed some pretty crazy improvements to my work style.  Working out helps me focus, so getting that afternoon exercise in really gets my creative juices flowing and prevents me from burning out around 3:00 or 4:00pm.  Working out during the day also helps me reduce stress.  It actually allows me some time to be social with a workout buddy (shout out to Micah LaCerte!).   Let’s face it; it’s a lot healthier than collaborating with a coworker for happy hour later.  When it comes down to it, I’ve found that without this mid-afternoon exercise, my mind is ready to checkout long before it needs to.

Higher Energy Levels

You’re an entrepreneur, so you’re probably not getting as much sleep as you should. You love your job so you work hard and there’s no shame in that (I have fallen victim to the 3:00AM emergency conference call far too many times).  However, that lack of energy is going to catch up to you at some point in the day.  When it does, squeeze in 15 minutes of yoga – find an empty room at the office or if you’ve got a great rooftop space like bizperc, get outside.  Each yoga asana has its own rewards, and there are several poses for boosting your energy when you hit that midday slump.

Just remember: to get healthy you’ve got to think big! The next time you’re craving an in-office snack, grab that apple instead of the candy bar.  Your body…and your company…will thank you for it!

Let the Think Big Fitness Challenge Begin!

If there is one thing that I'm going to need during the revamp of my exercise regimen, it's support.  I'll need support from my friends, support from my family and even support from the people I surround myself with most during the weekday: my employees, partners and coworkers.  


That's one of the reasons that I started the Think Big Fitness Challenge.  I'm proposing that my company goes above and beyond in the world of fitness during the month of April, not only to support me, but to become advocates of the healthy entrepreneur.


So, from April 1st until April 30th, my family, my employees, my coworkers, my partners and even some of our brave coworking space tenants will be taking part in the Think Big Fitness Challenge.  Some of my employees are even going to participate in Ruckus St. Louis on May 5th with me.


Here's how YOU can get involved, too: 

• Set your goal for the month: how much will you work out from April 1 until April 30?  Every 20 minutes of exercise equals 1 point.  One hour workout, therefore, equals 3 points.  The Think Big goal range seems to be between 30 and 80 points (here's a hint: my goal is 50 points this month!).
• Give yourself a handicap if you already work out quite a bit.  For example, Blake Miller, a partner at Think Big Partners, has a -9 point handicap because he is involved with Crossfit.  This will help the workout-aholics challenge themselves, too! 
• Keep track of your points throughout the month.  Be sure to stay on track (and be sure to eat healthy!).
• Check back on this Startup Your Fitness blog for tips, tricks and his inside story. 
• At the end of the month, let us know if you reached your goal by commenting on our blog.  If you did, we will give you a special shout-out and celebrate with you!  

On Friday, I explained to the Think Big team that we were starting a new fitness challenge. 

The Think Big Fitness Challenge has begun!  Our goals have been displayed on the glass of my office--where all of my best ideas are displayed.

Get ready to startup your fitness, entrepreneurs!  

Follow me on Twitter too! @ThinkBigKC