Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Adam.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
At a young age, I started exercising with the sole purpose to change my body. I thought it was only by pushing your limits to the max every single time that you get results. The only results that mattered to me had to do with my physical appearance. It wasn’t until a major back injury in my mid-twenties left me unable to walk more than short distances that I was forced to focus on healing my body rather than trying to change it. I could no longer push myself in exercise, even if I tried. When I was told I would need to get back surgery, I was serendipitously introduced to barre classes. Not only did this start me on a journey to ultimately healing my back without surgery, but little did I know that it was the start of a much more profound journey inward. One where I would find my voice for the first time after a lot of trauma and where I came to understand that the results that matter most come from within… and when you focus there first, everything else falls into place.
After starting my barre teaching career in San Francisco, I quickly realized it was my life’s passion to guide people into connection with their bodies. I moved back to San Diego (where I am originally from) to open my first franchise barre studio in Little Italy in 2012. After the pandemic forced me to close my brick & mortar studio, I created my own brand, Kinnect Fitness, using my expertise in barre to create a practice of movement not just in body but in mind and soul. We move to get strong, but we also move to make ourselves more whole. We move to clear our minds and crack our hearts open, all with the help of fun music, contagious energy, and an amazing community of kind, supportive people.
We believe “the more whole we are, the more whole we make the world.”
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing happened smoothly, lol. I feel like I have lived the full entrepreneurial life of truly putting your blood, sweat, and (so many) tears into making a living from your passion! I started with no experience in business and not a single penny in the bank. I went into extreme financial debt and even more extreme self-doubt many times. I was forced to close my first studio location due to extreme rent hikes, which started a two-year journey of renting rooms in apartment complexes and gyms in order to keep my business alive and give my community a place to continue moving while I searched for our new home. My son was only six days old when we put him in a car seat to finally drive to the grand opening of our brand-new studio space two years later! Just one year after that, almost exactly, the pandemic hit. I did all the instant pivoting and long-term pivoting that we all did to make it through, but after the first year, it became clear that I would not be able to sustain my physical studio space any longer.
I had to do a lot of soul searching in that moment and decide if I wanted to basically start all over again, and rebrand, and completely change my business model, or if it was time to throw in the towel. A lot of tears were shed, and there was a lot of grieving over what was, but there was no question in my mind that what my community and I had built was more than worth fighting for over and over again, and… Kinnect Fitness was born!!!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Kinnect Fitness is my new brand after almost ten years as a franchise!!! We are a virtual + outdoor fitness community that believes, “The more whole we are, the more whole we make the world.” We move in order to create strength, space, and Kinnection in not only our bodies but our minds, hearts, and souls. Our name comes from a combo of kinisi (motion in body, mind, soul), kinetic energy (the energy of movement), kin (people), and connection (the essence of life).
Our classes are barre-inspired and include muscle strengthening/toning, stretching, cardio, meditation, and so much fun! We have a passion for alignment in order to keep you safe and moving no matter your fitness history or any injuries or sensitivities you might have, but also because proper alignment gives you a much more efficient and effective workout.
What sets us apart from most is that we believe movement is a gift and should feel good and be fun! Exercise should never feel like punishment or a chore. EveryBODY feels welcome, and we guide you to honor your body in every class by staying Kinnected to it. You are taught to use modifications when needed and to push your body to new levels on the days it feels natural and good to do so.
I am most proud of our community!!! Every single member we have becomes an integral, important addition to the sense of support, kindness, encouragement, and overall fun we have together. We take your wellness seriously, but we do not take life too seriously; we like to have a ton of fun!!!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my most favorite memories is my brothers and I playing tag with our pet peacock! Before moving to Coronado in fourth grade, we lived on an avocado farm in Escondido and had a ton of space for lots of pets. Our pet peacock’s name was Teddy, and he used to chase us around the car in circles until he would finally figure it out and run under the car to get us! I remember laughing so hard when he would pop up and surprise us. I have no idea if this only happened once or several times because I was really little, but the joy it put in my heart is worth a thousand times!
Pricing:
- One Week FREE Trial for Membership
- Different Membership Tiers (Virtual vs. All Access)
- Virtual Drop-In: $15
- In-Person/Outdoor Drop-In: $25
- 5/10 Packs available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kinnectwithus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinnectwithus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KinnectWithUs
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kinnect-fitness-san-diego
