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Studio Owner Spotlight: Holly Coltea
Nashville owner Holly Coltea is passionate about whole body health, and she inspires all of us to walk the talk every day. Learn more about Holly in this month’s studio owner spotlight. Here she is, in her own words.
I grew up studying dance, then spent 15 years in NYC working in the corporate world. While I was there, I met one of my best friends, Amy Leclerc. We immediately bonded through our love of whole-body health. We would sneak out of the office and do Bikram or healthy cooking classes; I was so into clean, healthy eating that I even entertained the idea of culinary school.
Fast forward four years. Amy and I had both married, had kids and moved to our respective home towns; she went to Portland and I was in Nashville. Then one day I got a call from her, and she said, “I’ve found this amazing company and I’m going to find a way to be a part of it. It’s got everything you love, the fitness aspect, the cooking aspect, even the dance aspect.” That company was barre3.
Amy encouraged me to open a studio in Nashville, but it didn’t seem feasible. I had a newborn, a 2- and a 4-year-old and a grueling job in advertising. Then she connected me with Pace, the studio owner at barre3 Knoxville. We met at her studio and I instantly fell in love with the beautiful space, the people and the lifestyle. Within hours we agreed to team up on opening a Nashville studio, and we’ve been partners ever since. Pace is truly my barre3 sister; I don’t know what I’d do without her!
As a studio owner, I’ve learned that you’re only as strong as your team—and luckily my team is amazing. We’ve created such a beautiful cyclical relationship of caring for each other—they fill my bucket up every day.
My clients have also taught me a lot. Before I owned this studio, I never realized how much I love helping people achieve wellness. And seeing the incredible results my clients get by committing to the complete barre3 ecosystem keeps me constantly motivated.
The barre3 ecosystem is such a big part of my own life as well. I love the recipes; I’ve made tons of them, and they’re all so delicious and satisfying. I’m with Sadie on the barre3 Chocolate Donut Holes; they save me when I’m craving something sweet. And I’m a huge fan of the Morning Muesili. Another benefit to the recipes is that they’ve taught me how to eat whether I’m out at a restaurant or whipping together a quick meal. Even if I’m not following a recipe, I know to balance my protein, fiber and healthy fats, and I’m set.
While recipes have transformed my diet, the workouts have transformed my body. Before barre3, my weight went up and down. I never felt content with the number on the scale. Now I feel comfortable in my own skin. I’m stronger and healthier than I’ve ever been.
My daughters are learning this lifestyle by example. They know that they have to have a fruit and veggie at every meal, and they’re always helping me out; they even blew up 50 barre3 balls for the studio the other day! I think for them to see me running a business that I’m truly passionate about is so meaningful.
As a family, we really strive to stay active throughout the day. We’re not a big TV or gadgets family; I work hard to create an environment where all the fun is outside and TV isn’t even an option. For instance, over Spring Break we’ll be going to Asheville, North Carolina to hike in the Blue Ridge mountains. To be in such a beautiful place, being active together—to me that’s what family time is all about.
Unplugging is really important to me, especially at the end of the day when I’ve been staring at my laptop all day. I think that’s one of the reasons that I love Sadie’s book, Love Your Lower Body. I can power everything down and still feel connected to her philosophies through the printed word. It’s kind of like my bible, whether I’m making a recipe or explaining to a client why coffee isn’t a good idea.
When I think about how I got to this incredible place, I realize that I’ve been looking for this my whole life—a career that is also my passion. I get to go to a beautiful studio, take a killer class, cook a fabulous meal—and it’s all part of my job! Best of all, I have the flexibility to raise my three children. They say that you can’t choose your passion as your career or it will end up not being your passion anymore. Well, I’m living proof that you can.
Want to turn your passion for barre3 into your dream job? Become a barre3 studio owner. Learn more by filling out the form here.
Photo by Ashley Hylbert
Nashville owner Holly Coltea is passionate about whole body health, and she inspires all of us to walk the talk every day. Learn more about Holly in this month’s studio owner spotlight. Here she is, in her own words.
I grew up studying dance, then spent 15 years in NYC working in the corporate world. While I was there, I met one of my best friends, Amy Leclerc. We immediately bonded through our love of whole-body health. We would sneak out of the office and do Bikram or healthy cooking classes; I was so into clean, healthy eating that I even entertained the idea of culinary school.
Fast forward four years. Amy and I had both married, had kids and moved to our respective home towns; she went to Portland and I was in Nashville. Then one day I got a call from her, and she said, “I’ve found this amazing company and I’m going to find a way to be a part of it. It’s got everything you love, the fitness aspect, the cooking aspect, even the dance aspect.” That company was barre3.
Amy encouraged me to open a studio in Nashville, but it didn’t seem feasible. I had a newborn, a 2- and a 4-year-old and a grueling job in advertising. Then she connected me with Pace, the studio owner at barre3 Knoxville. We met at her studio and I instantly fell in love with the beautiful space, the people and the lifestyle. Within hours we agreed to team up on opening a Nashville studio, and we’ve been partners ever since. Pace is truly my barre3 sister; I don’t know what I’d do without her!
As a studio owner, I’ve learned that you’re only as strong as your team—and luckily my team is amazing. We’ve created such a beautiful cyclical relationship of caring for each other—they fill my bucket up every day.
My clients have also taught me a lot. Before I owned this studio, I never realized how much I love helping people achieve wellness. And seeing the incredible results my clients get by committing to the complete barre3 ecosystem keeps me constantly motivated.
The barre3 ecosystem is such a big part of my own life as well. I love the recipes; I’ve made tons of them, and they’re all so delicious and satisfying. I’m with Sadie on the barre3 Chocolate Donut Holes; they save me when I’m craving something sweet. And I’m a huge fan of the Morning Muesili. Another benefit to the recipes is that they’ve taught me how to eat whether I’m out at a restaurant or whipping together a quick meal. Even if I’m not following a recipe, I know to balance my protein, fiber and healthy fats, and I’m set.
While recipes have transformed my diet, the workouts have transformed my body. Before barre3, my weight went up and down. I never felt content with the number on the scale. Now I feel comfortable in my own skin. I’m stronger and healthier than I’ve ever been.
My daughters are learning this lifestyle by example. They know that they have to have a fruit and veggie at every meal, and they’re always helping me out; they even blew up 50 barre3 balls for the studio the other day! I think for them to see me running a business that I’m truly passionate about is so meaningful.
As a family, we really strive to stay active throughout the day. We’re not a big TV or gadgets family; I work hard to create an environment where all the fun is outside and TV isn’t even an option. For instance, over Spring Break we’ll be going to Asheville, North Carolina to hike in the Blue Ridge mountains. To be in such a beautiful place, being active together—to me that’s what family time is all about.
Unplugging is really important to me, especially at the end of the day when I’ve been staring at my laptop all day. I think that’s one of the reasons that I love Sadie’s book, Love Your Lower Body. I can power everything down and still feel connected to her philosophies through the printed word. It’s kind of like my bible, whether I’m making a recipe or explaining to a client why coffee isn’t a good idea.
When I think about how I got to this incredible place, I realize that I’ve been looking for this my whole life—a career that is also my passion. I get to go to a beautiful studio, take a killer class, cook a fabulous meal—and it’s all part of my job! Best of all, I have the flexibility to raise my three children. They say that you can’t choose your passion as your career or it will end up not being your passion anymore. Well, I’m living proof that you can.
Want to turn your passion for barre3 into your dream job? Become a barre3 studio owner. Learn more by filling out the form here.
Photo by Ashley Hylbert
