We recently connected with Kristie Alicea and have shared our conversation below.
Kristie , so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
My strong sense of discipline finds its roots in my early exposure to the world of dance and the arts. Growing up, I learned various dance techniques like ballet, jazz, and tap at a local dance studio. Mastering these disciplines from a young age instilled in me the ability to stay focused, remain motivated, and persevere through challenges. My journey continued at LaGuardia High School in Manhattan, the premier performing arts high school in New York City. Unlike typical high school experiences, admission required an audition, leading to half of my school day dedicated to classical ballet and modern dance along with your traditional subjects like math, science etc. The unique environment at LaGuardia significantly shaped my self-discipline. Early on, I gained a clear vision of my purpose, learning to diligently strive for excellence in my craft each day. This experience taught me the value of persistence, recognizing that mastery often requires time and consistent effort. This foundation in self-discipline has proven invaluable, especially in the realm of business. Running a business demands a reliance on personal discipline; it’s about staying true to your vision, remaining focused, and consistently motivating yourself to show up and give your best effort.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the founder of ABC Fit Collective: a pregnancy and postpartum fitness hub! ABC Fit Collective, offers virtual personal training sessions, an extensive video library housing meticulously crafted pregnancy-safe and postpartum-safe workouts. Complementing this, our self-guided workout programs cater to the distinct stages of your motherhood journey. Co-founded with my life partner, this initiative emerged during the peak of the pandemic, stemming from our existing clients wanting to take strong and active from home. As certified personal trainers and experts in pre+postnatal fitness, we bring a wealth of experience from working with countless women throughout their maternity journeys. ABC Fit Collective has had the honor of assisting TV hosts, international supermodels, Olympic athletes, and everyday champions in their transformative journeys from maternity to motherhood and beyond.
For a peek into our offerings, be sure to explore our social media platforms, where we regularly host complimentary masterclasses, engaging events, invigorating workouts, and much more. Check out our website www.abcfitcollective.com and all social platforms @abcfitcollective
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to appreciate a set of qualities and skills that have significantly shaped my path, namely being a self- starting hard-worker, a risk taker, and lastly being passionate about my work. Early on, I recognized that if my intellectual prowess didn’t necessarily position me as the smartest person in the room, my relentless hard work could certainly bridge that gap. Through the years, I’ve gained wisdom in discerning when to roll up my sleeves and grind hard, and equally important, when to work with strategic finesse.
A crucial piece of advice I’d offer to someone who is early in their journey is to embrace the art of taking risks. You know what they say, the greater the risk, the grander the reward. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, the invaluable lessons I have gained from calculated risks far surpassed just playing it safe.
At the forefront, is an unyielding passion for my work. without genuine passion, burnout looms, and your message loses its resonance. Honestly, my passion for what I do goes way beyond just getting paid, I get genuine satisfaction from the everyday grind, and I can chat about it non-stop. That passion is the heart and soul of ABC Fit Collective, pulling in our clients because they see we’re all about empowering moms with real strength and authenticity.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Two books have left a lasting imprint on my personal and professional growth. The first is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, a story I’ve revisited countless times and still find myself reaching for today. Unlike your typical self-help manual, it weaves a tale of love, dreams, and discovering one’s destiny. The gem of wisdom revolves around staying true to your desires and the incredible power of manifesting.
The second page-turner on my list is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, rooted in ancient Toltec wisdom. This book lays out four agreements for a fulfilling life, with the standout lesson being “don’t take anything personally.” This particular agreement has been a game-changer in my business journey.
Both of these books, although quick reads, truly leaving a lasting impression. They’re not just stories; they’re sources of profound lessons that have influenced me both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abcfitcollective.com
- Instagram: abcfitcollective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCfitcollective
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@abcfitcollective
- Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abcfitcollective?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Jacob Sachs @jakezachsachs BlueSpark Photography
