Meet Brad Kolowich Jr

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brad Kolowich Jr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brad, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Early on in my career, I realized that being the only one in the room can either feel like a disadvantage or become your greatest advantage. It all depends on how you approach it. For me, I’ve always leaned into it. Whether it’s walking into a room filled with industry vet’s, working with A-list clients, or building a brand, I’ve had plenty of moments where I felt different.
What I’ve learned is that effectiveness doesn’t come from trying to blend in. It comes from owning your perspective, your story, and the standards you live by. In fitness, that’s meant setting a higher bar for discipline and consistency. As a pilot, it’s meant staying sharp, precise, and calm under pressure. As a dad and husband, it’s meant modeling those same values for my family so they grow up seeing what it looks like to lead from the front.
When you’re the only one in the room who looks like you, you actually have an opportunity to stand out. People remember the one who raises the bar, who brings a unique perspective, and who adds value in a way no one else can. That’s what I focus on. Being the person who shows up, whether I’m training a client, leading my team, flying into a new city, or sitting at the dinner table with my kids.
At the end of the day, success isn’t about fitting the mold. It’s about setting the standard. And when you live that way, people stop looking at what makes you different and they start respecting what you do.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’ve spent the last two decades building my life’s work around one mission: helping people unlock the best version of themselves. That’s taken a lot of forms: working one-on-one with clients ranging from busy parents to world-class performers, building KoloFit Studios into two premier private training facilities in Atlanta and Lake Oconee, and writing The Bodyweight Blueprint, which gave me the chance to share my philosophy on strength and longevity with a global audience.
What makes this work so special is that it’s deeply personal. Fitness is the entry point, but the real transformation is in confidence, energy, and the ripple effect it creates in someone’s life. Seeing a client step into a stronger, healthier version of themselves never gets old.
Right now, I’m especially energized by an upcoming venture that takes everything I’ve learned and expands it far beyond the walls of a studio. The goal is to bring fitness directly to people in a new and exciting way, whether that’s through large community events, more accessible training opportunities, or merging lifestyle and movement in spaces you wouldn’t normally expect. At its core, it’s about making elite training approachable and inspiring for everyone.
Looking forward, my focus is on scaling that impact and continuing to deliver world-class results for my clients while also building platforms that reach more people, spark healthier communities, and ultimately change how fitness is experienced.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things have shaped my journey more than anything else: discipline, vision, and relationships.

Discipline is the foundation. In fitness, in business, and in life – it’s not about motivation, it’s about showing up and doing the work whether you feel like it or not. That’s how you build consistency, and consistency is what compounds into real results.

Vision has been just as important. From opening KoloFit Studios, to writing The Bodyweight Blueprint, to building new ventures that expand fitness beyond the traditional gym walls. I’ve always had to see the destination before anyone else could. Vision gives you direction, but more importantly, it gives you resilience when the challenges inevitably come.

And then there are relationships. Nothing I’ve done has been alone. Working with some of the world’s most prominent figures, building a team of world-class trainers, and even the support of my wife and kids – relationships have fueled everything. When you invest in people, and they know you genuinely care, the impact multiplies.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this:

Start with discipline. Master the daily habits that move you forward.

Carve out time to step back and think bigger, so you’re not just working hard but working toward something meaningful.

And never forget that people matter more than anything else. Build trust, lead with integrity, and surround yourself with those who raise your standards.

Those three things – discipline, vision, and relationships – will take you further than talent alone ever could.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I’ve always believed you should go all in on your strengths. That doesn’t mean you ignore weaknesses. It means you recognize where your real impact lies and double down there.

In fitness, it’s the same principle I teach my clients. If someone has a natural athletic ability, we build on it and make it world-class instead of spending all our time trying to “fix” every weak point. The weak points matter, but they should never take priority over what makes you great.

That approach has shaped my own career. My strengths have always been discipline, vision, and connecting with people. Those are the things that allowed me to build KoloFit Studios, write The Bodyweight Blueprint, and work with some of the most high-profile clients in the world. I didn’t get there by trying to be average at everything. I got there by sharpening the tools I already had and surrounding myself with people whose strengths complemented mine.

For example, when we expanded KoloFit, I didn’t try to become the best at backend systems or design work. Instead, I focused on leading, creating the vision, and delivering results for our clients and I leaned on a team to handle the areas that weren’t my strengths. That’s what allowed the business to scale without losing quality.

So my advice is this: make your strengths undeniable. Let them create the momentum. Then, put the right people and systems around you to support the areas you’re not as strong in. That’s how you build something sustainable and excellent.

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Image Credits

Fitness Photography: Jason Ellis

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