We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shad Olenslager. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shad below.
Hi Shad , great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
I didn’t develop my ability to take risks overnight—it was built through experience, setbacks, and a decision to stop playing it safe with my own potential. For a long time, comfort felt like security, but comfort also kept me stuck. I reached a point where I realized that avoiding risk was actually the biggest risk of all.
My background in sports taught me early that growth only happens when you step into discomfort. Competing, training, and pushing limits showed me that progress requires commitment and the willingness to fail publicly before you succeed. That mindset carried over into my professional life.
As I got older, I also learned that calculated risks—when paired with preparation and discipline—create opportunities that routine never will. Each business I started required a leap of faith, but it wasn’t blind faith. I educated myself, surrounded myself with people who challenged me, and trusted the work ethic I had built over years of showing up when things were hard.
Most importantly, I developed my ability to take risks by betting on myself. Once I proved to myself that I could recover, adapt, and learn from setbacks, fear lost its control. Risk stopped feeling reckless and started feeling necessary—because every meaningful change in my life came from a moment where I chose courage over comfort.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At my core, what I do is help people feel confident in their bodies and capable in their lives. My work sits at the intersection of wellness, performance, and recovery. Through my businesses, I focus on creating accessible solutions that support everyday people—whether that’s improving their nutrition, accelerating recovery, or helping them feel more comfortable in their own skin.
What excites me most is the transformation I get to witness. It’s not just physical change—it’s the mental shift that happens when someone realizes they’re capable of more than they thought. Seeing a client come in feeling run down, discouraged, or in pain and leave with clarity, energy, and confidence is what fuels everything I do. I’ve always believed that wellness should feel empowering, not intimidating, and that belief drives how I design experiences, services, and spaces.
What makes my work special is the holistic approach. I don’t see health as a single transaction or quick fix. I see it as a system—fuel, movement, recovery, and mindset—all working together. My goal is to remove barriers and create environments where people feel supported, educated, and motivated to take ownership of their health.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about expanding the ways we support long-term wellness. This includes adding assisted stretch therapy for recovery and mobility, as well as partnering with a reputable company to provide affordable access to GLP-1 support for clients seeking medically guided weight management. I’m also exploring mind-body approaches to weight management, including hypnotherapy-based techniques, that help clients strengthen mindset, consistency, and behavior change—recognizing that sustainable results start in the mind as much as the body.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things had the biggest impact on my journey: self-discipline, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Self-discipline was the foundation for everything else. Motivation comes and goes, but discipline is what keeps you moving forward when excitement fades. Learning to show up consistently—whether I felt ready or not—built trust in myself and created momentum over time.
Advice: Don’t wait to feel motivated. Build simple routines and keep the promises you make to yourself. Consistency compounds faster than intensity.
Adaptability allowed me to grow through change instead of resisting it. Not everything went as planned, and some of my biggest lessons came from things that didn’t work. Being willing to adjust, pivot, and let go of ego made it possible to turn setbacks into progress.
Advice: Treat challenges as feedback, not failure. Stay curious, stay flexible, and be willing to evolve as you learn more about yourself and your direction.
A commitment to continuous learning separated growth from stagnation. Whether it was learning from mentors, clients, or personal experience, I stayed open to improving my skills and expanding my understanding. The more I learned, the more confident I became in making decisions and taking calculated risks.
Advice: Invest in learning early and often. Ask questions, seek mentors, and don’t assume you already know enough. The willingness to learn will keep you relevant and resilient.
At every stage, these three qualities reinforced each other. Discipline created consistency, adaptability created resilience, and learning created clarity. For anyone early in their journey, focusing on these areas won’t just help you move faster—it will help you build something that lasts.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
No one builds anything meaningful alone, and I’ve been fortunate to have a few people close to me who’ve played a major role in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills and confidence needed to grow.
The most influential person in my journey has been my wife, Melissa. Over the past three years, she has helped me navigate every challenge that’s come my way. She’s stood by my side through uncertainty, growth, and change, offering perspective, encouragement, and belief—especially when I was stepping into areas that weren’t my strongest. Her support and willingness to push me to do hard things have been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth.
Another person who has had a major impact on me is Ryan Stream, a close friend, motivational speaker, and business owner. Ryan is a powerful example of what’s possible regardless of where you come from. Watching his journey reinforced the belief that circumstances don’t define potential. His mindset, discipline, and ability to lead himself first showed me that when you fully commit and put your mind to something, you can rise, compete, and become a champion in your own lane.
I’m also deeply motivated by my four kids, who encourage me every day—often without even realizing it. Being their example pushes me to stay consistent, pursue hard things, and lead with integrity. They remind me why resilience matters and why growth is worth the effort.
Together, these relationships shaped not just the skills I needed to succeed, but the mindset, values, and accountability that sustain it. Their influence continues to drive how I build, lead, and show up every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.peakwellnessnnutrition.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakwellness_n_nutrition?igsh=cTR4cTZpbTkwZmx4&utm_source=qr
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
