We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristie Alicea a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kristie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
Shortly after graduating from Rutgers University, I was part of a dance group that danced as backup for artists and performed at various concerts. I started attending my friend’s Zumba class to improve my cardio for when I performed on stage. My friend suggested that I get my Zumba certification, mentioning that it could be a great way to earn some additional income while also enhancing my cardiovascular fitness. I obtained my Zumba certificate in 2012 and began working at a local gym in Queens, NY.
From there, I pursued my group fitness certification and also obtained a Silver Sneakers certification. It was during this time that I realized I wanted to pursue a full-time career in the fitness industry. In 2015, I applied to Equinox in Manhattan as a personal trainer and continued to develop my fitness career there. At Equinox, I gained valuable expertise and earned multiple certifications, including my first pre/postnatal fitness specialist certification, which turned out to be the catalyst for my own business.
Kristie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Kristie Alicea, a native New Yorker currently residing in Miami, Florida. I am the founder of ABC Fit Collective, a virtual fitness platform that offers movement solutions for maternity, motherhood, and beyond. ABC Fit Collective provides three distinct services. Firstly, we offer virtual personal training sessions where you are matched with a certified pre/postnatal fitness expert. Secondly, we provide a video-on-demand library of exercises specifically designed to be safe for your maternity and motherhood journey. Lastly, we offer self-guided fitness programs that allow you to work out at your own pace, ensuring they are safe for your pregnancy and postpartum experience.
Many of our clients turn to us when they discover they are pregnant and want to maintain a safe and active lifestyle for themselves and their baby. Additionally, we have clients who seek our assistance during the postpartum period, particularly those who have encountered complications and want to approach their movement journey in a proper and safe way.
What truly sets ABC Fit Collective apart is twofold. Firstly, we always pair you with a pre/postnatal fitness specialist who understands your unique maternity and motherhood needs. Secondly, our platform is designed to meet you where you are. With our 35-minute training sessions that can be conveniently done from the comfort of your own home, you are just a video call away from feeling empowered as a mother!
Our video-on-demand library is perfect for busy moms who may have limited time and want to incorporate movement into their routine, even if it’s just for 10 minutes! The workouts are categorized by trimesters and postpartum stages, and no previous experience is necessary. Minimal to no equipment is required!
Have you ever had to pivot?
When my business partner and I first came up with the idea for ABC Fit Collective, we had a vision of offering personal training services in person. But then, bam! The pandemic hit New York City, and all the fitness facilities closed their doors indefinitely. We had to do a quick 180. Just four days after the shutdown, I reached out to our clients and told them about this thing called Zoom. We figured, why not continue their training virtually? Our clients both pregnant and new moms, were eager to keep up with their workouts, and exercising became a source of normalcy in their lives.
As 2020 was winding down, it became clear that most of our amazing clients, who were moms-to-be or new moms, weren’t ready to head back to the gyms anytime soon. That’s when it hit us like a lightbulb moment. What if we built ABC Fit Collective as a completely virtual experience? Fast forward to today, and we’re thrilled to say that we’ve been able to help moms all across the USA, Canada, and the UK!
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
My business partner is actually my life partner too! We first crossed paths while working at Equinox in bustling New York City. We both kicked off our careers as personal trainers there, and it was such a serendipitous beginning. From day one, we clicked not only on a personal level but also when it came to our approach to fitness and wellness. We had this uncanny synchronicity in our training style, and we loved geeking out over all things fitness. We’d chat endlessly, compare notes, and even embark on certifications together. It was a true partnership.
Before 2020, we had this spark of an idea—why not start a fitness business together? Interestingly, we noticed that we were consistently being referred to pregnant women and new moms as clients. It became clear to us that there was a market within the maternity and motherhood space, and that’s when we decided to create ABC Fit Collective. Since 2020, we have been dedicated to building and expanding ABC Fit Collective into what it is today. It’s been an incredible journey, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of moms all around.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abcfitcollective.com
- Instagram: abcfitcollective
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcfitcollective/featured
- Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abcfitcollective?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Jake Zach Sachs and BlueSpark Photography