We recently connected with Olga Dolynina and have shared our conversation below.

Olga, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I believe SWEAT LAB is different from the fitness industry standard. At SWEAT LAB we focus on personalized fitness programs for individuals with long term fitness and health goals. Our programs are unique and include a variety of disciplines like Strength training, mat Pilates, Yoga and Meditation. We focus on longevity by adding yoga and Pilates to regular workout routines. We believe in a mindful approach when it comes to fitness and make sure to incorporate meditation into our clients’ routines for mental health enhancement. Even our strength training sessions end with a short meditation. The fitness industry’s focus is on losing weight, building strength and pushing bodies to and past limits no matter what and no matter how. We focus on safety, injury prevention and longevity while helping clients with their individual wellness goals. At SWEAT LAB we structure workouts and movement programs based on the client’s lifestyle, history and needs. Everybody is different and every body is different. Not one program is the same at SWEAT LAB. Even our On Demand programs are tailored to individual needs. The cookie cutter approach that is so popular these days doesn’t work for long term health and wellness goals. We see a lot of this on social media: 14 day Fit challenge, 30 day meal plan, get ripped program, flat tummy challenge, etc. It’s all about sales, it’s all about numbers. Those programs are helpful to some people but not all. Fitness challenges are great as a kick start of one’s fitness journey. They are a great source of motivation. However, they are not designed for individual goals. They are taught to masses. There is no personal attention, no focus on injury prevention and the lack of modifications and supervision can cause injuries. Some people get great results and some get discouraged. SWEAT LAB is a fitness platform with a focus on clients’ personal needs. We are a high standard virtual fitness studio without high end pricing. That’s another factor that sets us apart from the current industry standard.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

My name is Olga Dolynina. I am originally from Russia. My mom was a gymnast, athletics teacher and an aerobics class queen. So I grew up watching her teach step aerobics and followed her steps by pursuing a career in dance. I started teaching Group X classes while in college. I discovered yoga while healing a dance related injury. My relationship with Pilates was on and off until I went through teacher training and fell in love with reformer and mat Pilates. I have been in the fitness industry for 15 years now and taught thousands of fitness, Pilates and yoga classes. I started SWEAT LAB out of pure passion. Boring workouts can be dreadful and a torture for someone who doesn’t like to workout in the first place. At SWEAT LAB we laugh, we dance, we sweat and we get things done! I wanted SWEAT LAB to be different. SWEAT LAB doesn’t promote quick fixes and esthetics focused programs, instead we promote healthy lifestyle for all! I am so proud to say that SWEAT LAB helps people to feel and be their best on and off the mat. We are inclusive. We are result-oriented. We are one of a kind!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Authenticity and commitment are the key to my established reputation within the market. I keep it real, and I keep doing my best. I show up and put in work, and I expect the same from my clients. I am a real person. I make mistakes. I have good days and low days. I seek help when I can’t do things on my own. My clients see that. It makes me relatable. I don’t put on a front for anyone. I show up as myself: silly, demanding, pushy, high energy, emotional, passionate and understanding. When I am being true and authentic, I create a safe space for my clients to be themselves. That’s how trust is built and long term relationships are created. I am 100% committed to my clients and their success. My commitment helps them to develop long term commitment to themselves and their wellness journey!

Have you ever had to pivot?

Starting my own Virtual Fitness Studio was a big pivot point in my life. Over the years I have helped multiple studios and businesses to open, grow and thrive. I’ve been helping others make their dreams come true with my skill set, experience and passion. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and everything became uncertain, I finally took the leap of faith and quit my comfort zone of steady paycheck. I took the risk and went out completely on my own. It’s been the most exciting, challenging but rewarding journey. I am so happy I finally followed my passion and trusted my gut. I now get to build my own dream. For the first time in my life I wake up in the mornings looking forward to work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mysweatlab.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therussianyogi/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-dolynina/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXSfh92tvDkUnNmP4_Aq7kQ

Image Credits
Omar Delgado from omar.delgadophotography Pick-a-Shoot Photography