Shred With Shannon: 10 years in the making!

Where do I begin?

I get asked often if fitness is my background - it's not actually. I was not in sports in high school or college. At some point during college, I started working out. I don't remember what clicked for me, but something did..

I was active all the way up until I delivered my first son on October 25, 2013. In fact, the morning I went into labor I had been in the gym. I didn't want my new role to keep me from my fitness routine & I didn't let it. I knew it wasn't that easy for other moms & I wanted to be a part of their journey.... to stay active for their kids. I became certified as a group fitness instructor when my son was 4 months old & started teaching "mommy & me" fitness classes at the local community center. To my dismay, it didn't take off.

I was still passionate about "mommy & me" fitness & took matters into my own hands. For the next 5 years, these classes grew with my kids. It started as Stroller Fit & ended with Fit Family. We met indoor at a local church during the winter months & outdoors at a local park during the summer months! We worked out amongst our children & sometimes WITH them! 

During this time, I was also teaching and personal training at Safari Island Community Center (and Snap Fitness for a short period of time!). Around 2017, I started a "no-strings attached" accountability group on Facebook. This group has grown to 200+ members & is still going strong. 

Enter COVID. While this was a stressful time in all of our lives, it was what got the ball rolling for me professionally. Like many fitness centers, my gym was closed down & then, when it was opened back up, had several restrictions. At the beginning of 2021, it came time to teach fitness classes indoors, but with a mask. This was a pivotal moment for me. I already had one foot out the door as I had handed over my personal training clients & was training out of my home & virtually. I took the leap & gave Safari Island my notice. It was so bittersweet. Safari Island had been my 2nd home for the last 7 years.

In the few months before June 2021, Shred With Shannon was born. I got an L.L.C., got a logo, created a website & started searching for a place to have outdoor classes. I landed, free of charge, a "driveaway" behind a downtown Waconia building. I was so excited. It was all mine & I was there for exactly 1 week. During that 1 week, I saw a FB post from a friend, Heather Boll, who had started her own wellness business called The Hive. She was looking for professional partners. I messaged her and asked if I would be a good fit. We met, I applied & we toured the space next door to her building that was available for rent. In a matter of a few days, things had pivoted 360 degrees. I now had a new outdoor location, a new studio that would be under construction that summer & a partnership with a business that was a 1-stop shop for mind, body & soul wellness. WOW! What a whirlwind. 

In fall of 2021, I moved into that studio, hired a dance & yoga instructor & started adding classes to my schedule. I was now offering Kickboxing, Shredcamp (a Bootcamp class with a Shred With Shannon twist on it!), Barre, Yoga & a variety of cardio & strength classes. What I have failed to mention is that my studio was also an Aerial Studio - that's right.. Aerial hammocks. Myself & 2 other ladies became certified in Aerial Yoga & we started offering classes. We have also added Aerial Parties, Aerial Play for Kids & an Aerial Dance Course for kids. 

We are now ready to close out to 2023 & it is so hard to summarize the last 2 years in business. There have been growing pains (duh!) as an entrepreneur & I have learned SO much about being a small business owner! I've been sitting on some huge news/developments & I am ready to share them with you:

Effective December 1, Shred With Shannon will own the entire house beyond the studio! *cue excited, nervous deep breath*

With this new expansion, the following services will be available:

• Introducing 'Shred Solo' - your 24/7 fitness oasis in a historic, charming home. Access to top-notch fitness equipment at your convenience in a boutique setting. Coming in January 2024.
• Access to a sauna, cupping therapy & an ionic detox foot bath - SWS members/clients will receive discounts to these services. Coming December 2023. 
• Meal-planning/prep workshops. Coming January 2024.

I am so excited about this growth & offering the Waconia community more tools to hop back on the fitness and wellness bandwagon!

I've officially written my first blog! Thank you for reading!