Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Connolly.
Hi Anna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Sure! Movement has always been the center of my life. I started dancing in the 4th grade and never stopped! I’ve always been interested in all things health and wellness. In high school, my parents would frequently take me to fitness classes, and show me how to lift weights.
In hopes of having a professional dance career, I chose to major in Dance and Kinesiology at Wayne State University. After taking some time off fitness and focusing on dance, I realized something was missing in my life. I soon got back into working out with a personal trainer and applied to work at the University’s recreation center as a fitness instructor. I had no fitness coaching experience, but I had taught dance for many years. I figured it would be a good part-time job, nothing I would do forever.
My love for fitness and teaching group fitness absolutely exploded, and soon became part of my identity. Throughout college, I completed several corporate fitness internships and completed my Personal Training Certification.
I’ve always known I wanted to start my own business, so in 2019 I started my LLC to do “pop-up” workout events in Detroit. I did my first workout/happy hour with Detroit Shipping Company in July 2019. After graduation in December 2019, I accepted a full-time fitness position with F45, teaching around 25 classes a week and managing their social media.
Around March 2020, I realized this was not exactly what I wanted to be doing, and (somewhat) lucky for me, I was laid off due to the pandemic. I pretty much immediately started building my online business into what it is today!
I started hosting free online classes to keep my friends, family, and myself healthy and happy throughout the shutdown. Much to my surprise, people wanted more! I hosted online workouts with happy hours to keep people connected, starting creating a lot of content for Instagram and shared about my body image struggles on social media.
Soon enough, AFC Strong became my full-time job. My business has changed and evolved SO MUCH in the last two years, but my mindset and messaging around fitness has remained the same. I want fitness to be a POSITIVE thing in people’s lives. A session with me should make you feel confident, empowered, energized, and strong. I currently do pop-up events partnered with Metro Detroit businesses and restaurants, run virtual classes with an on-demand platform, and online/in-person 1:1 training.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, and it is still rocky! When I was starting my business, I really didn’t know I was starting a business.
When the world was shut down, my roommates and I HATED working out from home and had a hard time motivating ourselves to move. I missed coaching fitness and felt the need support my community through movement. I decided I would host one online class in April 2020.
The first hurdle – how the heck do you use Zoom and stream an online fitness class?! This was A LOT to figure out, and technology stresses me out.
I hosted my first free/donation-based online class and had over 40 participants! Much to my surprise, I loved doing it and people wanted more!
One of the hardest transitions was moving from free classes to actually establishing a business. I wanted this to be my job. I figured out the business plan, developed a website, and went from there.
Soon after being in business, I realized I was WAY under-selling myself, and if I was ever going to make money, I needed to increase my prices. Other struggles along the way have included many technology issues, developing an on-demand platform for my website, working other part-time jobs, and trying to figure out the direction I want to go.
The biggest struggle for my business right now is the desire to be doing more “in-person” things when my clients are online and we are still living in a pandemic. My business is shifting as I am shifting. I am sure there will be MANY more hurdles when I eventually have a gym of my own!
As you know, we’re big fans of AFC Strong LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
AFC Strong LLC is an all-encompassing fitness brand based in Detroit. Anna Connolly, myself, is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and is the owner of AFC Strong LLC. AFC Strong is made up of an on-demand online platform (The Strong Series), in-person community events partnered with Metro Detroit small businesses, and 1:1 personal training.
I specialize in helping people of all ages and fitness levels feel strong, confident, and empowered through a positive relationship with exercise. I work with fitness newbies, senior citizens, adults with disabilities, and more advanced athletes. I truly believe movement is for EVERYONE and every body type.
I am most known for my fun, upbeat energy, and positive (yet critical) outlook on the fitness industry. Unlike other personal trainers, I am interested in healing your mindset around food and exercise. Although weight loss and or body composition change can be a result of exercise, it is never the focus with my clients. In my opinion, it is the least important aspect and can hinder your adherence and relationship with exercise in the long run.
I am also known for my high energy, motivating, and challenging HIIT classes! Brand-wise, I am most proud of winning Hour Detroit’s #1 Fitness Class in 2021. This was an incredible accomplishment and surprise for my first year in business! It gave me confidence and also major imposter syndrome.
Above all else, I want my community to be healthy and active. It is easy to get caught up in the intricacies and sometimes contradictory nature of the fitness world. Thus, I try to keep fitness simple, and even enjoyable for my clients. I love to host the workouts with happy hours after because it promotes a healthy relationship with food and a place to connect with others through movement.
Movement is SO important for our overall health and vitality. I never want to overwhelm my clients with overcomplicated fitness information, diets, and so on.
I want the readers to know about The Strong Series, my on-demand class platform. If you are trying to work out from home, and love taking fitness classes; this is an amazing option for you! I also want readers to know about my pop-up events in Metro Detroit, my in-person personal training in Royal Oak, and my Instagram platform where I share about my life, business, fitness, body neutrality, and more!
Any big plans?
Opening a gym/physical space of my own is definitely in the 5-year plan! I love the online and hybrid space I am in right now, but it has always been my goal to open a brick-and-mortar movement space. I would ideally love a place for fitness, but also a space for other creatives to launch their small businesses (photography studio, event space, etc.)
My plans for 2022 include more in-person classes and personal training with Detroit Sweat in Royal Oak, pop-up events with The Congregation and other small businesses, and changing the name of my business.
Pricing:
- The Strong Series $65/month
- Senior Strong $65/month
- Online Personal Training $75/session
- In-Person Personal Training $125/session
Contact Info:
- Email: annaconn3@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.
afcstrong.com/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/afc.strong/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/afcstrong - YouTube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UCFdv2s4s9hxjlAqqiSCx1Qg - Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/
biz/afc-strong-detroit?osq= afc+strong
Image Credits
Natalie Daniels
Erika Ruch
