Sweat Community

Sheena
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Fitness

Sweat Community Podcast is your inside guide to health, wellness, fitness, and community in the Denver metro area. Hosted by Sheena, fitness instructor and RN who grew up in Golden Colorado, this show brings together the people, places, and events that make Denver’s wellness scene thrive. Each episode dives into real conversations with local wellness leaders and community builders who are shaping how we move, connect, and feel our best. Whether you’re looking for your next workout class, wellness event, or a supportive fitness community, you’ll find it here. New episodes out every Thrursday. If you’re health-minded and living in (or near) Denver, this podcast helps you discover new opportunities to sweat, grow, and belong. From fitness trends and wellness tips to local events and community spotlights, Sweat Community is all about helping you find your people. For more, head over to SweatCommunity.com and subscribe to the email list to stay up to date on the latest health, fitness and wellness events happening around Denver.

  1. Ep. 12 Wendy Hennig | Why More Members Isn't the Answer- What Actually Makes Boutique Studios Thrive

    2d ago

    Ep. 12 Wendy Hennig | Why More Members Isn't the Answer- What Actually Makes Boutique Studios Thrive

    What makes a boutique fitness studio truly successful? Is it more members, lower prices, or something else entirely? In this episode of Sweat Community, I sit down with Wendy Hennig, founder of Aligned Studio Consulting, to explore what really helps fitness studios thrive. Wendy has been a fitness instructor, general manager, studio owner, and now consultant, helping boutique fitness businesses increase revenue, improve member retention, build stronger teams, and create communities that keep people coming back. We dive into why more members isn't always the answer, the biggest mistakes studio owners make, what causes members to cancel their memberships, and why instructors play such a critical role in creating loyal communities. Wendy also shares her perspective on pricing, marketing, Google Reviews, ClassPass, burnout, and the systems every studio owner should have in place. Whether you're a studio owner, fitness instructor, or someone who simply loves your local fitness community, this conversation offers valuable insight into what happens behind the scenes of the studios we all love. In this episode, we discuss: Why more members doesn't always mean more profitThe biggest mistakes studio owners makeHow to improve member retention and create loyal communitiesWhy instructors are one of a studio's greatest assetsWhen to raise prices—and how to do it successfullyThe truth about ClassPassMarketing strategies that actually workWhat makes boutique fitness studios thrive 🎁 Special offer for Sweat Community listeners: An extra 30 minutes added to a Studio Alignment Session (a $150 value)$75 off a Studio Experience Audit for local Denver studios Connect with Wendy Hennig: 🌐 Website: alignedstudioconsulting.com 📱 Instagram: @alignedstudioconsulting Resources Mentioned: 📚 Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 📚 Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski If you're enjoying Sweat Community, head over to sweatcommunity.com and subscribe to stay in the know with new podcast episodes, local fitness and wellness events, exclusive offers, and the people building community through movement. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend, instructor, or studio owner who would find it valuable. Every share helps grow our local fitness community. What made you sweat this week?

    48 min
  2. Ep. 11 How Chelsea Stewart Built HAVN Hot Pilates Into Two Waitlisted Studios

    Jul 2

    Ep. 11 How Chelsea Stewart Built HAVN Hot Pilates Into Two Waitlisted Studios

    Chelsea Stewart didn't have investors, a playbook, or a guarantee it would work. What she had was 12 years of teaching experience, a method she believed in, and enough drive to open HAVN Hot Pilates in just three months, while working a full-time job. Two and a half years later she has 21 employees, two waitlisted studios in the Denver metro area, and a community that keeps coming back not just for the workout but for how it makes them feel. In this episode of Sweat Community, Chelsea gets real about what it actually takes to build a boutique fitness studio from scratch, the 80-hour weeks, the contractor battles, the self-doubt, and the moment she knew it was time to open a second location. We also get into everything you've wanted to know about hot Pilates and why Chelsea believes the era of exclusive, aesthetic-obsessed fitness studios is over. We cover: Launching HAVN Hot Pilates in three months with no outside investorsTeaching 22 heated classes a week while running a business soloMat Pilates versus reformer and why mat is harder than you thinkWhether Pilates actually builds muscle and how it compares to strength trainingThe real benefits of working out in a heated roomOpening a second waitlisted studio and the pressure that came with itWhy exclusivity in fitness is over and what HAVN is doing differentlyChelsea's personal wellness routine: nutrition, sleep and avoiding burnout Chelsea's philosophy is simple: work hard, be nice, and go where it feels good.  Whether you're hot Pilates curious, an aspiring studio owner, or someone who has ever felt like the fitness industry wasn't built for you, this one is for you. Find HAVN Hot Pilates: Instagram: @havnhotpilates Website: havenhotpilates.com Studios in Greenwood Village + Littleton, CO First three classes: $45 | First drop-in: $22 Never miss an episode, subscribe at sweatcommunity.com for new episodes, Denver area fitness and wellness events, studio spotlights and exclusive local offers.

    43 min
  3. Ep. 10 From Disability to American Ninja Warrior: Angela Fuller's Incredible Comeback Story

    Jun 25

    Ep. 10 From Disability to American Ninja Warrior: Angela Fuller's Incredible Comeback Story

    What if the thing that changed your life wasn't winning, but simply refusing to quit? After a devastating car accident and spinal injury, Angela Fuller was told she'd never be an athlete again. She spent 27 years away from gymnastics, battled postpartum depression, and faced the heartbreaking loss of her best friend to terminal breast cancer. Most people would have accepted those setbacks as the end of the story. Angela didn't. In this inspiring episode of Sweat Community, Angela shares how she found the courage to start over, applied to American Ninja Warrior four years in a row before finally making the show, and returned to competitive gymnastics. Her story has been featured in People Magazine and Inside Gymnastics, but what she really wants is for every mom listening to know: your dreams don't expire just because you became a parent. If you've ever felt like it's "too late" to go after something, this episode is your sign. Connect with Angela FullerFollow Angela and her journey: Instagram: @coloFitnessChickFacebook: Angela FullerYouTube: Angela FullerTikTok: @HappyDanceNinjaTake a Class with AngelaZumba Tuesdays at 10:00 AM – Northridge Recreation Center (Highlands Ranch)Thursdays at 9:00 AM – Westridge Recreation CenterHIIT 30 Lift 30 Wednesdays at 10:00 AM – Westridge Recreation Center If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs a reminder that it's never too late to chase a dream. For more fitness, wellness, and community events around the Denver metro area, visit sweatcommunity.com and subscribe so you never miss an episode, local event, or special offer from our community partners.

    55 min
  4. Ep. 9 Botox, Fillers & Aging Gracefully: What Actually Works with Heather Gilbert, PA

    Jun 18

    Ep. 9 Botox, Fillers & Aging Gracefully: What Actually Works with Heather Gilbert, PA

    Is Botox in your 20s a good idea? Do red light masks actually work? And what does it really mean to age gracefully? In this episode of Sweat Community Podcast, we sit down with Heather Gilbert, PA, at Après Skin and Wellness, to talk aesthetics and regenerative medicine. Heather shares her journey into becoming one of Denver's most trusted injectors, and why education and patient relationships are at the center of everything she does. We cover the questions you're probably afraid to ask: how Botox really works long-term, whether fillers damage your lip tissue, what biostimulators and PRP/PRF actually do for your skin, Nutrafol, the most overhyped treatments right now, and how to know if your provider truly has your best interest at heart. Heather offers free consultations for everyone. Mention code HeatherSweat150 to save $150 off your first treatment *terms and conditions apply.* Book your consultation at www.onlyapres.com For more episodes and to stay up to date on wellness events, subscribe at sweatcommunity.com

    40 min
  5. Ep.8 Barista to Billion Dollar Leader: Denise Nelsen on Wellness, Mentorship & Life After Starbucks

    Jun 11

    Ep.8 Barista to Billion Dollar Leader: Denise Nelsen on Wellness, Mentorship & Life After Starbucks

    What does it take to go from Starbucks barista to leading billion-dollar businesses? In this episode of Sweat Community Podcast, Sheena sits down with Denise Nelsen, former Senior Vice President at Starbucks, former CEO of Smashburger, yoga teacher, mentor, and leadership advisor with SGNL. Denise shares her journey from barista to executive leadership, the role wellness and movement played throughout her career, and how living in Colorado shaped her approach to health, fitness, and community. She also opens up about navigating career transitions, redefining success, and helping others find alignment in their work and lives. Plus, Denise shares her favorite Colorado wellness experiences, insights from building a life centered around movement with her husband, Rich Nelsen, former CEO of VASA Fitness, and why fitness, community, and wellness remained non-negotiables while leading billion-dollar organizations. Special offer for Sweat Community listeners: Denise is offering 10% off coaching and mentoring services through SGNL when you mention "Sweat Community." Connect with Denise: denise@clearsgnl.com For more local fitness, wellness, and community conversations, visit sweatcommunity.com and subscribe to stay in the know on new podcast episodes, show notes, and upcoming events. What made you sweat today?

    28 min
  6. Ep. 7 The Story of Denver Yoga Summit: Building Community Through Yoga, Wellness & Connection in CO

    Jun 4

    Ep. 7 The Story of Denver Yoga Summit: Building Community Through Yoga, Wellness & Connection in CO

    What does it take to build a yoga festival from the ground up? Host Sheena sits down with Brittany Hopkins Switlick, founder and director of the Denver Yoga Summit, bestselling author, yoga teacher trainer, and community builder, to talk about how she turned a message with friends into a three-day wellness festival happening this September at the stunning Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms. We're talking about building community through movement, the real story behind launching a wellness event, healing through yoga, and why Denver's wellness scene is about to change forever. In this episode we cover: How the Denver Yoga Summit was born and what it took to make it happenWhy yoga is the workout you didn't know you needed, especially if you're an athleteWhat 90+ classes, workshops, and sessions across three days actually looks likeThe gap between yoga classes and teacher training, and how this event bridges itHow Brittany's bestselling book Dancing with Our Selves teaches you to harness your ego and live with intentionThe nonprofits and community impact baked into the Summit's DNA from day oneWhy in-person wellness community has never been more important than right nowWhether you're a seasoned yogi, a fitness lover curious about yoga, a yoga teacher looking for continuing education, or someone who has never set foot on a mat, this episode is for you. Grab your tickets at DenverYogaSummit.com and use code SWEAT30 for $30 off. Single day passes and payment plans available. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms | September 11–13, 2026. Follow the Denver Yoga Summit on Instagram: @DenverYogaSummit Stay connected with the Sweat Community at SweatCommunity.com and subscribe so you never miss an episode or community events.

    33 min
  7. Ep. 6 The Truth About “Healthy” Food- Protein, Wellness & Organic Living in Colorado with Vibe Foods

    May 28

    Ep. 6 The Truth About “Healthy” Food- Protein, Wellness & Organic Living in Colorado with Vibe Foods

    Shannon Weston didn't set out to build a wellness business, she set out to save her son. What started as a desperate search for answers to her child's mysterious health issues became a complete obsession with the power of food as medicine and eventually, Vibe Foods, one of Colorado's most trusted organic health food stores. In this episode of Sweat Community Podcast, Shannon gets refreshingly honest about the wellness industry, what's worth your money, what's complete health washing, and why that acai bowl you think is healthy might have more sugar than a hot fudge sundae. We also dig into clean protein sources, bone broth benefits, ingredient label red flags, and what it really takes to build a passion-driven business in today's economy. Later in the episode Shannon reveals her unexpected guilty pleasure, the supplement she swears by, and her honest take on wellness trends that need to go away. Plus, Shannon shares why fighting to protect the Lone Tree Bluffs is deeply personal to her and connected to everything she believes about health and community. Sweat Community exclusive: order online at lovevibefoods.com, use code SWEAT3 at checkout for $3 off your order. As always, go to SweatCommunity.com and subscribe to stay in the know on all things health and wellness in the Denver metro area.

    53 min
  8. Ep.5 Healing Through Movement How HRCA's Hannah Yeager is Redefining Community Fitness Mental Health

    May 21

    Ep.5 Healing Through Movement How HRCA's Hannah Yeager is Redefining Community Fitness Mental Health

    What does it take to build a fitness community where everyone belongs, from first-timers to people in their 90s. In this episode, I sit down with Hannah Yeager, Fitness Manager at Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA), to talk about community fitness, senior fitness, mental health, and what it really means to lead with heart. Hannah opens up about her personal journey with anxiety and panic disorder, how movement became her healing tool, and why she believes therapy should be non-negotiable for everyone. Plus we talk about what makes HRCA's 100+ weekly classes so special, why strength training is having a moment, and the power of affordable community-based fitness. Whether you're looking for your fitness community, navigating your mental health, or just curious about what HRCA has to offer, this one is for you. 📍 Highlands Ranch, CO. Connect with Hannah: hannah.yeager@hrcaonline.org More info, wellness events and show notes at SweatCommunity.com, subscribe to stay in the know of health and wellness in the Denver Metro.

    40 min
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About

Sweat Community Podcast is your inside guide to health, wellness, fitness, and community in the Denver metro area. Hosted by Sheena, fitness instructor and RN who grew up in Golden Colorado, this show brings together the people, places, and events that make Denver’s wellness scene thrive. Each episode dives into real conversations with local wellness leaders and community builders who are shaping how we move, connect, and feel our best. Whether you’re looking for your next workout class, wellness event, or a supportive fitness community, you’ll find it here. New episodes out every Thrursday. If you’re health-minded and living in (or near) Denver, this podcast helps you discover new opportunities to sweat, grow, and belong. From fitness trends and wellness tips to local events and community spotlights, Sweat Community is all about helping you find your people. For more, head over to SweatCommunity.com and subscribe to the email list to stay up to date on the latest health, fitness and wellness events happening around Denver.

Information

  • Creator
    Sheena
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sheena

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