Ep 76: 12-Minute Athlete with Krista Stryker
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Ep 76: 12-Minute Athlete with Krista Stryker
Episode 76: Show Notes
This week's guest created an app, a platform, and a book to be the change she wanted to see in the world. Her name is Krista Stryker, and she grew up fairly inactive, physically speaking. She was, however, an avid reader and writer who thought that one day, she would become a journalist.
After being called “spaghetti arms” by her brother one afternoon and being challenged to do push-ups, Krista decided to take her physical fitness more seriously. She went on to become an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer, working long hours in New York gym before realizing that there was a better way to pursue her love of movement.
Krista discovered HIIT training from the comfort of her living room and not only did she feel stronger and more confident than ever before, but her clients started seeing remarkable results as well! This all culminated in the 12 Minute Athlete platform, which is now used by more than 500,000 people worldwide.
In today’s episode, Krista speaks candidly about her journey with mental health and how she learned to manage depression and anxiety through meditation and mindful activity. She also shares her mission to help you become stronger and more confident using whatever you have at your disposal, and to embrace the process over the outcome with the understanding that mastery is not about completing something or graduating to the next level; it's about the refinement of skill.
To learn more about the backstory of journalist, entrepreneur, and world-renowned fitness expert, Krista Stryker, and see how she found her calling as the 12 Minute Athlete, plus so much more, make sure to tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
Krista shares her favorite childhood book and her aspirations to become someone “special”.
Learn more about her upbringing and her introduction to sport through her father.
How her family prioritized learning and good health over material possessions.
Krista’s perception of success when she was younger and how it related to independence.
Her journey with anxiety and how exercise came to provide Krista with a physical outlet.
Advice for parents with angsty or anxious teens: how hobbies can provide young people with a sense of meaning and purpose.
How self-discipline relates to struggle for Krista and how she gained it from exercise.
The quest for purpose and belonging that led Krista to five different colleges.
Hear the story of the three push-ups that ultimately ignited Krista’s dedication to fitness.
The next steps she took, which started with running and working with a personal trainer.
Why Krista decided to study for her personal training certification while in Amsterdam.
Her experience of being a personal trainer at a big box gym in New York City.
How a snowy winter changed the course of her life by forcing her to exercise at home.
The consistency Krista applied to starting a blog before creating her workout app.
How The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau inspired Krista to start her own business.
Find out how she decided on her “angle”: everybody is an athlete at heart.
Why the focus on 12-minute workouts and not 10 or 20-minute workouts, for example.
Krista reflects on the process of building an app and why she believes it was easier then.
Some of the events that contributed to her early success, including a feature on iTunes.
Learn why being able to do a handstand was a personal goal that Krista set for herself.
How Krista’s relationship with her mental health has evolved over the years.
The value of authenticity and vulnerability when sharing your story with others.
Hear about the process of self-publishing a book and why Krista chose this route.
Krista’s advice for those in the process of writing a book: be consistent!
How boxing has assisted Krista in her consistent pursuit of authenticity.
How she views success now: finding meaning.
Learn more about the next book Krista is working on about the power of movement.
Why she recommends starting your movement journey by mastering the pushup and doing exercise that feels more like play.
Tweetables:
“Success was independence for me. Not having to answer to someone else. Not having to do something I didn't believe in. Also, freedom to go places, travel, set my own day.” — @12minuteathlete [0:13:19]
“I thought, ‘I'm going to be willing to put an effort toward fitness,' because I'd never been willing before. I'd never been willing to fail. These three push-ups were the little switch that ignited me. It turned into a whole journey and led to where I am today." — @12minuteathlete [0:28:11]
"I've never liked the separation between men's training over here and women's training over here. I think everyone should just train like an athlete because I think we're all athletes at heart." — @12minuteathlete [0:45:15]
“[Handstands were] one of my early attempts to try force myself out of my comfort zone and try to teach myself that effort made a difference and could lead to something really cool and meaningful.” — @12minuteathlete [0:53:41]
“[Success] is about meaning: meaning in my own life and helping others find meaning in theirs. That has always been a big theme in my life. I wanted what I do to matter” — @12minuteathlete [1:08:37]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: