Interview with Christian Sobremesana, owner and coach
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: In 2011, my brother was a manager at one of the big-box gyms in California, and he told me he was going to leave to open his own CrossFit gym. I had no idea what that was at the time. After a while in the business, I noticed that his body had completely transformed, and all of his members seemed to have a lot of fun and were constantly working out. I went to visit him and I was really blown away with how great the environment was and how difficult the workout was. When I came back to Denver, I joined my own CrossFit gym. I was in marketing and data sales for about eight years at that point, and I was totally burned out on that industry. A few months into working out at the CrossFit gym, my brother talked me into opening my own box (CrossFit gym). I was terrified, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: CrossFit is run on an affiliate model, which gives CrossFit box owners the ability to run the gym pretty much however they want to. For me, I consider our gym the neighborhood gym. Community is the biggest part of our CrossFit gym culture. Most of us 115 members are good friends, and when someone new comes into our gym, we’re extremely welcoming and friendly.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: Helping people accomplish their fitness goals. Whether they want to lose weight or get stronger or improve their personal best times in other activities, it’s incredibly fulfilling to help get them to where they want to be, physically. The big one for me, though, is meeting the people I’ve met in the last three years in cross fit. I’ve met people who have seriously changed my life and who will become lifelong friends.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: The biggest challenge is separating the business from the personal. It’s just me and my wife running the business, and we become friends with the people who train with us. Sometimes they move, sometimes they adjust their budgets or schedules. Early on, that was tough for me. I had to understand that this isn’t personal, it’s just business.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: About five years ago, I was about 40-50 pounds overweight. I came from a corporate world where I was eating out multiple times a day and was in a depressed lifestyle. I kept thinking that I was going to die if I didn’t change my lifestyle. I woke up one day, changed my diet, started working out and lost 50 pounds in six months. It was really hard, but I knew I had to do it.
Profile
Business: Lowry CrossFit
Address: 990 Dayton St.
Hours: 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.Saturday, class times vary Sunday
Founded: 2014
Contact: 303-803-8537,
Employees: 5
