Community Highlights: Meet Karen Richards of Two Birds Fit™

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Richards.

Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Karen Richards, the Co-Founder of Two Birds Fit™. Two Birds Fit™ came out of an idea to combine two things I love… working out and matchmaking! Combining both of these passions was an easy fit and a light bulb moment and it brought on a new business concept now known as Speed Dating Workouts. I have never felt like I found “my thing” until now. ​​

But let me back up a little bit. Sports and the outdoors have always been a big part of my life – from watching my Dad train for the Ironman in Kona back in the 80s to playing sports growing up. I have always enjoyed working out for the sake of moving my body and feeling good. I also had 2 discs replaced in my neck a few years ago and have been pretty cautious with it. However, this year, I’m finally turning it up and trying to tune out any fear. I’m gearing up for my own Ironman and have my sights on Kona too if I can qualify.

I’ve had my hands full this year with a new business, Ironman training, and my “real job” as a personal trainer at The Denver Athletic Club. I love helping my clients achieve their own fitness goals and connecting with them as friends too. Two Birds Fit™ allows me to use my training background to help people get together, make friends and connect… I’ve been told that one of the things I do best is connect people and that brings me all kinds of joy!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When you are one of the first to step out of the norm and into unknown territory, you are bound to face some hurdles. Because we are one of the first businesses (if not, the first) to be built primarily around Speed Dating Workouts, it has been much harder to receive some necessary staples – such as insurance and permits, and also to collaborate with other businesses.

Lucky for me, I have amazing business-savvy friends and personal training clients & coworkers at The Denver Athletic Club that let me bounce many ideas their way and have helped me grow Two Birds Fit™ into a great way for active people in Denver to meet up. For example, Bryant Palmer at Oh Hey Creative believed in me enough to collaborate at Edgewater Public Market a month ago where I threw my first large Singles Mixer Event.

We had 260 people, had a ton of fun, and heard a lot of positive feedback – so much so that we’re already planning our next event. So with the hurdles, comes the highs and I’m looking forward to more collaborations with Bryant and other fun venues around Denver – so hit me up!

As you know, we’re big fans of Two Birds Fit™. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Two Birds Fit™ brings single people together for a fun way to get to know each other through movement. We host Speed Dating Workouts – which are partner-based Workouts and Singles Walks as well as Social Events and Singles Mixers.

The goal isn’t necessarily for you to find your person…  but if you do, fantastic! The goal is to be surrounded by positivity, fun, and possibly a little sweat – all while making connections in person. If you feel like you “click” with someone, just let us know and Two Birds Fit™ will connect you. We’ve built out a Matchmaking Program that will connect you with multiple people – Think of it like “swiping right in real life!”

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
A whole lot of lessons! To name a few… How people interact with each other and the challenges that they experience… even today. I hear so often from people that they have lost their people skills. Some will come to Two Birds Fit™ to work on that alone. Very introverted people will come to a workout or a walk and say how easy and comfortable it was for them to be a part of it all and extroverted people will say the same. For example, singles are paired up and each “couple” spends approximately 5 minutes with each other – before moving to the next person.

Along with being outdoors and getting a great workout or walk, I also often hear that Two Birds Fit™ has helped people communicate better and to be more engaged, better listeners, more approachable and confident, as well as being less timid of physical contact with new people, for example shaking hands or doing partner exercises with one another. I’ve had multiple people referred to us by their therapists and what an honor that is!

I hear all the time that people are “over the apps” and how much they love our concept and what Two Birds Fit™ is all about. And here I was thinking at the beginning we would just give people a fun workout and an opportunity to meet new friends and a potential match… Two Birds, One Stone style. Nope, there have been oodles of goodness that have poured out of Two Birds Fit™ and have brought people out of their shells!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.twobirdsfit.com
• Instagram: @twobirdsfit
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/twobirdsfit
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/karen-richards-3936b187