Hidden Gems: Meet James Anderson of Better Everyday LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Anderson.

Hi James, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins all the way back in 2006, while in middle school, when I started volunteering as a sports coach with special needs individuals through the Boulder Parks and Recreation EXPAND program. After middle school, I continued to gain experience by helping out with the Adaptive PE class at Fairview HS. Finally, during my senior year of college, I got an internship with the Special Olympics of Colorado, writing exercise programs for coaches to implement with their athletes. After college, I continued to specialize in providing services for individuals with special needs professionally. First, I worked as an Adult Day Program Counselor and Job Coach for Imagine! (2016-2018) and then later as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for multiple behavioral service organizations (2018-2020). Eventually, I took the entrepreneurial route to create what is now known as “Better Everyday Athletics”, a personal training company specializing in individuals with special needs.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had to deal with numerous obstacles along the way. For a long time, I struggled with my confidence to sell myself to clients and wasted a lot of days just hoping people would find me without actually going out there and networking myself effectively. Then, after I realized I wasn’t putting in nearly enough time (or money) to market my business, I came into the challenges of not knowing how to market myself specifically to my target population: individuals with special needs.

We’ve been impressed with Better Everyday LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a personal trainer in Boulder who specializes in individuals with disabilities. My mission is simple but powerful: To empower individuals of all abilities to realize their full potential through movement.

This philosophy is woven into everything I do. Doesn’t matter what my client’s current level of ability is, I meet them where they’re at, physically and cognitively, and help them become stronger, fitter, healthier, and more confident in their daily lives.

My work with the Special Olympics of Colorado and my background in behavioral health as a registered behavior technician (RBT) has given me a rare depth of understanding when it comes to motivation, adaptation, and personal growth when working with individuals with disabilities. I have clients with a wide variety of challenges such as Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, and well as physical limitations such as those in a wheelchair or using a walker.

What sets me apart from every other personal trainer in the state of Colorado is not just that I specialize in individuals with disabilities. It’s that I am able to make a major impact on improving their physical health while simultaneously reducing the behavioral issues that the parents/caregivers of my clients report to me, which improves the quality of life of the entire family, not just the client themselves.

If there’s anything that readers must know about my brand, it’s that I bring my services to them. The clients never have to drive to a gym to work with me. I will train you at a park, at your home, or wherever you feel most comfortable working out at. Plus, I provide all the necessary equipment, so you never have to worry about bringing anything to my training sessions other than yourself (and preferably a water bottle).

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
That I am able to start a movement of change in our society that understands the importance of physical health when it comes to overall quality of life and that individuals with disabilities shouldn’t be left out of that conversation. Just because it’s easier to let your child sit on the couch and watch tv all day doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. They will develop physical health conditions on top of their intellectual/developmental disability they already live with every single day, which hurts the entire family emotionally and financially.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mybettereveryday.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/better_everyday_llc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybettereveryday
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterEverydayAthletics