Meet Keri Hanson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keri Hanson.

Hi Keri, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Prior to starting my Kids Run Northern Colorado business, I was a high school English teacher. In the years that I taught, I was voted teacher-of-the-year twice by students; however, I know that there were other teachers who were better English teachers than me. My passion was connecting with the students and learning their stories, helping them to be able to articulate their stories. I learned to form them as much as I taught. I left teaching to study Holistic Health, Yoga, and Ayurvedic Medicine. For a while, I worked as a holistic health coach, but I missed working with kids. So when I saw an advertisement about business training that teaches Growth Mindset to kids through running, I took a leap and signed up.

There are businesses like mine in 150 cities and counting! While we use traditional running games and drills, each lesson also contains powerful lessons designed to teach kids the power of the words they use during challenges, the power of positive thinking, and how to set big goals and fail forward rather than letting failure be fatal. Our program teaches kids the importance of how we carry ourselves and communicate–the impact we can have on others. And it teaches kids that confidence is earned through work and action. I love getting to run, play and connect with the kids we teach! Seeing them grow and become more resilient in mind and body is such a gift.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’m still on the road to building this business! Our goal is to empower kids (eventually K-12) with resilience in mind and body through teaching a growth mindset, stress reduction, eating for health, and the joy of movement. Currently, our programs are designed for K-5th grade students. We are designing a middle and high school component.

Building this business has been full of challenges–it has forced me to practice some of the same growth mindset principles that we teach in our programs! When I start doubting myself, I have to remind myself of times that I have accomplished things I didn’t know that I could. When things don’t work out quite like I plan, I spend time learning from my mistakes and not getting stuck in negative self-talk that inhibits growth. I constantly am setting STRETCH Goals–like we teach students to do! Most people have heard of SMART Goals–Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. STRETCH Goals are Specific, Take you farther and further than you have been, and Reach beyond your comfort zone, Even if you fail, you grow, Time may take longer to reach, and Change you for the better.

This business has STRETCHED me in so many ways. I’m more of an idea person, I’m a teacher! But I have been forced to learn the ins and outs of EINs, LLCs, spreadsheets, insurance, and so many other things that are well beyond my comfort zone. It doesn’t ever seem to get easier, but when I look back to what I knew when I started, I see so much growth in myself and my business as well!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a former teacher, turned health coach–using my skills to inspire and create healthier, more resilient children in mind and body. Especially since the pandemic, there has been such an increase in anxiety in our kids. Our program combats this by teaching growth mindset, breathwork, and mindfulness, and how food impacts our mood, and it includes all the health benefits of physical exercise under our bright blue Colorado skies and warm sun.

Kids Run Northern Colorado is an enrichment program for children of all fitness levels. Traditional running games and drills are transformed into powerful life lessons. Children are able to compete with themselves and reach the goals they once thought were beyond them when they participate in our classes. We have found that the eight core empowerment principles we selected together create a unique and powerful curriculum. One which combines physical health with the strength of character.

What’s next?
We are planning to add a middle and high school curriculum that will be added to our after-school and homeschool enrichment offerings.

We are also planning to offer virtual courses and workshops so that we can reach kids in Colorado and beyond!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kidsrunnortherncolorado.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/KidsRunNoCo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KidsRunNoCo
• Other: www.pinterest.com/kidsrunnoco

Image Credits
Jenny Chapman, Keri Hanson, and Amanda Baker