Meet Mark Miller of Total Fitness Kickboxing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Miller.

Hi Mark, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We opened our first facility in Southaven, MS, in September of 2017. Mississippi consistently ranks as the unhealthiest state in the country. So, we went into this location with the goal of providing an atmosphere far removed from the typical gym and the mundane aura that comes with it.

The market was lacking an option to help people reach their fitness goals in a fun and comprehensive manner. It was also very important for us to create a social environment that was beginner-friendly and judgment-free. With that goal in mind, we focused all of our energy on creating a vibrant gym culture, service levels guided by the customer’s experience, and a team with a clear objective of improving each day.

Our growth was so rapid that by March 2018, I had left my corporate position to open a 2nd location just 15 minutes up the road. The next 18 months were so successful for us that a 3rd location seemed like a no-brainer. My wife and I were really interested in relocating somewhere near the mountains. We initially looked into Salt Lake City but ended up putting Colorado at the top of our list.

In August of 2019, we signed a lease in Boulder with an expected opening date of April 1, 2020. As you’d guess, we were unable to open due to the pandemic. So, after months of pivoting to a live-streaming model at our Mississippi locations, we were finally able to open the Boulder location in March of 2021.

The first 2 years were filled with a lot of challenges and uncertainty as the effects of the pandemic lingered for a long time. However, we never took our focus off the core principles that brought us so much success in our first locations. Fast forward to March of 2024, we’re going into our 4th year of business in Boulder, and we couldn’t be more grateful for how far we’ve come!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We faced many of the common challenges in opening and growing a business. However, nothing compared to the fortitude required when you’re forced to close your business due to a pandemic. There was no operating manual to refer to, and experienced input from other business leaders was incredibly hard to come by, as we were all dealing with the same uncertainty for the first time in our lives.

Our industry is one of the most social and in-person business models in the world. So, when the world essentially went into isolation, we were left with no choice but to adapt or become insolvent.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about TOTAL FITNESS KICKBOXING?
We provide a FUN and EFFECTIVE workout that anyone can participate in! Our structure combines kickboxing with the most essential parts of fitness, such as cardiovascular health, strength/conditioning, flexibility, and coordination.

In addition, we create a welcoming social environment to foster a vibrant community within our gym! Whether you’re experienced in fitness or a newcomer, you can expect to achieve great results, improve your quality of life, and meet some of the best people you’ll ever run into!

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was actively involved in sports such as baseball, basketball, track and field, and soccer. My father was in the Marine Corps, so the first 18 years of my life were shaped by military life and the sacrifices both my dad and our family had to make.

As I entered my 20s, I became very interested in lifting weights and fitness in general. In 2008, I started practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which I have continued ever since.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.totalfitnesskickboxing.com/boulder-co
• Instagram: @tfk_boulder