Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessica Kisiel, Founder of The Pain Free Athlete, located in Moab, UT, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is - The Pain Free Athlete - where I help people overcome chronic pain and return to an active lifestyle. I offer posture therapy, online exercise classes, pain science education, and individual or group wellness coaching. I treat the whole person utilizing the biopsychosocial approach to healing. I work with active people in pain who are looking to address the underlying cause of their hurt, not just chase symptoms and apply short-term solutions.

Tell us about yourself

I was diagnosed with severe left hip osteoarthritis following three knee surgeries. The resulting pain in my hip and lower back ended my professional mountain biking career. However, I was not willing to accept the doctor's recommendation for a future hip replacement. That would have to wait until I was older, in more severe pain, and drastically limited in my lifestyle. Instead, in order to heal myself, I explored alternative treatments. At this time, I discovered posture therapy, pain science, self-compassion, mindfulness, and so much more, all of which played a key role in my full recovery. Through my journey from debilitating pain back to competitive sports, I learned that physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual alignment are at the center of healing and achieving peak performance.

To recover, I not only had to straighten my posture but also my mind. I had to learn how to slow down and adopt a more calm, optimistic mental outlook. Additionally, I discovered gratitude and how to express appreciation and joy for what I had and could do. Through the process, I gained a deeper understanding of myself, my body, and how my brain works. And I gained clarity on the relationship between the body and brain in response to chronic pain. My injury and resulting journey to recovery filled me with passion and purpose to help others struggling with chronic pain and limitations in their physical activity.

I am now back to an active lifestyle, able to partake in whatever type of exercise or sport I desire. Now, I want to help you do the same. Imagine participating in your sport at a higher level, with less fear of injury. Imagine having increased body confidence and a whole-person approach to training that supports continued wellness. I have successfully used these strategies with recreational and high-ranking professional athletes to overcome their movement limitations, allowing them to return to the sports and lifestyle they love. My goal for all my clients is to overcome limitations and Stay in the Game for Life!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment was publishing the book Winning The Injury Game: How to Stop Chronic Pain and Achieve Peak Performance.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Setting boundaries between your business and personal life to avoid early burnout. The lines get easily blurred when you work for yourself from home. There is always more to do, and it will still be there tomorrow.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be passionate and authentic about what you are doing. Your energy is contagious, and people like to work with someone who is real and even willing to show their vulnerable side.
  2. Narrow your market space. Focus on one topic/product and do it extremely well. Be a specialist, not a generalist.
  3. Hire people! You don't need to do everything, nor do you want to. Free yourself to focus on what only you can do, and it brings you joy and satisfaction.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thepfathlete.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/painfreeathlete
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/painfreeathlete/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/painfreeathlete
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakisiel/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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