Steven Colon - Owner of CrossFit Tao

In this episode of the Greater Culture Podcast, Brad interviews Steven Colon, owner of Tao Training Facility and CrossFit Tao. They discuss Steven's journey from being a collegiate baseball player to discovering CrossFit and eventually transitioning into coaching. The conversation highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and the evolution of training methodologies in fitness. Steven shares his journey from starting coaching morning classes for free, to personal training and group training at D1, to being offered the chance to buy CrossFit Tao. He discusses the challenges he faced, including working for free, navigating the COVID pandemic, and overcoming self-doubt. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of relationships, continuous growth, and adapting his mission and values as a gym owner. Coach Steven's competitive spirit and desire to prove doubters wrong have driven him to succeed in the fitness industry, and he reflects on the lessons learned over his seven years in business.You can follow his journey on IG @pap3rmad3_colon and @taotrainingcfChapters00:00 The Journey Begins: From Athlete to Coach14:56 Discovering CrossFit: A New Training Paradigm29:50 Transitioning to Coaching: Lessons Learned45:04 Building a Community: The Role of Support in Fitness29:50 Building Experience: The Path to Ownership33:03 Taking the Leap: Acquiring a Gym in Georgia36:03 Navigating Challenges: Surviving COVID and Growing the Business38:56 The Drive to Succeed: Overcoming Doubt and Competition42:14 Evolving Values: Shaping the Mission of Tau Training50:00 Reflections on Growth: Lessons Learned in Seven Years54:02 Connecting with the Community: The Importance of Relationships