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COLLEEN BRAUN:  The Pride of Springfield, MN

First, she transformed her own life.  Then, she transformed an entire community.

After working 20 years as a nurse, Colleen Braun decided she needed a change.  Health-conscious her entire life, Braun got the idea of opening her own fitness club.  The only problem was she knew almost nothing about running her own business.  But that little detail wasn’t going to stop her.

Colleen enrolled in a sales and marketing program at a local university and promptly completed the program with a 4.0 grade point average.  A short while later (in April of 2006) Colleen opened the doors to Anytime Fitness Express in Springfield, MN.  Within a year, 500 members had joined the club.  This, despite the fact that the entire population of Springfield is only about 2,200.

“Springfield has embraced the Anytime Fitness Express club and all the convenience it has to offer,” Braun says.  “I knew there was a need for something like this in the community, but I have to admit even I’m a little surprised by the overwhelming reaction we’ve had.”
Colleen isn’t the only one who’s been impressed.  Largely due to the fact that so many residents joined Colleen’s club, Springfield was honored with a “Fit City” award by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2006.  In addition, doctors and chiropractors in Springfield and surrounding communities have been referring their patients to Colleen’s club for physical therapy follow-ups.
Much of the reason for Colleen’s success is the friendly, inviting atmosphere she’s created in her club.  People of all ages, shapes and sizes feel welcome.

“That’s very important to me,” Colleen says.  “I know that a lot of my members had never belonged to a club before.  They were nervous and didn’t know what to expect.  My job is to take away that nervousness and make them feel at home.  We have people who come here in all sorts of conditions.  Some are significantly overweight.  Some are in great shape already.  I’m happy to say that we have something for everyone.”

Colleen has also assembled an excellent staff of personal trainers and exercise consultants.  Colleen says making sure that her staff understands the needs of a diverse clientele is an important part of running a successful club.  One of her trainers, Teri Kratz, knows that as well as anyone.  Teri joined Colleen’s club after gaining a lot of weight prior to the birth of her youngest daughter.  With Colleen’s help and encouragement, Teri worked out at the club 127 consecutive nights – after putting her 4 children to bed.  Teri lost 65 pounds and Colleen helped her get certified as a personal trainer.  Now it’s Teri who’s helping Colleen run one of the most well-liked and well-respected clubs in the Anytime Fitness family.
“Colleen is just amazing,” says Teri.  “She helped me turn my life around and now she’s helping nearly this entire community.”

Mark Daly
Anytime Fitness