Austin Adventure Boot Camp isn’t basic training, but it will definitely get you into shape; without the green hue of fluorescent gym lights. If you don’t believe us, just take one look at founder and owner Stephanie McDonald.
Furiously fit (a top-ranked national level figure competitor who was named one of AFM’s 10 Fittest in 2006), endlessly inventive (she designs her company’s Web site and all of her own marketing collateral) and always inspirational (she coaches many of the boot camps herself), we first met McDonald back in 2005 when she was just getting started. In just four short years, she’s built Austin Adventure Boot Camp into the fitness force it is today – one of the city’s premiere group exercise outlets.
Beginning by canvassing South Austin neighborhoods with door-to-door advertisements, McDonald now uses weight-loss challenges, a growing body of testimonials and enthusiastic e-blasts to garner new customers, as well as keep regular clientele pumped up. Her industry experience, drive and savvy business acumen have helped McDonald thrive in an otherwise competitive marketplace.
“My first jobs out of grad school were in corporate training,” she says. “But I’ve always been interested in instructing, coaching and motivating. My passion was never technology. It has always been fitness.”
Although most of Austin Adventure Boot Camps programs are designed for women, new co-ed boot camps were recently added to their line-up. And let’s face it, if looking good for the opposite sex isn’t enough incentive to punch out those squats, we don’t know what is.
