Katie Lunde is the Owner/Head Coach of Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping, also known as FXB Anthem. She started with the Farrell’s brand when she was living in Denver as a member. While pursuing graduate school for social work, Katie realized that her fitness was taking a back seat and needed a program that could easily integrate into her busy schedule. That’s when she discovered Farrell’s. After being there for a while, a new owner, Ariel Doctoroff, reinvigorated the gym. A few months later, Ariel approached Katie about becoming an instructor, and she gladly accepted. Fast forward a couple of years, Katie decided it was time to bring the Farrell’s brand to Arizona, and that’s how FXB Anthem came to North Phoenix.

If your business could have a mascot, what would it be and why?

If FXB Anthem were to have a mascot, I think it would have to be a dog—though I’m not totally sure what breed. A dog represents friendship, loyalty, and community. It showcases what we value most within our community: our friendships, our support for one another, getting through workouts together, and having fun. One day, my goal is to actually get a dog that could come into the gym with me. It might be a couple of years down the road, but the dog would hang out at the gym and greet our members. So maybe we’ll have a real-life mascot one of these days!

What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance while running your own business?

This is a struggle, as I’m sure most business owners can understand, but it is important to prevent burnout. I can tell when I’m not doing a good job creating this balance during a week or month because I start to feel the burnout. What I’ve learned over time is to prioritize some “me time.” I try to have a little each day during the week and then protect a few hours on the weekends. If I know I have something personal outside the gym on the weekend, I give myself that time and make up for it during the week, ensuring I get everything done before taking that time for myself. Sometimes the balance gets a little wonky—it’s nearly impossible to keep it totally even—but I try to offset it the next day or week. I also view it as a necessity to do my job well. I need recovery time so that when I am at the gym, I can be fully present for my members.

When faced with unexpected detours on your business path, how do you pivot with grace and resilience, showing fellow women entrepreneurs the way forward?

Unexpected detours, letdowns, and barriers are part of the job, so knowing that going in and managing it in a way that works for you is key. I try to keep my poise and grace while in front of my members, in the community, or when working with potential clients. However, I also make sure to have a time, place, and person to vent frustrations. I allow myself to feel the emotions and then work on finding the best path forward. Having a sounding board—whether it’s people in my industry, those who offer a new perspective, or just family and friends who care about me—is crucial. Leaning on my support system, especially in the early years of running a business, has been important. Without people in my corner, staying resilient would have been difficult. Find your people, lean on them when times are tough, and remember to have some fun along the way.

How do you measure the success of your business beyond financial metrics, such as customer satisfaction or community engagement?

I use the satisfaction, engagement, and progress that my members make as my biggest metric. Even if the financial metrics aren’t exactly where I want them to be—especially in the first year—I prioritize ensuring that my members are happy, included, motivated, and progressing toward their goals. When someone tells me how FXB Anthem has positively impacted their life, that’s a win for me, and that’s what success looks like.

Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed significant growth or transformation in your business, illustrating the impact of your services/products?

One of the biggest success stories is from one of my founding members, April. In December 2022, April called me as we were promoting the gym’s opening in January 2023. She shared her struggles with weight loss and maintaining consistency. After a great conversation, she was still worried about not sticking with it. I told her that I totally understood but encouraged her to give it a try. She decided to join and, to this day, has been one of my most consistent members, attending the 5:15 a.m. class unless she’s sick, traveling, or working. In the 18 months she’s been with us, April has lost over 70 pounds, her blood work has drastically improved, she’s learned to nourish her body, and she’s found a community. April’s story is why FXB Anthem exists and why I keep showing up, even on days when I’m exhausted. It’s for people like her and everyone else in the community who need a program that sticks.

What role do you believe mentorship plays in the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial journey?

Having mentors is super important. Mentors share their mistakes, victories, what worked, what didn’t, and how they kept going. For entrepreneurs, having mentors is crucial to success. You can’t know everything, and in reality, you’re stepping out of your comfort zone to do something new, which can be scary. That doesn’t mean you won’t succeed, but mentors can make the journey a bit easier by guiding you through it.

What’s your work all about, and how does it make a difference in the world?

My job is to help people improve their lives through health, wellness, and community support. At Farrell’s, we meet people where they are. Not everyone grew up knowing how to do a proper squat or throw a punch, but we adapt our program to suit any age, fitness level, or physical limitation. We provide a space where members feel accepted, can de-stress, and look forward to attending. We aim to shift the mindset from “I have to work out” to “I get to work out.” Regular exercise, proper nutrition, and community connection positively impact your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. While physical health may be a key focus, it’s about so much more than that!

Social Links
Website: www.fxbanthem.com
Facebook and Instagram: @fxbanthem