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Meet Brian Reisenauer of Kilo for Kilo Strength & Conditioning

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Reisenauer.

Brian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began my weightlifting career at age 25. It all started by my introduction to CrossFit, in Fargo, ND. For those of you that have never met me, I’m 5’2” and approximately 130 pounds. I would never be a CrossFit Games athlete. Since I had a very competitive spirit, this realization was tough for me. My box owner noticed this and tried to help build my spirit. She said that I lifted a lot for my size and should give it a try. I agreed.

MY FIRST WEIGHTLIFTING COMPETITION:
The competition was called The Minnesota Open, which is a fantastic local competition in Rochester, MN. I was the only one in my weight class, so I got an automatic first place, which did not exactly lift my spirits. With my competitive nature, I had a new goal in mind, qualifying for the American Open.

I had no coach, and NO IDEA what I was doing. I had never been to or even seen competition, I didn’t know what counting attempts were or how to warm up, nor did I even really know how to count in kilograms. My plan was simple when they call my name, I go lift the weight. Fortunately for me, this ridiculous plan paid off, and I qualified for the American Open by lifting exactly the qualifying weight.

In the months leading up to the American Open, I continued doing CrossFit every day and supplemented with more than usual weightlifting. I flew to the American Open and had done very little to prepare. Still no coach, no warm-up strategy, and no clue what I was doing. I was just going to lift when they called my name. I made weight and walked into the warm-up area and immediately freaked out.

Everyone had at least one or more coaches with them, had claimed a platform for warm-ups, and seemed to know exactly what they were doing. I stood in the back trying to figure out where I could maybe stretch and warm up before I lifted. At this point already you are wondering why I have told you all of this seemingly useless information. I will tell you why right now.

At this very moment at the American open, the way I viewed Olympic weightlifting changed completely and made me believe in what the sport represents. Someone who I didn’t know, never talked to and didn’t know me, asked if I needed help. He offered to coach me at the competition, count my attempts, and get me ready to lift. I didn’t know who this man was and he had only recognized me from my very first weightlifting competition in Minnesota.

I subsequently went on to take 5th in the total at this competition. After the competition, I was adopted by my current weightlifting team, Mash Mafia. In my career I have won the American Open, a National Championship, and taken 9th in the World, I have won several local competitions, and I have bombed out twice at nationals. Yes twice. My career has been filled with successes as well as failures, and that will continue.

The constant is the belief that this sport, the people, and even my opponents all want me to thrive and be successful. The man that helped me at my first American Open is still my coach to this day. I am telling you this because I want to be that person for you. I want to be there for you in your journey, I want to be there for your successes and failures, and I want to be able to help you achieve your goals.

One of my favorite sayings is, “never have someone in your corner who doesn’t think you can win.” My coaches have always believed in my ability to win. I want everyone to have that same feeling in my gym. Only one month ago I have opened my own gym where all are welcome, and they will have someone in their corner who believes that they can win.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been many bumps in my road to where I am — disappointments in both the athletic, coaching and business realm. My first two nationals I was unable to make a lift and failed. I have seen my best lifters as a coach fail and felt like it was my fault that they did not succeed and accomplish their goals.

My first gym location was a disaster and almost made me forget the entire idea. Along with the difficulties of managing to succeed in a doctorate program, it has been difficult to continue to evolve, adapt, and succeed in a never-ending world of challenges.

Please tell us about Kilo for Kilo Strength & Conditioning.
I and my gym are known for utilizing strength training and customized programming for each individual to help them reach their goals in a healthy and safe way.

We strive to give each of our members a quality experience with the best programming, coaching, and direction the country has to offer in a fun, safe place. We are most known for our Olympic Weightlifting team, which has produced four members on Team USA as well as many national level medals.

I am most proud of our current accomplishments but am proud of the direction the business and brand are heading to in the future with big plans to help our local youth get into fitness, weightlifting, and a healthy lifestyle.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have found someone in the business to get mentorship advice from. Find someone who has succeeded in your particular field and learn everything you can from them.

Learn what they would have done differently, their mistakes, their successes, and continue to learn as you develop and create your business.

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Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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