We all know I’m a total exercise addict, but because of this addiction, my body needs some extra TLC. I work out for 2 hours most days at Tracy Anderson, and the heavy impact is hard on my legs and feet. Most times I have a physical therapist friend who helps with cupping and deep tissue massage, however she has been traveling, and I needed a new place to turn to. Amanda Freeman, recently opened her new business, Stretch’d http://stretchdspace.com, a beautiful, open, airy space dedicated to stretching the body to eliminate aches and pains, and get the body aligned. She has an incredible staff, that know the body well, and you leave feeling loose and relaxed. They use both their hands and machines like the TheraGun to get deep into the achey places. Amanda is no stranger to the wellness world, as she also founded SLT years ago. She’s really onto something, and I know both men and women could benefit from the various treatments at Stretch’d.
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
We have been in business for 5 months.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
I began my career as a trend forecaster studying the consumer behavior of Generation X & Millenials. Twelve years ago, I worked on a trend we called the "Rise of Well-consciousness" and ever since I’ve been a serial wellness entrepreneur. My first wellness endeavor was a healthy living daily e-newsletter called Vital Juice. RIP! We delivered the latest information in fitness, nutrition, beauty and wellness to the inboxes of over 250,000 women. I got so obsessed with boutique fitness that in 2011, I opened my own studios called SLT. Nearly 7 years later, we’re opening our 25th location later this month.
The idea for Stretch*d came from my observations of the fit folks around me who were spending an average of 5 days a week engaged in high impact workouts and suffering from injuries. As a society, we’ve been so focused on working out (and living) to the max, but forgetting about recovery. I had observed in my studios, as well as at others, that clients often skipped out of classes before the stretch at the end. Yet, when these same people worked out one-on-one with a trainer, they relished the last 5 minutes when they’d get stretched out. Thus, Stretch*d was born.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
There are other companies that offer one-on-one assisted stretch services, however I believe we’ve created a best-in-class training program and stretch protocol. I also believe we offer the best customer experience. We’ve created a premium brand and space that goes beyond basic stretch services. Lastly, we also offer in-home and office stretch.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
The key to success in NYC is the combination of offering a reliably outstanding service that delivers results, along with creating a brand people want to be a part of.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
We make them feel better, provide them a respite from their daily activities and offer them a better quality of life.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I am driven by offering clients a service that makes them happy and healthy. I love getting positive feedback and hearing the impact it’s making on people’s lives. I hate negative feedback, but am open to learning from it.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
Hmm…hard to keep anything great a secret in NYC these days. Souen isn’t a secret, but it’s my fave Macrobiotic eating spot that most people dismiss as too healthy. I could pour their carrot ginger dressing on anything and happily eat it.
How do you benefit mamas?
Stretch*d is an amazing service for a mom. We lug our kids around, tote heavy handbags and juggle so much that are bodies are screaming for relief. Stretch*d is that relief and respite from a busy day. We are also a safe and effective pampering experience for expecting moms.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
We’ve been getting awesome feedback from both men and women alike. However, most striking are the rave reviews from many of the male clients. Some are fitness-enthusiasts, but many have just been looking for an antidote to the wear and tear of sitting at a desk all day and not feeling like there are many pampering options geared towards men.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field.
I love FaceLove for a heavenly face massage and tenoverten for a non-toxic mani/pedi.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
My mantra is “More, Worse”. It’s a long story, but probably the most valuable thing I can share, so I’m gonna tell it and you can cut or edit as you see fit.
During a class I took at Harvard Business School called Women Building Businesses, I was struck by a common occurrence I saw happen with nearly every female CEO who spoke to our class. They were all incredibly successful in their careers at the expense of their personal lives. When asked about their “work/life balance,” nearly all of them broke down in tears because they had decided to, as one CEO put it, “Do less, better.” They chose focus on one area of their life (their career) and knock it out of the park, and that was always what being a killer CEO of a Fortune 500 company meant.
I was so struck by the regret I saw in these women, that I made the decision to “Do more, worse.” I no longer wanted to be CEO of a giant company if it meant forgoing some of the personal experiences I also wanted to have like having kids, being in a relationship, being a present mom/friend/sister, etc. I would rather have what I like to call “abundant mediocrity”. I am willing to be less than perfect if it means not missing out on the important things in life.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
I shower at night after my kids are asleep and air dry my hair.