110. Olivia Young, Creator of Box + Flow

"Ask the tough questions. Who are you? Who aren't you? What do you want? What don't you want? Be so clear on who, what, where, when, how, why, and don't sacrifice any piece of that puzzle if you want to live a full life." —Olivia Young

Olivia Young is the founder and creator of Box + Flow, a yoga and boxing studio in New York City. But her plan wasn't always to be a heavy-hitter in the fitness industry: Olivia, who grew up in Miami Beach, moved to New York City to attend culinary school and to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. She worked with celebrity chefs and made a name for herself in the restaurant world, all the while waking up crazy early to run, box, and do yoga. Those early-morning passions eventually manifested in what is now Box + Flow. On this episode, Olivia, who was recently named "the woman who is redefining how NYC works out" on the coveted PureWow 100 list, reflects on her career path, her business mistakes, her great successes, what she's afraid of, and what it means to "liv young."

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What you'll get on this episode:

• Why Olivia doesn't bother with fancy workout clothes (3:30)
• What it means to Olivia to "liv young" (5:30)
• Where Olivia got her work ethic, and how not getting a lead role in a musical led to her first disappointment — and changed her life (8:15)
• Why Olivia pursued a career in hospitality, and what culinary school was like (14:00)
• What it was really like working in the restaurant industry (22:00)
• All about Box+Flow, Olivia's fitness studio in NYC (27:00)
• Did Olivia know Box+Flow would be an immediate success? And what does it mean to "flow through the fight?" (31:00)
• Where Liv got her confidence, and what has the power to make her feel insecure (37:00)
• Is it hard working in the restaurant industry and living a healthy lifestyle? And how Olivia feels about the idea of "cheat days" (43:00)
• What Olivia says she's proudest of, what she's afraid of, and how she focuses on being brave (48:45)

What we mention on this episode:

Box + Flow

Lyons Den Power Yoga

King Cole Bar

Polo Bar

Food & Wine Magazine

Natural Gourmet Institute

French Culinary Institute

Two Hands

Raoul's

The Ear Inn

JG Melon

Jack's Wife Freda

Atla

Follow Olivia:

• Instagram @livyoung
• Website
• Blog

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Facebook
• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Blog
• Strava

Listen & Subscribe:

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• Stitcher
• Google Play

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