Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericka Darst.
Hi Ericka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From corporate cubicle life to barefoot business owner! In 2008, my sister asked me to try a kettlebell class with her at a local gym in my hometown of Superior, Wisconsin. At the time, I wasn’t into strength training or fitness classes, so this was a completely new experience for me. I vividly remember that first kettlebell class and I can honestly say I was hooked immediately! I had been working as a print production artist for a company based in Duluth, Minnesota and I started taking my lunches at the end of the day to make it to my kettlebell classes in the early evenings. I was kettlebell training 2–3 times a week and loved the challenge of the skills and the energy of my classes.
After a company-wide layoff in 2010, I went back to school to pursue my Marketing degree and was asked to instruct kettlebell classes at a new gym opening in Superior. During that time, I completed my first Russian Kettlebell Challenge certification and continued to instruct kettlebell classes while finishing my degree. In 2013, I moved to Minneapolis and instructed kettlebell at studios in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
I continued to work in freelance graphic design and marketing, but my love for instructing kettlebell kept growing, along with additions to various training certifications and the creation of Bells & Beers events (kettlebell classes hosted at local breweries in the Twin Cities).
My passion for coaching motivated me to say good-bye to desk jobs for good and dive deeper into the fitness industry — specifically functional movement, kettlebell and barbell training. I’m so thankful I made that decision, as it’s ultimately what lead to the birth of EDK Training and has grown to be an awesome online kettlebell training community!
I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Pre/Postnatal Strength Coach, Elite StrongFirst Kettlebell, Barbell & Bodyweight Instructor, Functional Movement Specialist, Owner of EDK Training and Founder of Bells & Beers. I also have bachelor’s degrees in Graphic Design/Art History and Marketing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Business ownership is both extremely rewarding and challenging… With so many fitness offerings out there, it can be a challenge to stand out and keep students engaged. It’s important to me to stay true to the EDK mission of delivering affordable strength training options to as many students as possible.
Closing the door to my Uptown, Minneapolis studio location (in April 2020 during the Covid lockdown) was heartbreaking. But, that closure opened up the door to a new EDK “Virtual Studio” environment and I was determined to keep my students going strong both mentally and physically from home.
My physical location in the city wasn’t always convenient for local students trying to make their training sessions on time with traffic, parking and blizzards during the MN winter months! Switching to online, those factors are not really an issue any longer and for me personally, I’m able to coach and train from home and spend more time with my family.
Working with students virtually across the US and globally has been an incredible boost over the past year and a half. As much as I truly miss the old Uptown studio and seeing students in person, the connections I’ve made with students in a variety of locations is beyond valuable to me and has helped EDK grow. Additionally, the online platform has given me more flexibility managing my business while caring for my young son and I’m so thankful for this.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
EDK is an Online/Virtual Studio. Our primary focus is teaching Virtual Kettlebell Classes, offering live group training sessions five days a week via Zoom. EDK is known for traditional hardstyle kettlebell training methods, combining mobility, stability and strength. Offering Single Sessions, 12-Class Packs and an Unlimited Monthly Class Membership + Virtual Recordings, our classes are instructed by three certified coaches (based in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa) with expertise in kettlebell, barbell and bodyweight skills and programming. EDK also offers Customized Individual Online Training programs and Remote Individual Training sessions.
Our attention to detail while coaching and structured classes set us apart. We see our students and strive to provide an in-studio experience from a distance. EDK classes are progressive and help students learn foundation skills essential for building sustainable strength through safe and effective training methods. EDK sessions are considered constructive practice—we avoid burn-out, coach the value of appropriate rest and keep sessions realistic, casual and comfortable.
Every student is a “Bell Boss” with EDK Training. We are so proud of our students and the dedication to practice and consistency required to experience positive change. EDK encourages and supports all students, all skill levels and all locations.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking… If I think back on my first kettlebell class experience, that was a risk in itself! It was new to me and I had no clue what I was doing, but it was a pretty reasonable risk to take to try something different and learn how to do it correctly. Plus, it was the first step on a path that has led me to take on bigger risks and experience greater rewards. Quitting my last media design job to focus entirely on my business felt a little scary, but I also knew it was the right choice. I wasn’t happy going into an office and sitting at a desk every day. In the back of my head, I kept thinking, “I have a business. Why am I not focusing on it?” Giving up a steady paycheck was a risk I was willing to take to devote more time to EDK. I knew I would have to work harder and longer days, but I did it and I haven’t looked back.
I think risk-taking requires putting a sensible amount of pressure on yourself to acknowledge what is holding you back and what the potential outcome could be… Seriously weigh the risk/reward. I like to say, “You won’t know until you give it a go.” I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today if I didn’t take a few risks along the way!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.edktraining.com/
- Instagram: @edktrainingmn | @erickadarst
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EDKtrainingMN/
