The Grizzly Life Podcast

Episode 118 is all about momentum, business growth, and big-picture thinking. Colton breaks down the excitement behind Priority Fitness officially getting its new warehouse, the business lessons that came with the process, and why this next step feels like a full-circle moment. He also touches on discipline, personal routines, and the importance of making time for life outside of work.

Episode 117 is about discipline, self-awareness, and getting out of your own way. Colton talks about the importance of doing what you say you’re going to do, building confidence through consistency, and stopping the habit of caring too much about what other people think. He also shares why growth starts when you get uncomfortable, reflect honestly, and focus on winning the day one step at a time....

Episode 116 is about what it really means to become a rockstar on a team. Colton breaks down the difference between simply showing up for a paycheck and becoming someone a business can truly rely on. He talks about ownership, accountability, communication, and why the most valuable people are the ones who solve problems, step up, and think bigger than their job title. He shares lessons on: What se...

Episode 115 is a real, unfiltered conversation about growth, mindset, and why too many people stay stuck because they focus on cost instead of value. Colton opens up by sharing a rough start to the day—getting hit with chills, lack of sleep, a pounding headache, and still choosing to show up and record anyway. From there, he builds on the previous episode’s message about lifelong learning and chal...

Back from Florida and recharged, Colton dives into a high-energy episode covering growth, mindset, and what it really means to keep leveling up. He shares updates on the Grizzly Baraboo training studio relaunch, including rebuilding from the ground up and creating a fresh vision for success. From there, the episode shifts into a powerful message on learning, self-improvement, and staying open-mind...

Episode 113 is a raw, real-time reflection on accountability, perspective, and what truly matters. After missing his usual release schedule, Colton records this episode on the go—not to be perfect, but to stay consistent and hold himself accountable. That moment sets the tone for a deeper conversation around discipline, ownership, and not letting small slip-ups turn into bigger patterns. He then s...

Episode 112 is a real, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to build a business while juggling everything else in life. Colton kicks things off by walking through a chaotic morning—from early workouts and team meetings to unexpected interruptions that completely threw off his plan. Instead of forcing perfection, he leans into a key mindset: adapt, stay flexible, and keep moving forward...

In this episode, Colton shares his thoughts on the rising popularity of peptides and GLP-1s, breaking down why they can be a powerful tool when used correctly—and why quality, guidance, and accountability matter. He then dives into a practical conversation on productivity, explaining the difference between being busy and actually getting meaningful work done, along with simple strategies to struct...

In this episode, Colton shares his experience attending a three-day public speaking school in Rhode Island and the lessons he took away from stepping outside his comfort zone. He breaks down what the training was like, from learning how body language, storytelling, and first impressions impact a speaker to practicing short speeches in front of a room full of gym owners. Colton talks about the nerv...

In this episode, Coach Kimber takes over the podcast to sit down with three inspiring members of the Grizzly community—Heidi, Patti, and Linda—also known as the “Golden Grizzlies.” Together they share their journey through Grizzly’s personal training program and how consistency, friendship, and determination have helped them complete over 200 workouts. They talk about their decades-long friendship...

In this episode, Colton shares a walk-and-talk about leadership, balance, and managing multiple businesses at once. As the gyms, Priority Fitness, and the new bar and restaurant continue to grow, he explains how trusting your team, developing leaders, and delegating responsibility are key to keeping everything moving forward. He also talks about making decisions with logic instead of emotion, thin...

Colton shares updates from behind the scenes of life, business, and personal growth as he settles back into a routine after several intense weeks building the restaurant. He talks about getting back into workouts, prioritizing reading again, and preparing for an upcoming public speaking workshop in Rhode Island. Inspired by Dale Carnegie’s The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking , Colton refl...

Episode 106 is a behind-the-scenes catch-up on where Colton’s head is at after a hectic month of seven-day weeks and nonstop restaurant weekends. He shares what’s coming next for the podcast—including a new interview-style episode led by Coach Kimber featuring the “Golden Grizzlies,” Berlin training clients who’ve stacked 200+ sessions and completely changed their quality of life. Colton also give...

Episode 105 is a mindset-driven solo episode from Colton focused on getting out of your own way and stopping the habit of caring what everyone else thinks. He reflects on how a full year of podcasting, consistent posting, and showing up imperfectly has built confidence, clarity, and momentum in his life and businesses. Colton challenges listeners to start the thing they’ve been putting off—whether...

Episode 104 marks one full year of The Grizzly Life Podcast—two episodes a week for 52 weeks. Colton shares a quick anniversary update and recaps key takeaways from his Orlando mastermind trip, including powerful lessons on customer experience, employee retention, and building a team-first culture. He breaks down insights from Joey Coleman on creating an onboarding experience that prevents “new jo...

In Episode 103 of The Grizzly Life Podcast, Colton shifts back into the fitness basics and talks through a topic that’s often overlooked: how to warm up, cool down, and stretch the right way. He breaks down dynamic vs. static stretching, when each actually matters, and why taking a few extra minutes before and after your workout can make a big difference long term—especially as you get older. Colt...

In Episode 102 of The Grizzly Life Podcast, Colton reflects on nearly a full year of releasing two episodes a week and what the process has taught him about growth, discomfort, and learning through action. He talks about why doing something new and challenging—like starting a podcast—forces personal development, sharper communication, and better leadership. Colton shares honest updates on balancin...

Episode 101 is a short, audio-only check-in from Colton as he pushes through being sick while staying committed to releasing two episodes a week. He talks honestly about being in a different phase right now—fully invested in building Grizzlies while some of his usual routines like consistent workouts, reading goals, steps, and sleep have taken a temporary hit. Instead of pretending everything is p...

Episode 100 is a milestone moment and a thank-you from Colton to everyone who’s supported The Grizzly Life Podcast from day one. He reflects on the journey from episode one to now, why the podcast is still about growth and practice, and how even one listener being impacted makes it all worth it. Colton shares a powerful mindset reminder about reconnecting with curiosity, imagination, and the willi...

Episode 99 is a quick, behind-the-scenes Grizzy's update from Colton as the first weeks of new ownership get rolling. He shares how the bar/restaurant has taken over his headspace, why he “failed” 75 Hard after celebrating, and what he’s learning about balancing big goals with real life. Colton walks through major early priorities: deep-cleaning and reorganizing the kitchen, upgrading tools an...

Episode 98 is a short solo reflection from Colton focused on two core ideas: identity and wisdom. He breaks down how the labels you give yourself shape your behavior, habits, and follow-through—and why saying “I can’t” becomes a self-fulfilling limit. Colton explains how committing mentally (and verbally) to your actions builds discipline and credibility, both with yourself and others. He then shi...

Episode 97 is a behind-the-scenes update from Colton recorded inside the newly rebranded Grizzy's Diner & Tavern (formerly Izzy’s). He breaks down how the deal came together, what closing day looked like, and why this project fits the bigger Grizzly vision even though it’s outside the gym world. Colton shares his “customer-first” mindset and explains why stepping into a new industry helps...

Episode 96 is a solo update from Colton covering major behind-the-scenes moves at Grizzly. He shares progress on the new headquarters and podcast studio, announces the acquisition and rebrand of Izzy’s Dockside to Grizzy's in Berlin, and explains how this new venture is sharpening his customer-first mindset. Colton also breaks down improvements across gym locations, the rollout of an AI-powere...

In Episode 95 of The Grizzly Life Podcast , Colton sits down with special guest Sandra Frye, an Appleton-area paramedic and Army National Guard combat medic. Sandra shares her journey from growing up rural to navigating college, joining the military, and finding her calling in EMS. They talk about discipline, response time, community first responders, and what it’s really like working 12-hour shif...

In Episode 94 of The Grizzly Life Podcast, Colton sits down with Jacob Colburn — founder of O Town Iron and Colton’s business partner — to unpack the real story behind building a gym from scratch. Jacob walks through growing up in Oshkosh, going to UW–Madison, falling in love with the culture at MadTown Fitness, and how a “what if we opened a gym?” idea during Country USA turned into a full-blown...