Jill Stein Lipset2015 Rising Alumni
Jill Stein Lipset opened The Power House at Highland & Side Door Cross Fit in 2013 with her husband, Max. In an 8000 sq ft facility, they train about 60 people per day in one on one and group settings with a mission of working together with individuals and communities to discover their healthiest and most powerful selves. By integrating her core values and educational experience into her business, Jill has co-created a unique gym experience at The Power House where the emphasis is on the holistic development of each person. The Power House has one of the most sophisticated youth strength and conditioning programs in the state through which Jill leads free seminars that address the social, emotional, mental, and spiritual components of being a youth athlete.
Employer
Owner/Coach
The Power House at Highland
& Side Door Cross Fit
CEHD Degree
M.Ed., Youth Development Leadership
What's your favorite memory from the University of Minnesota?
So many come to mind! During my time as a student and employee, I loved that at any moment I could take part in a mind-boggling variety of educational and enriching activities, lectures, and events. My first day of class with Mike Baizerman was memorable, when I felt like I entered a whole new realm of consciousness. I had never been asked to think like that before. Philosophy Camp showed me a new way of living with other people and reflecting on a life worth living. Working at the Institute on the Environment and learning about savvy, effective, and important ways of communication and design.
What was the impact and benefit of your educational experience in CEHD?
My graduate work experience in the YDL program informs me daily on how to greet each person with new eyes and meet them where they are at. It is a perfect perspective in the fitness world, where people are regularly outside their comfort zones and faced with vulnerability and opportunities for growth. Professionally, my CEHD work has prepared me well to digest and interpret research in the industry and write effectively and emphatically. My educational experience taught me about perseverance and leaps of faith, and creating small pockets of change within a greater societal context.
What gets you excited about work?
So many things. The first conversations I get to have with people when they tell me, "I need to change my life." And then we are able to start working with them, and I get to watch that transformation happen. Watching our kids cheer each other on during the tough workouts and the smile on their faces when they've hit a PR (personal record). And giving our coaches the opportunity to make a living doing something they love.
When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?
Actually work out in our gym! It is amazing how hard it can be to exercise when you own the gym. In general though, I try to spend my free time doing things that recharge me and remind me of my passion for the mind-body-spirit experiences we aim to provide for people. Those usually include working out, reading novels, spending time outdoors, and making my two year old laugh.
What skills are important to succeed as an emerging professional today?
A real sense of self-awareness and an understanding of one's own leadership style is very important. The ability to give and receive honest and constructive feedback is critical to growth as a professional. I have also learned that by deeply and actively listening, rather than pushing my own agenda, I am able to discover creative solutions that I otherwise would not have seen. Writing and communication skills certainly do not hurt, either.
Outside of your job, how do you grow professionally?
My roles as a parent, gym owner, and spouse to the other owner of the gym pretty much blend all realms of my life. To keep all that in balance, I grow professionally by working on personal development tools like communication skills and stress management. I feel like I have to 'walk the talk'. So if I am not in a good place, my work at The Power House feels less authentic and transformational. We also have the opportunity to host seminars and workshops on fitness, which are excellent professional development opportunities. I watch a lot of You Tube videos and read articles in journals as well.