In this episode of Start Before You’re Ready, Kelly sits down with one of the most important people in her life, longtime friend and honorary family member, Chris Kerns, From a 16‑year‑old “cafe kid” at an American Family Fitness in Richmond to the guy doing burpees in Annapolis after a long night, Chris has always been about movement, hard work, and making everyone around him feel seen. Kelly shares how he became part of the Young family—living in their basement, helping with the boys, and evolving from employee to uncle, brother, and trusted friend.
Chris opens up about the losses that broke him—first his father, then his sister—and how, after completely checking out on life, he was pulled back into purpose through a idea from his best friend Jay: leading a free 6 am Wednesday workout called November Project. He talks about pouring grief into something bigger than himself, showing up in every kind of weather, and helping grow a grassroots movement in Richmond from a handful of people to hundreds each week. Kelly reflects on how her own boot camp became a lifeline during dark seasons, and how both of them found healing and meaning by creating spaces where other people could come to move, connect, and feel alive again.
Together, they trace the parallel lines of their stories: losing their dads weeks apart, relocating, raising kids, building community, and leaning on fitness as therapy for anxiety, nervous energy, and “too many screws loose.” They laugh about late cafe shifts, brutal burpee streaks, KBC parking‑lot creativity, Dude Camp, and Myzone leaderboard rivalries that keep them honest. Most of all, they honor a friendship that neither of them saw coming but now can’t imagine life without—a friendship that has stood beside each of them in the best and worst moments, quietly proving that sometimes the workout, and the person waiting for you at the crack of dawn, really can save your life.
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Let’s connect!
IG: @kellys_bootcamp
My website: https://kellysbootcamp.net/