Meet the Founders of K.O. Collective

It all started with a glass of whiskey and some gangster rap. Sitting on the patio, Tupac in the background, talking life. Then the idea came. To start a place for women to be real, no shame, no judgement, and just go through life together. We have had many clients ask us to do something like this tailored to fitness, and while we absolutely are doing that, our vision was much bigger. Both certified trainers, that is our expertise. We want to offer tailored workouts to meet every woman's specific needs, that can be done from the comfort of your own home. In terms of talking women's life, hard issues, and everything from mom life to hockey-- we aren't experts. We aren't better than anyone else, and we are by no means certified therapists. That being said, we know life is hard. We know the struggles women face and how you need your girl gang. We also know just how diverse and amazing all of you are. So we're going to create a space to talk about it all. We give you guys suggestions and opinions, and you give us yours. We are here to be your girl gang, we have your back, and we want you to know you've got an army of badass chicks. Life is hard, you need your lady tribe. This is a movement of strength--in every meaning of the word.

Emily Bishop

Hello beautiful knockouts. I'm Emily. I feel like my story can start way back when, but honestly, the most important parts started when I found fitness. I began as member at the gym, 255 lbs after my third little girl was born, and absolutely at square one. I laced up, I showed up, and eventually I found kickboxing and fell in love! I had found my soul mate workout. And funny enough, my actual soul mate, my now husband worked at the gym at the time as well. From there, I went on to teach Piyo, weight lifting classes, boot camps, I did one on one training, eventually landing at 9Round Kickboxing, which is where I've been for four years now.

Through it all, I can honestly say, I struggle every day with body image. I was not the small girl growing up, I was the soccer player with the big thighs. I was quick witted and loved music that was not the main stream crap. I stood out, but I always thought it was in a bad way. Becoming a mom, I slowly started to learn what it meant to be comfortable in my own skin, especially since I have 3 daughters, I felt self love was majorly important. But how do I just magically learn that? Well, through time, lots of sweat in the gym, and eventually some kick ass girlfriends, I started to truly understand how to love my body.

I get told all of the time that I am so strong, and that ultimately no one would want to mess with me. I honestly don't know where this reputation came from. My clients would say it's because of my notoriously difficult workouts, and my friends would say that it's because I don't take crap from any one. Truth is, I push others around me to be their best that they can be from the small amounts of times I get with each person, and only because I care so much for others. I found that through this symbiotic dance, I get that in return from others around me. We end up all helping each other.

The Knockout Collective means a celebration of strength to me. Strength in all forms. From the ones who can bench press the weight of a car to the ones who had to find a way to pick up the broken pieces in their lives and continue to walk forward- I want to encourage and help other women through this crazy life. As we press forward with all we have going on in our lives, I hope that being part of the collective gives you a sense of community that will always have your back.

Hannah Spraker

Hey girls! I'm Hannah. Much like Emily I got my start in the fitness industry in group instructing teaching PiYo and then moved on kickboxing fitness and a little yoga as well. If you can't tell by now, I'm a hockey chick through and through. Not only is it my passion, but my career path, and I also write for an NHL magazine. I grew up playing softball and started hockey as an adult. I was never the girly girl growing up. Sure, I played with barbies and loved all things pink, but more often than not I was covered in dirt and scabs from playing with the boys--I guess that's just what happens when you have three brothers. I was also the "chubby kid" growing up. I wasn't unhealthy, I was actually quite strong, but I was always aware that I wasn't the girl that all the guys had crushes on--I was the girl they wanted on their dodgeball team.

Fast forward to 25 years old, a broken engagement, heartbreak, health issues, abusive relationships, and a whole lot of lessons, and I'd rather be the girl someone wants on their team any day of the week. What an honor to have someone look to you for help, to assist, and join together to face whatever opponent there is. As a trainer, I'm often treated like a therapist from clients; and I love that, as I confide in them as well. 2017 was a tough year for me, but in all honesty, it was probably the best year I've ever had, and I thank so many amazing women for helping me through it and I have been honored to help other women in return.

To reiterate what Emily said, the Knockout Collective is a celebration of strength. It is a fitness lifestyle movement tailored to positive body image and showing what real strength is; not only physical but mental, emotional, spiritual--whatever the case. In our many nights hanging out, Emily and I have talked about everything under the sun, and we've been through some gnarly stuff---and we know all of you have to. Our goals reach far beyond fitness. We want to help women, we want to help you feel strong and sexy and amazing, because you are! Women are BADASS. We also wanted to create a safe forum to talk about the tough stuff, because sometimes it's hard to ask for help or advice or whatever it may be that you need.

Again, I'm no expert, we don't claim to be--this is just me and my story that I am excited to share with you--in hopes that maybe I can inspire someone like so many strong women inspired me. As life takes me to Toronto, I'm scared, I'm excited, and I really don't know what to expect. One thing is for sure: I have an army of knockouts behind me cheering me on and that is the greatest asset I have. I'm entering a new chapter of life; capable, willing, and ready, and while you guys might not be moving to another country--I know a lot of you are in a similar stage of life. So whether you are East Coast, West Coast, Canada, Europe, Australia, whatever; let's do this. You guys rock---I pick you all for my girl team!