Get to know Adrien Cotton, Owner, Alexandria Wellness
How did Alexandria Wellness Come About?
I’ve spent fifteen years developing my personal definition of wellness while also watching thousands of clients struggle with theirs. Previously, I owned a boutique fitness studio called Fitness on the Run for fifteen years first located out of my home, then moved around Old Town ultimately, settling on North Lee Street. In 2019, I decided to make a change and focus on wellness-inspired programs that take the whole person into account, not just the person completing reps.
Previously, my clients came to my team at times of need - for a particular event or season or just to "look better." As our programs and my personal brand of fitness grew over these years, I knew I wanted to shift my focus to educate clients on their wellness journey - not just the results.
In January, I founded Alexandria Wellness, the home for the Concierge Wellness Program, Corporate Wellness with Adrien Cotton, Virtual Training with Adrien, and Small Group Fitness Foundations + Foundations.
Alexandria Wellness encompasses what I've learned about how to achieve true wellness, fitness, and well-being. My wellness wheel (below) demonstrates the full range of components I passionately pursued myself, and I now use it for my clients.
The old way of approaching health, wellness, weight loss, and contentment with your physical being through calorie restriction and "over-cardio'ing" is deeply flawed, and it permeates our society of "working off" mistakes or adheres to the "deprivation" model.
What I've experienced and researched and found that works for long term wellness are a focused and holistic approach that avoids "short term fixes" and focuses on longer-term and achievable goals. My program includes accountability, coaching, and tons of encouragement in fitness sessions as well as one on one wellness visits, workshops, an interactive online portal, community events and frequent contact.
I am avid about helping others find their definition of wellness and showing them that it is a journey, not a quick fix. I am passionate about physical movement, and my clients appreciate my ability to tailor each fitness or wellness session for their individual needs - where they are that day without a “beat down.” I offer a healthy mix of strength and metabolic or cardio work and ultimately help clients gain real strength - inside and out.
We all benefit from being curious about our bodies and our health. That change or improvement is always within reach despite what your inner voice, or others, may tell you.
I am bubbling with excitement to help others achieve sustainable wellness, weight loss, and contentedness right here in Alexandria!
How It Works:
All of our clients gain access to our Alexandria Wellness online portal with tools to compliment fitness sessions and help them achieve their best fitness, weight, and wellness - for good. These tools include recipes, menus, wellness, and nutrition videos by Adrien and Megan and a wellness-centered community where you receive ongoing support, coaching, educational resources, wellness events, and accountability.
Our premier offering, Concierge Results Program, provides a variety of research-proven tools of accountability, coaching, and support. Throughout the six month program, clients commit to the strategies upon which they will work on the Wellness Wheel. We keep them accountable, hold their hands, provide counsel, and serve as their biggest cheerleader. All concierge packages include either one on one or group fitness sessions with me where we work on getting you as strong as possible as well as wellness visits, frequent accountability, and coaching calls.
Group Fitness + Foundations clients choose between five or eight small group sessions, limited to four, with me. I incorporate all that I would in a one on one session yet provide it for a group with a variety of fitness levels and experience.
Corporate Wellness with Adrien Cotton clients receive access to Alexandria Wellness Portal with online tools as well as interactive group discussions with me about a range of topics. A sample of topics, yet not limited to, are:
What is mindfulness, and how can you develop a practice of it?
Why (Quality and Adequate) Sleep is the key to your Fitness and Wellness?
How Habits Can Help You Find Your Best Health, Wellness, and Fitness – for Good.
How Building Stress Resilience is the key to achieving a wellness life and work-style.
Virtual Training with Adrien - Train in Alexandria, VA, or Alexandria, Egypt, with us! It doesn't matter which one because you can take us with you anywhere with our new online program of workouts made for you to continue to develop your healthiest self!
What makes your business unique?
Like The Loop, there is nothing like Alexandria Wellness in Northern Virginia. We offer fitness and nutrition and much more. We bring in all of the tools you need to reach your wellness, weight loss, and fitness goals.
We offer community, accountability, contact, and a paced program that works. We started in March of 2019 with six concierge members. All have made tremendous progress ranging from significant weight loss to the confidence of "saying no" or developing the routine and habits that lead to a wellness centric lifestyle.
We recognize our programs require an investment of our clients' time: we give it right back to them.
How long have you been in Alexandria?
I moved here after I graduated from St. Mary's of California (Go, Gaels!) in the Summer of 1989. So that is 30 years! You do the math. ;-)
What brought you to The Loop?
It was a difficult decision to close the doors at Fitness on the Run. FOR was a real family, and over half of our clients had been with us for at least five years. But, it was time for a big change. Personal changes in my life, along with my dogged desire to pursue a more holistic wellness business, led me to change my business model significantly, and frankly, my definition of wellness.
My business needs are different now. While I need a gym for my fitness sessions, I also need my own dedicated office for wellness visits, consults, and interviews. I was also seeking a space for my frequent education workshops and events. The Loop is the perfect spot for me and Alexandria Wellness clients!
When Christopher Campagna asked if I'd be interested in partnering on The Loop, there was no question the answer was a resounding "Yes!” I love to watch the careful eye of the Partners Bob and Bob Sr. Pizzano and Christopher work through all of the details to make this the most special office/gym space in Northern Virginia.
What about your space at The Loop is unique?
At the Loop, we will be able to create an authentic culture of wellness. Yes, we will be steps away from a state-of-the-art fitness studio, but we also have an array of tools we can tap into to make our client experience real delight. Our office will be welcoming and spacious, which allows for open dialog and conversations about important personal issues that lead our clients to wellness. We have the beauty of an abundance of natural light throughout our space with several skylights. And we will have an open format to host interactive, educational events that our clients have grown to love.
For me, I’ll be able to "commute" from the gym space to my office in less than ten seconds. And, I get to work with Christopher Campagna. The Loop is perfect for Alexandria Wellness!
What's it like working with the other tenants?
Right now, I'm lucky to have the opportunity to work with three former FOR colleagues, coaches Remi Rory, Jason Knowles, and Marlon Martin, for whom I have tremendous respect. Each of us appreciates a variety of coaching styles.
Working together with Christopher and the Pizzanos (Bob and Bob Sr.) to make The Loop a delight to our customers has been nothing short of a pleasure.
How is The Loop different from other co-working spaces you've seen?
The Loop is the first of its kind to offer an innovative and welcoming shared workspace with a fitness studio as a perk to members. I have seen some beautiful - and not so beautiful - shared workspaces. While we too will have a food component and kitchen area, ours will be a combination of user-friendly along with a vibrant environment. The Loop is a top notch workspace and makes its members feel like they’re at home.
What's your favorite place in Alexandria (Besides The Loop 🙂)
Home! I love to be home with my family. As an entrepreneur, there are no "office hours," and I tend to put in a lot of hours. The Loop is half of the commute as my former gym and workspace, so I can get home earlier to enjoy those I love most. And, I can get in my daily walks in my Beverly Hills neighborhood.
