What happens when your identity as an athlete comes to an end—but your competitive spirit and love for the game don’t? In this powerful episode, Giuliana Pallotta sits down with athlete, turned strength and conditioning coach turned entrepreneur Alena Luciani, founder of Training2XL, to explore the real story behind building a purpose-driven fitness brand.

From sudden personal loss to starting a business before she thought she was “ready,” Alena opens up about navigating grief, burnout, and growth—while serving athletes in both sport and life. You’ll hear how her background shaped her mission, how she scaled Training2XL with integrity, and why finding your niche isn’t about niching down—it’s about showing up fully as yourself.

Whether you’re pivoting careers, building a brand, or figuring out what’s next after sport, this episode will help you see what’s within reach—and inspire you to just start.

Timestamps:

0:00 – “No one will ever care about your business like you do”

1:00 – Welcome to Within Reach

2:00 – Alena’s athletic background and inspiration from her mom

4:00 – The moment that changed everything: losing her father

5:00 – Resigning from her full-time job to go all-in

6:30 – Letting go of limitations and betting on herself

8:00 – Defining her niche: athletes in sport and athletes in life

10:00 – How Training2XL evolved (and keeps evolving)

12:00 – Hiring professionals, staying legit, and staying organized

13:30 – Tools and systems she swears by

15:00 – The loneliness of entrepreneurship and trusting the right people

16:30 – What makes it all worth it: impact and passion

17:30 – How she’s navigating growth—and deciding who to hire next

18:30 – The gift of community, AI, and learning as you go

Notable Quotes:

• “I learned that no one will ever care about your business the way you do. That can feel lonely—but it doesn’t stop me.”
• “Your niche doesn’t have to be narrow—it has to be real.”
• “I wanted Training2XL to be built on a foundation of integrity. So I built it slow. I built it right.”

Resources & Mentions:

• Training2XL: https://www.training2xl.com
• Follow Alena on Instagram: @training2xl
• Chalk Talk Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3EPkXjxGDinicrIVqqqvbW?si=bI7YaPfDSMyBQgAuhmVa4A
• Tools Mentioned: Quick Books, Google Sheets, Spreadsheets for client tracking

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t have to wait until you have a PhD or 20 years of experience to go after your dream.
• Your systems are what make your freedom possible—don’t skip them.
• Hiring the right people (lawyer, accountant, mentor) gives you staying power.
• Niche down by listening to who’s already asking for your help.
• Loneliness is part of entrepreneurship—but so is community. Build both.

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Giuliana Pallotta, Broker

Coldwell Banker Ronan Realty, Brokerage

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