CALEIGH RYKISS ON GRIT, GRACE + WHAT’S NEXT
Let’s talk grit. Let’s talk reinvention. Let’s talk about navigating life’s plot twists like the powerful main character you are. I had the absolute joy of sitting down with longtime friend (and fellow Winnipeg native!) Caleigh Rykiss—a powerhouse entrepreneur, former senior producer at E-Talk, competitive boxer, and the visionary behind Toronto’s beloved wellness hub, BOLO (short for “Body Love”).
THE UNEXPECTED ROAD TO REINVENTION
Caleigh’s story is anything but linear—and that’s what makes it so powerful. From her days in music school (she thought she’d be a pop star!) to working in retail, producing entertainment television, and finally opening one of Toronto’s most inclusive and empowering fitness spaces, Caleigh has continuously followed her instincts. Her journey is the reminder we all need: there is no “right” path—only the one that feels most aligned.
After discovering boxing on a dare from a friend, Caleigh quickly fell in love with the sport—not because of how it changed her body, but how it made her feel. Strong. Grounded. Empowered. It became a major catalyst for healing her relationship with fitness, food, and self-worth.
BUILDING BOLO: THE DREAM GYM THAT CHANGED THE GAME
From there, the vision for BOLO was born. What if there was a space where you could get a killer workout, connect with a community, grab a nourishing smoothie, take a meeting, and even get a blowout… all under one roof? Spoiler: she built it.
BOLO became more than a fitness studio. It was a space where the culture was just as important as the workouts. Language around body image was thoughtfully curated. Trainers were intentional. Members felt seen and safe. It was a vibe.
And with a team of 45 at its peak, Caleigh discovered a new love: leadership. She created a culture rooted in values, positivity, and purpose—one so strong, it radiated beyond the studio and into the broader Toronto fitness and wellness scene.
WHEN THE WORLD SHIFTED: A PAINFUL GOODBYE & POWERFUL LESSONS
Then came 2020.
Like so many brick-and-mortar businesses in fitness, food, and beauty, BOLO was hit hard by the pandemic. Caleigh made the incredibly difficult—but courageous—decision to close. Rather than go into debt or take investor money when the future was uncertain, she chose to close with integrity.
Was it heartbreaking? Absolutely. But was it failure? Not even close.
Caleigh reminds us that how you end something matters. BOLO made a lasting impact, and its energy still lives on in Toronto’s wellness scene. And after years of grinding, she took the time she needed to heal. With therapy, deep reflection, and trusted mentors, she started untethering her identity from her business and rediscovering who she was without the title.
REINVENTION, ROUND 2
Now? Caleigh is helping other entrepreneurs rise. Consulting, coaching, creating—she’s taken every lesson from BOLO and is sharing it with those bold enough to dream. She’s also becoming reacquainted with her gut instinct—that deep inner knowing that guided her when she launched BOLO in the first place. Only now, she’s got data, spreadsheets, experience, and a whole lot of wisdom to go with it.
And yes—brick-and-mortar isn’t off the table. In fact, Caleigh is slowly stepping back into that space, this time with even more intention and alignment.
THE JOY OF FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS & CURATED COMMUNITY
A major theme that came through our convo? The power of community. Caleigh has cultivated a sisterhood of high-vibe, high-achieving women who cheer each other on, collaborate, co-elevate, and have real conversations—about marriage, ambition, business, and life. From social media connections to pandemic Zooms to in-person masterminds, she’s created (and continues to create) space for women to connect meaningfully.
Whether it's walking meetups or real talk at brunch, she’s passionate about curating environments where women can drop the comparison game and just be. And her advice for those craving that kind of connection? Say yes to the “cringey” events. Go to the coffee meetups. Smile at strangers in spin class. Be energetically open. That’s where the magic happens.
OH, AND SHE HAS A PODCAST TOO (YOU’LL LOVE IT!)
Because of course she does! Caleigh and her longtime bestie Danielle Graham (former E-Talk host) launched In Three, a juicy, hilarious, smart podcast all about pop culture, celeb gossip, and behind-the-scenes tea—served with the wisdom of two women who’ve actually been in the room. It’s nostalgic, fresh, and FUN. Within two weeks of launching, they hit #1 on the Canadian podcast charts. No big deal.
And here’s what’s extra juicy: Caleigh had been pouring time, energy, and money into a big project that just wasn’t flowing. It felt heavy. Blocked. Full of red lights. Then she launched In Three, and it was green lights everywhere. That intuitive shift reminded her (and us!) that sometimes the thing that lights us up is the thing worth following—even if it wasn’t the original plan.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Caleigh might not have all the answers, but what she does have is vision, resilience, and a rock-solid belief that it’s all happening exactly as it should. Whether it’s more podcasts, pop-ups, or her next great brick-and-mortar adventure, one thing’s clear: the best is still ahead.
Want more Caleigh? Follow her @caleighfit and check out In Three wherever you get your podcasts (and definitely watch the video version on YouTube—it’s as fun as it sounds).
And if you loved this episode, slide into my DMs @AlliArruda and tell me your favorite part. We’re building something special here, and I’m so happy you’re part of it.