Get to know our new community coordinator, Amos Buelow, and learn more about memberships!

Tell us a little about your background and what brought you here.

Over the last 4 years, I’ve been working mostly online in the coaching industry, and before that, I was working as a manager at 9 Round. That was really my first intro to the Sioux Falls community. I’ve worked at a few gyms, and you get to know a lot of people quickly, from all parts of town. I moved to Sioux Falls because my wife, Kelsey, was here, and I’m so happy I did because it’s an awesome community. It feels like the first place that was actually my home — when people ask me where I'm from I just say the Midwest because I've lived all over. This position helps me stake my flag and say, “This is where my roots are now.”

There came a point, though, when I wanted to help people with more than just fitness and expand the conversations I was having with people.

I grew up in a pastor’s home, and that did two things for me. It made me very aware of people who are underserved or need support, whether that’s emotionally or support as in ‘What’s the next step? What’s an action step to move forward?’ I’m very aware of that, and I love being around people and community building. The other thing it did for me was that I learned a lot about entrepreneurship. A pastor is a very entrepreneurial position — they wear so many hats and serve so many people.

I started my own business in health & leadership coaching. The business is called Man of Character, and it’s about being a strong male leader for your wife, your family, the church and the community, in that order. That got me into online coaching, which really taught me how to build culture and community both virtually and in person. It gave me skills in sales and all the different softwares, and I learned a lot in a short amount of time. 

When Kelsey started her business, (Wonderfully Made Co.) I stepped back and just kept a couple online things going for myself to allow her the time to grow her business. The timing was perfect for Kelsey to grow her business and for me to care for our daughter, Charlotte. 

Once this position presented itself, I realized it was time for me to spread my wings, and triple down on my connections, my experiences, my skill sets, and finally plant my roots in one place.

You’ve got a full-time job, a side business, a family, and your wife runs a business, too. How do you balance it all?

The number one thing is my faith, easily. Looking back, I’ve always been taken care of, and I’ve been extremely blessed, and that’s an easy track record to look back on when it comes to hope and confidence in the future. Each step leads to what’s necessary, so I really don’t get too worried about anything for that reason. 

I’ve always been someone that’s able to give people attention when they require attention, even if it changes my day or schedule. What that really comes down to is being present in each moment. When I'm with Charlotte, I'm with her. When I'm with Kelsey, I’m doing my best to ask how her day is, listen to her and give her the support that she needs. It’s about being in each moment and actually carrying it out where it needs to go. 

“Busy-ness” definitely got into the culture of our house, but you have to take a stand. When your life doesn’t reflect your core values, it has to be addressed, it needs to be acted upon. So, I don’t cater to the ‘Seize the day’ or ‘Act like this is the last year of your life,’ hustle mentality. It only burns you out. I got to see that happening all the time, in the coaching industry. Coaches would burn themselves out in one or two years, just working so hard to get clients. 

The nicest thing with my business is that it holds me to a higher standard and helps me check in with myself. I’m teaching others how to be calm, how to be strategic and how to be in it for the long haul vs. the short spark. 

What are you most looking forward to in your role? 

I look forward to it all. I’m someone who craves a wide range of responsibilities, interactions and environments throughout the day, and what I get in my position is 40 percent people-based activities — networking, directional/wayfinding meetings, consulting, events, talking about memberships, talking to organizations and donors — and 60 percent doing the activities you need to do to fulfill these responsibilities.

I enjoy community building, in both virtual and in-person spaces. And I look forward to continuing to build the ecosystem — people, organizations and resources — and making it easier to navigate, so people can connect with what Sioux Falls has to offer.