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Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn
What happens when you fight for a year to reclaim the company you built—and finally win?
In this raw, emotional solo episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn breaks her silence and shares the news her community has been waiting for: she's bought back Tone It Up. After founding the company in 2009 at age 27, taking on investors in 2018, navigating a complicated acquisition, and spending the last year in intense negotiations, Karena now owns 100% of Tone It Up—with no investors. She opens up about the highs and lows of private equity, the days she wanted to walk away, why she stayed, and what's coming next for the community. From bringing back fan-favorite trainers to launching the new "Tone It Down" podcast, this episode is both a celebration and a masterclass in resilience. If you've ever fought for something you believed in, rebuilt yourself, or wondered what it takes to start over at 44, this one's for you.
How do you hold on when everything feels like it's falling apart—and what does it take to reclaim what's yours?
Fighting through years of uncertainty, negotiation, and emotional exhaustion proves that resilience isn't about never wanting to quit. It's about staying when every part of you wants to walk away.
(00:00) The Big Announcement
- Why this moment is both exciting and nerve-wracking for her
- The core mission behind Tone It Up: creating a safe, judgment-free community for women
- What The Big Silence is really about: breaking stigmas around mental health and self-development
(03:00) What Happened in 2018? The Investor Story & Growing Pains
- The reality of working with investors: when good intentions don't lead to good relationships
- The emotional toll of the past 7-8 years: days she wanted to walk away vs. days she knew she had to stay
- Growing up with the community: from 27 to 44, supporting each other through motherhood, loss, marriage, divorce, and perimenopause
(07:00) The Year-Long Fight to Get Tone It Up Back
- Why Karena spent the last year behind the scenes in intense negotiations
- The intuition that kept telling her: "I just want it back, big or small."
- How she funded the buyback
(09:30) What's Next: The Future of Tone It Up
- New fitness challenge launching in the Tone It Up app
- The big reunion: Chyna, Stef, and Tori are back and just filmed workouts in Austin, Texas
- New content across all platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram—all socials are back
- Building a home studio to create more fitness content for the community
(12:00) Introducing "Tone It Down" Podcast & How to Participate
- A new podcast launching in January with episodes featuring Tori, Stef, and Chyna
- Solo episodes where Karena will answer community questions
- How to participate: leave voicemails at speakpipe.com/karenadawn
- The Big Silence will focus on mental health and self-development; Tone It Down will be fitness, nutrition, and womanhood
Reconnect with yourself and your community:
We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App. Just download the Tone It Up App at ToneItUp.com/app and we will see you January 5th!
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