Serial entrepreneur Kodi Kitchen Berg, a former model and soap opera actress, founded Equipt after realizing weights on the market didn’t appeal to her eye for design or fit what she needed. Traditional weights evoked in her a feeling of dread. As a lover of movement and a new mom with limited time, she was looking for something easy and beautiful she could pick up at home to stretch, move, and tone. Strapping her young daughter to her chest, she started hanging out at Home Depot and in steel yards, learning how to bend metal and educating herself on how things are made. The result was the Ubarre, a tool to replace your dumbbell, kettlebell, yoga block, and Pilates ring, all depending on where you grip it. The patented design is shaped like a U, making it ergonomic, multi-faceted, and appealing to the eye. She also created Uwraps, stylish ankle and wrist weights you can use on the go. Throughout the process, she found that creating equipment that is both functional and design-forward was her passion and made her excited to work out again.
A cowgirl from Wyoming at heart, Berg is now based full time in Ojai, CA, where she and her husband also own an ice cream shop. She sees ice cream and movement as a life in balance, highlighting her philosophy on creating healthy habits and joy. Her ethos of “no leggings required” and “minutes of movement” in between life’s busy moments are what drive her to continue to create, whether it be dreaming up new ice cream flavors or stylish workout products. Here, she shares how she creates balance in her busy life.
What does wellness mean to you?
Conscious living. There are times I want that extra martini, and there are times I want my matcha. Being aware of how you are spending your time, what you are putting into your body, and expectations you are putting on yourself as it relates to the self, work, and others is crucial. It helps to avoid as much disappointment as possible because you are conveying what you need—a burger, some time together, or nose-to-the-grindstone work. It also aids in that excess consumption of whatever it may be.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
Hiking! I love being outside in nature. I will often strap my Uwraps on and hit the mountains, even for 20 minutes. It is the best reset. We did our first EQUIPT hiking morning, and it was awesome.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
I am a bit of a glutton when it comes to fitness. I love Pilates, cardio dance, hitting the gym, and hiking. I’m definitely more of a buffet-of-fitness kind of gal. Each thing satiates a different need.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
I’m smoothie obsessed, especially with all the things in them. I make them for my daughter. When she was little, and even now, we do the smoothie dance, which is basically a crazy dance done while the smoothie is blending to make us laugh. I love adding all the things for the maximum nutrition, such as avocado, kale, bee pollen, protein, creatine, and the list goes on and on. (ie: maca, flax, chia, spirulina.)
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
I love a good beverage, from NA to alcoholic. I’d say the one thing always in my fridge is sparkling water. I add lemons and oranges. Tilden is a go to NA drink and sometimes some tequila and local citrus. I add some local herbs and citrus, and whether it is sparkling, with or without tequila, I am good to go.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
So, I have to say, starting my company with zero-business acumen. I knew I wanted a new approach to movement when I became a mother. I needed it to be more accessible and provide the instant gratification of feeling good. This didn’t replace long-form movement yet, as I have evolved on this journey. I started rolling out new products because I saw the need. I spend a lot of time and money on product development and have great people helping. When I hear that the products and message for movement resonate with someone, I get very excited.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
My mom. She is the living embodiment of what to me is wellness inside and out. She prioritizes family, friendships, and often you will find her hiking the mountains as well. She does yoga and Pilates, you name it. That was a big part of why I started EQUIPT, because I saw her approach to movement. She primarily eats local vegetables, yet isn’t scared to hit the wine tasting. She has a beautiful, balanced approach to life.
Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?
Don’t overthink it. I love the gym and Pilates, yet there will be long periods of time where my movement is found in a slip dress, some EQUIPT, and a few songs of movement. And it counts. It’s habit stacking your movement throughout the day.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
Although raised in Ojai and living there now, I am originally from Wyoming. I love to go up and see the wide-open skies, which just gives this humbling feeling. There is beautiful hiking, yet the majority of the time, we saddle up and go trail cows, hit the rodeo, or just enjoy the gift of being on horseback.
What is your favorite self-care routine?
I am obsessed with skincare and also my two weekly baths. Friday is a work-from-bath day, which is weird but heavenly. I have things I want to do, yet I also love that bath time. And now if you get emails or calls from me on Fridays, you know my so-called office is the bath. Sunday bath is pure relaxation. I also enjoy my daily skincare routine. I love the feeling of face wash, serums, and masks. It’s how I wind down for bed or brighten up for a kick-ass day.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
I am a definite journaler. Is that a word? Journaler: one who journals. It should be. I love putting pen to paper. For sketches of new products and to process what I am seeing, feeling. or thinking. I often write in a stream-of-consciousness style to figure out what is happening. It might be on a napkin. I also love the Garboos journal. I sometimes get in trouble for borrowing my daughter’s.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
I came from a background as a model and a soap opera actress. In hindsight, I have always struggled with my body image. The initial idea for the U weight was a reminder to “own U.” I look back and body perfection isn’t real. I still sometimes criticize my body. As I age, I try to remind myself as much as I want the physical component, I also crave the mental release and to simply be kind to myself in every aspect.
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
This is probably a bizarre one and not sure if it counts as wellness, but the two books I believe should be required reading are The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. Both offer important perspectives on how to live in the world. They’re not the easiest of reads, yet if we talk about wellness internally, they are good ones. They speak to resilience, truth, and perspective.
How do you celebrate small victories?
Dance parties! Clearly, I am a fan of the one-song dance party, whether alone, with my daughter, or with family or girlfriends. Small victories are hard, especially as they relate to entrepreneurship where you know there is always so much to do. I am guilty of that, as my expectations and vision for what I want to accomplish are big. Even so, I try to celebrate the little daily wins.
What brings you joy?
Travel. I don’t mind flying, and each time, I feel grateful to embark on a new adventure. My daughter is constantly with me whether for work or pleasure, and I love showing her that I can integrate motherhood with business. We just launched our Ubarres in The Westman (Bend, OR), a gorgeous new property. I took my folks and my daughter and did the balanced approach to work, which felt like such a blessing.
