Buff Business of the Month: Tread Fitness App with Caitlin McDonald

Caitlin McDonald (MBA ‘15) CEO of Tread Fitness, shared insights into her revolutionary app, born out of an idea two years in the making. Tread Fitness is an app designed to revolutionize outdoor running and cycling workouts through advanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology. McDonald’s inspiration originated from her newfound hobby, road biking.

“Tread’s current focus is AI coaching for outdoor runs and using real-time metrics to control audio prompts and music playback,” shared McDonald. “I couldn’t find an app that included training for cycling – what body position I should have on inclines, how I could be more arrow-dynamic, tips for peddling vs coasting.”

A Key Takeaway from my time at Leeds was...the power of collaboration and effective communication within diverse teams. From individuals with Peace Corps experience to those in Finance, and Marines to Sustainability enthusiasts, each student brought a unique perspective. The MBA program exposed me to a range of backgrounds, fostering an environment where strategic thinking and innovative ideas thrived.

I sought out ways to engage with and learn from the start-up culture in Boulder. I participated in start-up competitions, led the VCIC team, contributed to the DCVF, and, through classes, engaged in various business ideas. This diverse exposure, coupled with a focus on entrepreneurial finance, helped shape my entrepreneurial mindset.

 My advice to entrepreneurial Forever Buffs is...a lot of business ideas remain just ideas. Take action on your business ideas without fear of potential failure. Share your ideas openly and be receptive to feedback, as these conversations can lead to new insights or challenge preconceived notions. Embrace the possibility of shifting focus based on these valuable interactions.

How Forever Buffs can support...We are currently in the Beta Testing phase and invite CU Buffs to participate! Those who help with Beta Testing or join the waitlist will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to the app upon its launch.

Visit https://treadfitnessapp.com/forever-buffs/ to sign up!