Meet Marylin, CEO of Athleisure Fitness Brand: Team Try

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marylin Try

Hi Marylin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! My journey into the athleisure fitness brand started with a passion for fitness and a desire to create functional yet stylish workout gear. It all began with booty bands; I had this hunch that gyms were going to shut down due to the pandemic and I just knew everyone were going to need something to enhance their home workouts. I noticed a gap in the market for high-quality, aesthetically pleasing bands that could inspire people to exercise more.

From there, I expanded into other fitness gears, like gym bags and jackets, focusing on combining practicality with design. I wanted to ensure that my products not only performed well but also made people feel good about using them.

As the brand grew, I recognized the demand for more versatile apparel. I ventured into leggings, prioritizing comfort and durability. Listening to customer feedback was crucial; I learned what worked and what didn’t, which guided my designs.
With the success of leggings, I expanded into lounge sets and jumpsuits. I aimed to create pieces that people could wear not just during workouts but throughout their daily lives, embodying the athleisure ethos.

Today, I’m proud to have built a brand that resonates with fitness enthusiasts and everyday wearers alike. The journey has been about constant learning, adapting to trends, and staying true to my vision of merging style with functionality. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come, and I’m eager to keep innovating!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building my athleisure business has certainly been a journey filled with ups and downs. While my passion for fitness fueled my initial drive, I quickly realized that running a business involves much more than enthusiasm. I had to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, from understanding supply chains to managing finances, and it was a steep learning curve.

Identifying what was in demand was a challenge. Trends in fitness and fashion change rapidly, and I had to stay attuned to what consumers wanted versus what I was excited to create. This meant trial and error—sometimes investing in products that didn’t resonate as expected, leading to financial losses and wasted time. Each setback taught me valuable lessons about market research and customer feedback.

Embracing loss became a critical part of my journey. There were moments when I had to let go of designs or materials that didn’t work out, which felt like a personal failure at times. It was tough to reconcile the energy and resources spent on something that ultimately didn’t succeed, but I learned to view these experiences as steppingstones rather than roadblocks.

Finding the right materials also proved to be a significant challenge. Different fabrics perform differently under various conditions, and I had to experiment extensively to discover what worked best for specific activities—whether for high-intensity workouts or more relaxed settings. Understanding how different bodies interact with materials was another layer of complexity; what felt great on one person might not work for another.

Overall, the road has been anything but smooth, but each obstacle has contributed to my growth. I’ve learned the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning, and these lessons have shaped not just my brand, but me as an entrepreneur.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a diverse background that might seem a bit all over the place! I majored in kinesiology with a focus on exercise science, which deepened my passion for fitness and understanding the body. However, my career path also led me to work with children with autism in behavioral health. This experience has been incredibly rewarding and has taught me valuable skills in communication and empathy.

Additionally, I’m a certified occupational therapy assistant, which allows me to blend my interests in fitness and therapy. This unique combination of roles has enriched my perspective, helping me understand the importance of tailored approaches in both fitness and therapy. While it might seem scattered, each experience contributes to my overall mission of promoting health and well-being in different ways!

I often find myself unsure of what I’m known for outside of my athleisure fitness brand. Being introverted and shy can make it challenging for me to open up to others, which sometimes leads to me feeling a bit lost in how I’m perceived. While I pour my heart into my business, sharing more about myself and connecting with others can be a struggle. I’m working on embracing vulnerability, but it’s definitely a journey for me!

I’m most proud not just of my accomplishments, but of how I’ve navigated the challenges that come with being a first-generation college student and a second-generation Cambodian American. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned to make the most of the cards I was dealt. It’s about resilience, embracing my heritage, and setting an example for others in my community. The growth and lessons along the way mean more to me than any specific achievement!

What sets me apart from others is my sense of balance—both as an individual and in life. I embrace being the girliest masculine person you’ll meet! I believe in the importance of exercise, but I also think it’s perfectly okay to indulge a little. I’ll encourage you to honor your feelings and remind you that it’s completely valid to experience them, while also encouraging resilience and a bit of tough love.

I am often in a space where I can be hard on myself when I make mistakes, but I also strive to be uplifting in the same breath. This duality is a big part of who I am. It’s about finding harmony between strength and vulnerability, and I hope to inspire others to do the same. Life is all about balance, and I’m here to champion that message!

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The COVID-19 pandemic really opened my eyes to the importance of health. It became clear that maintaining good health is crucial—not just for ourselves, but for the safety of our communities as well. I saw firsthand how vulnerable we can be and how quickly circumstances can change.

This experience emphasized the need for proactive self-care, whether through exercise, nutrition, or mental well-being, the significance of supportive relationships, and the need for community. It also highlighted the value of health systems and the support we provide to one another. Overall, the pandemic reinforced my belief that prioritizing health is essential for resilience in the face of life’s uncertainties.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teamtry.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tea.mtry/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG7Mvle4URlGIZz02ycRizQ

Image Credits
Joshua Lockhart