Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Cochran.
Hi Mindy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! I am Mindy Cochran. I hold certifications in group fitness, personal training, nutrition coaching, and life coaching. I am a practitioner, teacher, and performer of the aerial arts, as well as a former health columnist for Montana Woman Magazine. I am honored to hold the titles of first-place soloist in Montana’s inaugural pole competition and finalist for Montana’s Got Talent (2025). I have been training aerial arts for over a decade, performing at many music festivals and events across northwest United States, and alongside many renowned artists of the aerial world including the well-known Cirque Du Soleil and MarchForth. I began learning acrobatics at 33 years young with no former experience in dance or gymnastics.
In 2022, I sold the aerial studio I owned but remained an instructor and performer, staying deeply connected to the art form and the people who share it. Over time, I felt drawn back to the thrill of high aerials (an element that had been part of our foundation and one I deeply missed). That calling sparked a new chapter. United by the same vision, many of Flathead’s finest aerialists came together to establish the Elevated Aerial Performance Collective. In April 2025, we proudly announced the opening of Elevated Aerial Studio, a space where our talented acrobats can pass on their knowledge, strength, and artistry through extraordinary classes; elevating others to new heights.
I believe that aerial is movement medicine for all ages! My life’s purpose is to inspire others on the pathway to their best selves.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When an announcement came out about the closure of the first studio I founded over a decade earlier, it felt like a full-circle moment. Even though I had sold the business and it evolved in its own direction, knowing it was coming to an end stirred up a lot of reflection because its closure symbolically marked the completion of a chapter I began long ago.
And yet… endings create space for new beginnings.
When I opened the new Elevated Aerial Studio in May of 2025 it wasn’t just about gaining access to a training space; it was about rebuilding a sisterhood. A place where women (and all humans) could rise up; feel seen; and be unapologetically powerful. My first studio lived by the mantra “where fitness is fun, celebrated alongside the empowerment for women,” and I felt called to bring that spirit back to life in a space designed for new awakenings & deeper connections. Higher ceilings; more opportunities to explore; a home where our magic could expand.
When I left my first studio, it was one, big, scary leap. I didn’t know who would follow me into this next chapter. But what I discovered was encouraging: nearly everyone wanted to come along. Together we manifested something bigger, brighter, and more aligned with who we are becoming. And once we released the fear, Elevated Aerial began to bloom.
Today, our studio stands apart in the Flathead; rooted in holistic fitness and intentional growth. With certified instructors creating curriculum, incredibly talented performers representing our brand, safety-rated equipment, and an unwavering commitment to each class, we built more than a studio… we built an aerial revolution.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have 14 years building the aerial community in Montana. I believe you can have anything you desire as long as you are willing to work for it!
How do you think about luck?
Luck put certain people and opportunities in my path. Performers, instructors, event organizers, clients, and collaborators have all contributed to my trajectory.
Luck also gave me circumstances I didn’t choose. Even some of the painful business history when the selling of my first aerial studio didn’t turn out the way I had expected ultimately created conditions for you to step away, reassess, and eventually build Elevated Aerial differently and with more intention and focus.
Pricing:
- Classes start as low as $17 / class
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevatedfitnessmt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aerial.mindy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindy.cochran.12/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjpISctJnoEyaGCz7kBcg4g
