Lindsey Marcelli was disappointed when she couldn’t find a coloring book featuring a barbell for her three children.
- “My kids love to color, and I wanted them to be able to color what they love. They enjoy working out with us. They have their own little barbell,” said Marcelli, who has been doing CrossFit since 2007 and was an affiliate owner for eight years.
Further, Marcelli came across a statistic that really got to her.
- “Only one in four kids are meeting the recommended daily amount of physical activity,” she said.
So, she took matters into her own hands.
- “I knew there had to be a better way to inspire movement,” she said. “I wanted to create something that blended creativity, movement, and a positive mindset, making physical activity feel less like a chore and more like play.”
The result: Marcelli has now published five books in her Color Me Stronger Collection and is working on more.
- “The collection keeps growing. I love asking my kids what they want, and we expand on that,” Marcelli said. She is also the founder of both Girls GoneRX and Compete for a Cure, which work together to raise money for breast cancer.
She added: “I’m the author and creator behind the books, but my kids and hubby are the real bosses…These books are truly for them, and having our entire family part of the creative process makes the project even more special.”
The Details
The five books in the series have coloring and activity-book components, but they also serve as an educational tool to inspire kids to become interested in fitness.
- “Our ABC book, for example, turns learning into a fun family bonding experience, mixing education with 15 minutes of movement that doesn’t feel like a structured workout. It feels like pure fun,” Marcelli said. “By encouraging creativity through coloring and storytelling, while incorporating physical challenges, we aim to create an experience that engages both body and mind, helping kids build lifelong healthy habits through play.”
The Big Picture
Marcelli said her ultimate goal is for all kids to see fitness as “fun, accessible, and part of everyday life.”
- “Fitness isn’t just about working out,” she said. “It’s about building confidence and resilience and finding joy through movement. If kids can’t see it, they can’t be it. Combining creativity and fitness felt like the perfect way to spark that inspiration.”
She’s well on her way. So far, Marcelli has sold several hundred copies of her books across different platforms, including Amazon, and direct sales at various events.
- “And every time we release a new edition, it ranks in the top five new releases in exercise and fitness for children…This proves that parents are eager for resources that keep their kids active, healthy, and having fun while moving,” Marcelli said.
She added: “Each sale feels like a step forward in creating a healthier, happier generation.”
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Featured image: @colormestronger / Instagram
