20 Under 40 – Kyle Osteen
35
The Forge on Dyer
Education: Texas Tech University
Kyle Osteen, wanting to help his clients reduce their pain, researched therapies and, eventually, started the training, performance, and recovery studio The Forge on Dyer in 2019.
“After 10 years of building my clientele, working on my technique, and obtaining certifications in NeuroKinetic therapies, a client and Park Cities resident, Hugh Jones, offered to partner with me to create The Forge on Dyer,” Osteen said.
His experience as a personal trainer and neuromuscular therapist and his research led him to create whole-body wellness regimes that combine movement and neuromuscular therapy.
“I did not have an easy or linear path to opening my own studio and, at times, I doubted that I had the talent, the skills, or the resources to be able to see this dream to fruition,” he said. “I hope that I am able to look back on this accomplishment as the first of many, but will never forget the drive, determination, and struggle that it took to get me there.”
He said he hopes to open more locations of the Forge franchise in the future.
“I hope to be an integral part in making Dallas and the Park Cities the go-to-market for health and wellness practitioners,” Osteen said.
Q: Tell us about your professional experience?
A: It has been quite a journey that led me to owning The Forge on Dyer. After graduating from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise sports sciences and a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology, I felt a little lost. I moved back home and started working at a local GNC where I was given an opportunity to train at Royal Oaks Country Club. After 10 years of building my clientele, working on my technique and obtaining certifications in NeuroKinetic therapies, a client and Park Cities resident, Hugh Jones, offered to partner with me to create The Forge on Dyer, which we opened in 2019. I know that while I’m not yet at the height of my career, I can look back at this point and tell you that you may not always start where you want, but hard work, patience, and perseverance can get you in the right direction toward where you want to be going.
Q: What do you love most about your community?
A: The people. The Park Cities people are some of the most kind and caring people I have come across. This community is full of givers–whether they are lending a helping hand or sharing knowledge and imparting wisdom, the people of the Park Cities communities give of their time and resources to make those around them better.
Q: What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
A: My very first job was at Brookshire’s grocery store as a bag boy – bagging groceries and helping load and unload carts as a teenager. I learned a lot of foundation lessons; customer service, time management, conflict resolution, working hard and following through no matter how small the task–and most importantly, to always double-bag the cans.
Q: Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop, and why?
A: There are many, many experts practicing in the health and wellness field, and it can be difficult to be confident in your own practice when there are studies that can prove your methods right and other studies that can prove your methods wrong. It has been a process of constant learning, and I can be a confident leader in this industry because I know I will never settle for the answers I found yesterday in a pursuit to continue to discover more about the body and share that knowledge with those around me.
Q: Where is the best place in the Park Cities or Preston Hollow for a power lunch – what do you order?
A: A “power lunch” for a personal trainer means something a little different – my go-to is True Food Kitchen, and I’m ordering the Poke Bowl. I love that they offer a wide variety of healthy, nutrient-dense food that tastes great.
Q: Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?
A: Confidence has been a difficult skill to develop. There are many, many experts practicing in the health and wellness field and it can be difficult to be confident in your own practice when there are studies that can prove your methods right and other studies that can prove your methods wrong. It has been a process of constant learning and I can be a confident leader in this industry because I know I will never settle for the answers I found yesterday in a pursuit to continue to discover more about the body and share that knowledge with those around me.
Q: If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?
A: I would buy a neighbor the book Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield – a historical fiction about the Spartan army that teaches the value of community over self. Not only is it a great read, but also a representation of the importance of the community we have in Park Cities and a reminder that service to others is greater than service to self.
Q: What is your favorite local store?
A: Pockets Menswear is my favorite local store. They carry a large selection of clothing items from my favorite brand of athletic shoes to business and casual wear. For someone who spends their work day in joggers at the gym, Pockets is a great place to shop for the clothes I get to wear on the weekends and their customer service is top notch!
