YCO Active
Activewear that Enables Both Performance and Style
Contributor : Sophia Kang
YCO Active boasts activewear that doesn ’ t compromise style for performance .
I work out too hard to ... put on a pair of leggings that slide down my butt ,” Natalie Yco says . That ’ s why she co-founded YCO Active , an activewear line that actually performs and looks good while performing . Each piece is named after a powerful woman in Yco ’ s and co-founder Rachel Chavez ’ s lives , and each is designed for women who aren ’ t afraid to be just as “ bold and badass !”
ENSPIRE spoke with Natalie about her own fitness journey and the inspiration behind YCO Active : some way ?
My business partner , Rachel Chavez , and I started our brand five years ago . I wanted to celebrate women of herstory that made a difference . Naming each piece after a woman that has made her mark allowed us to acknowledge their existence and bravery .
Each piece does somehow reflect the woman it ’ s named after . For example , our Truth Bra is named after Sojourner Truth , and it ’ s as unique , bold , and beautiful as she was .
ENSPIRE MAGAZINE
Where does your passion for fitness come from ? Have you always been excited about fitness ?
My passion for fitness started when I was in grade school . I wanted to be fast and strong , but I had asthma , and that made it difficult for me to find my passion since I always had trouble breathing . When I started working out and training in martial arts , I started to feel confident , and eventually , my need for my asthma inhaler was gone ! That ’ s why I ’ m so passionate about fitness . And , yes , I have always been excited about fitness . When I was a junior in high school , I loved that I was able to perform the same amount of sit-ups as the strongest boy in my class . And I was so excited when I received a Presidential Youth Fitness Award . I believe my innate love for fitness empowered me to get past my need to use an inhaler .
What inspired you and your partner , Rachel Chavez , to dedicate the pieces at YCO Active to the powerful women in your life ? Does each piece reflect the woman it ’ s named after in
YCO Active prides itself on clothes that are both functional and stylish . As you said , so many brands sacrifice one for the other . How did you make it work ?
Honestly , we are two women that had an idea that we made come to life . We had our challenges to make that happen in the beginning , but we learn and grow . Our new Amplify collection combines functionality and style in that the fabric will support and move you , but at the same time , our new colors and fit will help you feel bold , strong , and sexy .
You ’ ve trained celebrities like Alessandra Ambrosio and Mindy Kaling . How would you describe your training style , and why does it work ?
My training style is dependent on my client . Their goal is my goal . I will drive them mentally and physically to help them realize their true capabilities . Too often people don ’ t know what they ’ re capable of until they ’ re encouraged .
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