• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

2

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less

1

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

2

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
FinanceWhy I Invested

Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno brings slide board training to the masses with investment in Brrrn

By
Stephanie Cain
Stephanie Cain
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Stephanie Cain
Stephanie Cain
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 28, 2021, 8:00 AM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Short track speed skating star Apolo Ohno stole hearts over the course of three Winter Olympic Games, during which he became the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian of all time. He has won eight Olympic medals, 12 national championships, a World Championship, and a World Cup as part of his athletic career, and is credited with launching the speed skating sport into mainstream popularity.

Ohno has since taken his skill and determination to entrepreneurship as a successful sports broadcaster, television personality, motivational speaker, angel investor, New York Times bestselling author, and winner of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. He invested in Brrrn, a New York City–based cold workout program, to help the brand launch its first direct-to-consumer product and at-home workout platform. Dubbed the Brrrn Board, the easy-to-store slide board enables workouts that echo techniques Ohno trained with during his speed skating years and reinforces his passion for inclusivity in the fitness space.

Apolo Ohno, Olympic speed skater
Courtesy of Brrrn
  • Startup: Brrrn
  • Location: New York City
  • Year founded: 2018
  • Valuation: $15 million
  • Investment level: Seed
  • Number of employees: 10
  • Other major investors: Steve Schlesinger of Schlesinger Group, Rick Treese of WebMD, Taylor Grant of Cedar Capital, Barry Slotnick of UltraSlide, celebrity hairstylist Orlando Pita
Apolo Ohno demonstrating use of the Brrrn Board, touted as a gym that fits under your couch.
Courtesy of Brrrn

Why he invested, in his own words

I’m learning to apply the same focus and discipline that brought me athletic success to companies that are transforming our everyday lives. I want my partnerships to have a meaningful impact and feel authentic to consumers. I love supporting companies that are hungry to make an impact on people. It’s especially exciting when I have the ability to invest in something that I truly believe in like Brrrn.

I’ve been training on a slide board since I was 12 years old, and it has helped me become a successful athlete. Lateral movement is the most overlooked and underutilized area of training that many people don’t normally take advantage of. Athletes, including myself, utilize a slide board as an integral part of their training to help activate muscles we don’t typically activate in a standard workout. Through the power of “side-to-side” training, you can focus on a new type of movement that improves core strength, balance, coordination, and muscular endurance.

The Brrrn Board is a lightweight slide board designed to fit perfectly into any home or workout routine. It is an incredibly versatile low-tech, at-home solution for those seeking a low-impact cardio workout. In an age where we are constantly distracted by gadgets, workouts, meal plans, and more, this tool allows us to focus and retrain our body.

The Brrrn Board can be paired with an at-home, on-demand subscription to hundreds of online workouts.
Courtesy of Brrrn

Upon introduction [to the founders], I knew being a part of this brand would be a “no-brainer.” I admire their humility, ability to be inclusive, and desire to do good for the fitness community. Brrrn’s founders, Jimmy T. Martin and Johnny Adamic, are very passionate about bringing this new movement to the masses, homing in on low-tech and accessibility for everybody. Brrrn is a company that represents both innovation and inclusiveness in the fitness industry; I want to back those who have the same vision.

I am thrilled to be a partner who can contribute a personal testament to how functional this product is, too. With a schedule as hectic as mine, I’ve grown so passionate for at-home fitness, and Brrrn has significantly changed the way that I work out at home. I want to reach a new audience of consumers looking for an at-home workout that can provide athletic success and to help spread the message on how impactful it can be to just get up and move right at home.

More finance coverage from Fortune:

  • “Active ETFs”: Inside the booming (and potentially profitable) new investing trend
  • These are the most overvalued housing markets in the U.S.
  • He’s just 12 years old and has already made over $350,000 selling NFTs
  • Silicon Valley’s Long-Term Stock Exchange finally lists its first companies: Twilio and Asana
  • Saudi Aramco is the world’s most profitable oil giant. For investors, it’s one big yawn

This is an installment of Why I Invested, a series featuring famous investors from all different backgrounds and industries, revealing what inspired them to invest their own money in a new business.

About the Author
By Stephanie Cain
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

A Viking ship named Havhingsten af Glendalough - the Sea Stallion of Glendalough -, the world's largest replica of a Viking warship, sets out 01 JUly 2007 from the Viking Museum in Roskilde, Denmark, on a voyage to Dublin in Ireland, where it is scheduled to arrive 14 August.
EuropeScience
1,000-year-old massive textile factory unearthed in Denmark—and it belonged to the Vikings
By James Brooks and The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Young couple standing in a brightly lit home
Real EstateHousing
A big look at the state of housing in America: Boomers won’t sell, millennials can’t buy, and Gen Z gets to watch the whole thing sort itself out
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago
Wind turbines on yellow grass
Environmentwind power
California threatens to hit Trump with lawsuit if he doesn’t revive massive wind farm project off central coast
By Jennifer McDermott and The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago
Warren leans in to talk to Scott
PoliticsHousing
Congress’s landmark housing bill could backfire on millions of renters
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
4 hours ago
Institute's Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel,on May 6, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.
RetailSpaceX
Elon Musk was the world’s first trillionaire for 12 days
By Eva RoytburgJune 24, 2026
4 hours ago
President Donald Trump pictured in September 2025 signing an executive order that overhauled the H-1B visa program.
EconomyImmigration
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
17 hours ago
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
Retail
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
9 hours ago
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
Asia
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
10 hours ago
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
17 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 23, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.