Don't Call It a Comeback: Building Community and Discovering my Purpose in the Fitness Industry

My personal training business was thriving until 2020—and we all know what happened then. With a two-year-old at home and a full-time graduate course load, I simply didn’t have the energy to transition my business online. On top of that, I was fed up with influencers with no education or experience using their naturally thin bodies as a credential. I had lost all patience for multi-level marketing companies and the individuals who get caught up in promoting their dubious products. I deleted all my social media accounts. I was done.

I completed my Master of Public Health in 2021 while working full-time at the Monongalia County Health Department. Shortly after, I began my current full-time role at the West Virginia University Health Affairs Institute. Although I continued to work with a few one-on-one clients, I didn’t envision expanding further, especially with the start of my PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in 2023.

In 2023, with access to a larger training space and several people asking if I’d ever offer training services again, I decided to give it another shot. Although I had previously dabbled in group training, I struggled to achieve the dynamic I envisioned due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the constraints of outdoor-only sessions. However, with a renewed sense of possibility, I started a strength-based training group with about five individuals.

Fast-forward to 2024: I now have 28 individuals enrolled in various training programs and new enrollments coming in every week. In Winter 2024, I launched the Flight Crew, a powerlifting team with five incredible women. It was time to get serious about rebranding my business, rebuilding a web presence, and automating some of the behind-the-scenes processes. And so, the South Park Barbell Club was born.

At the end of August 2024, I hosted a celebration dinner for all the incredible women who have been part of my training groups. They saw the new brand for the first time, received amazing swag bags, and enjoyed the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen. I’m thrilled about the future of this business and honored that these women trust me as their trainer. I am committed to creating a safe and welcoming space where women of all fitness levels can learn to lift weights safely and discover just how much of a badass they truly are.

I’d like to thank Jess and Kate, who have been my clients since the before times. Your support inspires me to trust my instincts, do hard things, and remain graceful. I’m also grateful to Joy for encouraging me to start the training group, and to Noemi and Erica for being early adopters. A special thanks to Laura for filling the world with color and being unapologetically bold, making me feel I can be too. I want to thank Maura for believing in me so much that she brought five friends with her within a month of joining. And last but not least, I’d like to thank Jodi for capturing beautiful photos of the celebration dinner and always getting my good side.

I am truly honored by the support and trust of my clients in creating this space. It is a privilege I deeply appreciate and do not take for granted. Together, we will continue to build strength and community into 2025 and beyond.

(A special thanks to Terra Cafe for a beautiful event and stunning cake!)