Wow! 11 Years! Since we didn’t get to have our Birthday BBQ this past Sunday, I figured I’d post a toast to all the special people who have made FitTown what it is.
11 years is a long time in this business and we’ve accumulated way too many people to thank in one message. The group fitness business is unique, in that the people who patronize your business really create what the business is. We do our best to set mission, values, and expectations from the top down, but it’s the character of the people within our doors that shapes the culture.
A positive, inviting, and encouraging culture is not easy to find in today’s world. In the words of our 77-year-old longtime member Patty, “Where else can you go every morning and be around a group of people who will cheer for you and give you high 5’s?”
I’ve always considered myself an introvert, and honestly had such bad anxiety in social situations that I found every excuse to get out of them. Even when Andrew and I started the gym in 2012, standing in front of a class would make my body shake and turn my stomach upside down. It wasn’t until I stopped focusing on myself, and started focusing on others, that I finally understood what being a part of this culture was all about.
It’s not about being the best athlete in the gym and topping the SugarWOD scoreboard. It’s not about being the smartest coach on staff and having an answer to every question. It’s not about how much weight you lift…it’s about how much you can lift others up. It’s not about “me,” it’s all about “we.”
We are all working on ourselves, but it’s also our responsibility to support those around us. I don’t do it because I’m an owner or coach, but because I’m a piece. I’m just another piece to the culture puzzle of FitTown. The only requirement to be a contributing piece is to clear the path for the person behind you.
What does that mean to “clear the path?” It means you are welcoming and supportive to the new face that walks in. You make everyone feel at home. You openly share your knowledge and lend a helping hand. It doesn’t matter if you were at FitTown for 10 weeks or 10 years, if you helped clear the path for one person, THANK YOU. You made FitTown what it is today.
We’ve had so many great people come and go through our doors. People who have left a lasting impact on us. There is no greater impact on this gym than that which my brother Andrew had. I know this sounds like a eulogy, but don’t worry, he’s still alive and well. He has been focusing his time more on family and our family’s businesses in real estate. As my little brother, Andrew had a big impact on me. He has inspired me over the years and helped me grow so much. He has given so much to FitTown and all the thank you’s in the world can’t cover all he’s done.
Thank you to all our staff, past and present. Special thanks to Coach Melissa, who has recently gone down in duties, and Coach Rachel who has increased her roles. You both have treated FitTown like home and the people of it like family. That impact is everlasting.
As we enter our 12th year, we are so excited to keep growing our culture and positively impacting our community. Now that the incredible husband and wife duo of Austin & Danielle are official owners with me in FitTown, it’s exciting to see where they’ll help take us next. I’m so thankful that they took a leap of faith in 2018 and left their beautiful Missouri winter weather for our year round tropical storms.
FitTown Family, there is nothing like the positive energy you put into the world each day. Keep your light shining bright and clearing a path for those who need it.
THANK YOU!
-Coach Tony & Team