Eight years ago, I embarked on the journey of starting my own business—a gym. I’m Stacy Boil, the founder and owner of Faith Fitness Gym. My career as a certified personal trainer began almost 11 years ago when I worked at a 24-hour gym. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed, but my passion for helping others learn to exercise and enjoy it has been a constant in my life. In fact, I’ve been guiding people in fitness for much longer than 11 years. I offered advice on workout routines or assisting friends with weight loss. There was always something that drew people to me for help. (More on that later.)
During my time in the Marine Corps, exercise played a vital role in our training. It taught me the initial steps toward achieving physical goals, hinting that starting a gym was my destiny. Yet, my body began to deteriorate while serving. I now had pain and health issues I struggled to grasp at a young age. Questions about endometriosis, masses, and chemical menopause flooded my mind by age twenty.
As it turned out, my diagnosis revealed the cause to be stage 4 endometriosis, several masses, and multiple ovarian cysts. This led to a series of treatments and surgeries, including a total hysterectomy by age 26. While the surgeries were devastating, the treatments were worse. They left me with significant bone loss and hormonal changes. I have experienced menopause symptoms twice and menopause once. I joke with prospective clients that I’ve gone through “the change” three times to show them they can survive it, too!
As expected, the bone loss and ongoing health challenges took a toll on my body. The once fit and energetic me became limited and overweight. The idea of exercising was the last thing I wanted to consider. Then, a doctor suggested I use a cane to move around without pain. I firmly rejected that idea! I told myself that this broken body would not define my future. And shortly after, my journey of healing through exercise and nutrition began.
When I started, I was a 5’3″ woman weighing 180 pounds with 46% body fat. Lucky for me, my previous experience in the Corps provided a solid foundation to start with. With a new gym membership inhand, I got to work, beginning with simple cardio and stretching. My next step was to progress to resistance training and eliminate processed foods. It was tough and painful, but I slowly began to lift heavier weights and run longer distances. I educated myself on nutrition, calorie counting, and macros. Not long after, I realized helping others fall in love with their own health journeys was my true calling. If I could overcome my obstacles, then so could anyone else. But, I needed a way to fulfill this purpose.
One day, the manager of the gym I joined asked if I was interested in a job, expressing admiration for my dedication. I was there every day, and this opportunity felt like it had landed in my lap. Being a spiritual person, I believe that something has always drawn people to me for assistance.
Reflecting on my journey, I see that divine guidance led me to this profession. My personal experiences equipped me with the understanding necessary to help others take that leap of faith. I’m incredibly grateful for that! After a couple of years working in the gym, circumstances prompted me to venture out on my own.
I began training clients in my garage, saving $3,000 to purchase equipment, and offering free workouts in the park alongside my husband. As our classes grew, I started charging for them. I chuckle at the homemade marketing posters I created. As our attendance increased, I began to entertain the idea of starting my own gym. When I shared this dream with my husband Nick, his expression was one of confusion; he’s not one to take risks without careful consideration. I prayed and spent my free time searching for the perfect location. After many attempts, I found a building that seemed ideal, but the owner never returned my calls. So, I prayed even harder, asking for clarity and guidance.
If you take away one lesson from this story, let it be this: be specific about what you want. I was, and my prayers were answered. While driving by the building I envisioned as my gym, we encountered the owner outside. It turned out, he thought my voicemails were odd. After some discussion, he agreed to rent the space to us. After several attempts, we finally secured a loan, and our journey began.
That was eight years ago this past October. The path has been far from easy. It’s been challenging—more so than I ever anticipated. Together, we have weathered many storms. We have learned to balance work and marriage, navigate the challenges of COVID-19, and restructure our business to achieve sustainable income. We’ve seen both gains and losses in membership. Yet, here we stand against all odds. What began as a passion to help and inspire, has evolved into a mission—help 1,000 individuals embrace exercise and feel comfortable in their bodies, regardless of the challenges they face.