Finding Success Through Sweat

Being active in Meika Louis-Pierre's line of work is tantamount to success.

As a personal trainer and owner of the Fit Neighborhood gym and exercise studio, on Cascade Road, getting clients activity rates up for them to achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles is central to her business.

But it also underscores a life motto that she has: "Everyone who is successful in life is a doer."

It's a philosophy that led her to open the gym some three years ago, after working as a trainer in Midtown.

She wanted to open the gym in Southwest Atlanta because there was a need.

Some folks tried to disuade her, warning her that it wouldn't work, but undaunted, she went ahead.

Her thinking at the time was that there is no "right time" to do something.

"They never will be," she told Cascade Patch. "Figure out what you want to do and start doing it - today - not tomorrow."

It's akin to folks wanting to get in shape, or lose weight, or just be healthier she said.

The resolve to do it and commit themselves to it.

Loius-Pierre shared some of her observations with Cascade Patch:

Q. Why did you decide to open the gym?

A. I have a background in sports and have worked on many levels including with the NBA. My business love is entrepreneurship, however. With a family history of diabetes, staying healthy and fit is near and dear to my heart. Just prior to opening Fit Neighborhood, I was an independent trainer at a gym in Midtown. Most of the clients there were already in decent shape, plus I had to drive 35 minutes to get there everyday. I wanted to have a bigger impact on a community that really needed the level of training that we offer - the community in which I live. There was nothing in the south Fulton area that combined industry-leading training with education. Everyone told me I was crazy to open it here in South Fulton, but we're still going strong after 3 years.

Q. A lot of people have skills or talents they're passionate about that they turn into their profession. How do you keep that from becoming "just work"?

A. Almost everyday we witness someone achieving a milestone towards their goals or getting a personal record. Those moments of accomplishment make what we do incredibly rewarding. Also, because we've committed ourselves to continuous learning, seeking out the best practices in the fitness industry and making some of our own keeps things exciting.

Q. We live in an instant results society. How do you get clients to see that change takes time and to stay committed?

A. Before someone joins our Fit Family, we explain that we are specifically about lifestyle change. We take the time to educate our clients about not just what to do to live a healthy lifestyle, but HOW to do it. For instance, we have a Grocery Shopping Tour this Saturday where we will show clients how to decipher the marketing lingo that makes some things appear healthier than they are.

Q. The recession has caused a lot of people to pull back on different expenses, including things such as personal training. How did you weather the downturn?

A. I don't think there is a magic formula for weathering a downturn in the economy. We simply try to stay responsive to our clients' needs through open dialogue.

Q. Who was your business inspiration/mentor and what would you say is the largest life lesson you learned from that person?

A. I have had a few great mentors who are at the top of the fitness industry including Rachel and Alwyn Cosgrove, Thomas Plummer, Rick Mayo and Bedros Keuilian. The largest life lesson I've received is to take massive imperfect action. Everyone who is successful in life is a doer. You can never wait for circumstances to be perfect. They never will be. Figure out what you want to do and start doing it - today - not tomorrow. The only difference between a dream and reality is action. Fit Neighborhood is a huge part of my actualized dreams!