Our evolving story…
Dear Fitness Union Community,
I want to take a moment to share a bit more personally about the journey we’ve been on together these last several months.
Fitness Union opened its doors in January 2023 with a vision born from meditation and a deep longing—to create a sustainable home for meaningful movement, mindful strength training, and trauma-informed coaching. My hope was to build a studio where I could do what I love, support others in their careers, and foster community in a truly intentional way.
What I didn’t fully anticipate was how much would be asked of me—logistically, emotionally, and energetically—as a founder navigating the complexities of running a brick-and-mortar business in today’s economic and cultural climate. Like many small business owners, I’ve cycled through seasons of high productivity, burnout, health challenges, and deep personal reflection.
When Coach Chris shared last fall that he’d be moving to Spain, it unexpectedly activated old wounds and fears. Chris wasn’t just a teammate; he was a foundational part of what we built. His departure sent me into a trauma response that revealed how much I was still holding—grief, fear, abandonment—all rooted in early loss and attachment wounds.
And yet, as it so often does, this unraveling opened the door to something new.
Through plant medicine, meditation, and the unwavering support of this community, I began the search for a new coach. We had not one but two promising hires fall through at the final hour—each time a heartbreak, and each time a reminder of how little we actually control. The grief was real. The surrender, necessary.
In the midst of it all, a new vision came through—one that’s been whispering to me for years: inviting Sukho, my life partner of 15 years, into the heart of Fitness Union. After decades of knowing each other and circling the idea of collaboration, the timing and our growth finally aligned. It’s been humbling and healing to soften into that partnership, to trust, and to lead with rather than for.
Together—with Sukho and Melanie by my side—we’re holding the studio with care, clarity, and a deep commitment to you. We’ve had to let go of our summer plans, navigate disappointment, and lean into new roles. And through it all, I’m learning again and again what it means to lead with heart, not hustle.
What’s become more clear than ever is how much this community teaches me—about what it means to be a guide, a founder, and a steward of this space. You help steer the ship. Your needs, your voices, your presence shape what we do and how we grow. And our coaches—Melanie, Chris, and those who’ve stepped in temporarily or permanently—are not just teammates. They are gifted beings, each bringing their own unique magic to our collective.
As we move into this next iteration, it feels essential that we continue to support each other—not just in running programs, but in stepping into our truth, honoring our gifts, and expanding into deeper coaching work that lights us up. Because when we lead from that place, we offer our community something more powerful than strength training: we offer transformation.
We are calling in a new coach who resonates with our values and vision. In the meantime, thank you for your patience, your kindness, and your trust. Thank you for being the kind of community that allows us to be fully human. It’s because of you that we are still here—still learning, still growing, and slowly, steadily, returning to thrive.
With love and gratitude,
Kim
