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Exploring Life & Business with Amanda Street of CrossFit Shoofly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Street.

Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Growing up in West Virginia made it easy for me to find ways to get outdoors and participate in lots of recreational activities. Since an early age, I have loved being outside, being active, and playing sports. I knew early on that I wanted my career to involve nature or sports. I worked hard to get an athletic scholarship and was thrilled when I was able to attend college and play basketball. I began learning about fitness and nutrition through the athletic staff and decided to study Exercise Science after graduation. I pursued a graduate degree in nutrition and began working as a strength and conditioning coach at the university level; I loved working with college athletes but always wanted to own a gym and work with a broader population.

In 2015, I opened CrossFit Shoofly. It was scary and exciting to break away and do my own thing, but I knew it was what I truly wanted. About 20 personal training clients trusted me and became my first members. I am so thankful for their support, as the majority of them are still members today. We steadily grew our community, and I added more coaches to the team. The members and the coaches became like family to me, and the gym felt like home.

In 2019 it became apparent we were busting at the seams and needed more space. I shifted my focus to how I could better serve our members and searched for ways to expand. As soon as I found what I thought would be the best option, the Covid Pandemic hit. Everything I thought I was ready for now became a terrifying unknown. We were forced to close entirely for three months. The plan I thought I had was now not an option, and the main priority became how we survive a pandemic as a small business.

During our closure, we did everything we could to keep fitness a part of everyone’s life. We loaned our equipment to everyone and ran virtual workouts. There was a workout, and each day we all did it together, this time, just through a computer screen. The members kept our business alive and continued to pay their dues. After 3 months, we were allowed to work out outside or in small groups wearing masks inside. We did that for another 5 months. It was not ideal, but everyone stuck by us and continued to support the business. Without that support, we would not be open today.

Fast forward to 2022, and we took the leap of faith to move to a new facility with almost triple the size of our first space. Although the walls are new, the community is what makes it special. We had members helping us move, laying flooring, putting the equipment together, and once again believing in the dream of Shoofly. We have only been in our new location for two weeks, but it is like we have been here forever. We are excited for the future in our new location, where we hope to continue growing and changing more lives through health, fitness, and nutrition.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a small business, the biggest obstacle we faced was the Pandemic. As a small business owner, I have encountered struggles I did not anticipate. You cannot truly prepare for the toll running a business can take on your well-being. It is easy to get lost in your work. I never knew how running a gym could affect my mental health. When you are your boss and a very competitive person, you start losing that work/life balance. Soon, my thoughts only revolved around the gym. I no longer had time for the things I once enjoyed or participated in. My family and friendships all took a back seat, and I felt overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety; the advice I had given hundreds of clients to take care of themselves I was now having to give myself. While the struggle to maintain a healthy balance is still there and will probably always be, I have tried my best to find a better headspace again. Taking time to rest, returning to nature, and spending time with family have been the biggest help.

We’ve been impressed with CrossFit Shoofly, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
CrossFit Shoofly is a strength and conditioning gym. We are not a fitness center. You will not see a room full of machines when you walk in. You will see wide open space, free weights, medicine balls, gymnastics rings and ropes, bikes, rowers, squat racks, and pull-up bars. In this gym, you are the machine. If you are coming to attend a group class, our goal is to make this the absolute BEST hour of your day. The community is friendly and supportive. People will greet you by name when you walk in and cheer you on when you need it. We offer CrossFit, personal training, small group training, Olympic weightlifting, sports performance, open gym, and youth fitness. Our coaching staff, programming, community, and the new facility are what sets us apart. It doesn’t matter your fitness level, previous athletic experience, or physical capability; our team is dedicated to helping you reach the best version of yourself.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the trend for the fitness industry is going to continue to grow in popularity. The relationship between quality of life and health and fitness is being talked about more than ever; when people focus on eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep, and cultivating relationships, their life is positively impacted, and the results are undeniable. I would like to see more exposure in our industry in the future.

Pricing:

  • Individual Memberships Starting at $170/month
  • Couple Memberships Starting at $290/month

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ahmed Rasul El-Amin Lindsey Williams

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