“Welcome to the Annex.”

With a big cheesy grin, this is what I say to my new clients as we walk through the doors of my fitness studio. My grin may be mistaken for sarcasm but I’m actually smiling because I can’t help but think about how my little fitness studio became known as the Annex.

The story goes back to November of 2011. I had just come to the end of a personal training contract with a local gym. I was so excited to have my options open. I was ready to see where God was going to lead me next. Before I could even start planning *BOOM* I received a message from a young woman looking to make some changes. For now I will call the young woman, Friend.

Friend was ready to start training right away. I had no clue how it was going to work because I only had a small sunroom and some weights for training. (Our body is the most important workout tool. Who needs machines and equipment, right?) We made it through the first session but I knew we needed more space.

Lord, bless Friend for her patience. I asked if she minded working out in the midst of table saws and saw dust. Friend was determined and willing to support my vision.  By the second workout I had a little corner of my husband’s workshop prepped and ready to train. Let me take a moment to brag on my husband. My craftsman husband allowed his personal trainer wife to move into his manly workshop. Here, let me just show you.

 

This is the Annex at the very beginning.

 

Once my husband realized we couldn't share workspace anymore, he gave up his shop completely.

 

 

 

Lot's and lots of painting and cleaning completed in one summer.

Welcome to the Annex!

 

Annex: (the Paige translation) a building separated from a larger building or an addition. It sounds so hard core and intimidating when in fact it is very literal. It was Friend that suggested the name. You see, Friend has a name for everything. Her car is Edward “Eddie”, her phone is Harrison (or maybe that is her computer system in Eddie), my lime green baby weights are Leon…..please don’t tell her I forgot what she named my med ball. Friend is also the most diehard Office fan I have ever met. If you don’t get that connection it’s okay because I wouldn’t if I didn’t have Friend.

I hope you see the love story here? In short, someone (s) believed in me enough to forgive the messy transitions of creating a dream. I was blessed with a supportive husband, a client I now consider one of my closest friends, and a little fitness studio to call my own. In reality, I am the Annex. My training will not be confined to a building or a computer. Creating the Annex is just a stepping stone to give me the courage to follow my heart.

I am proof that dreams can come true with a little (maybe a lot of) love, support, and elbow grease.

Disclaimer: The amazingly supportive husband still has an area to do his manly woodworking stuff. It just provides slightly less ideal working conditions.