Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Cornett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?
There are heartwarming stories nearly daily in my gym. Every women comes in with a different goal or purpose. And my heart is filled continuously by these special women. For example Aldi, who walked in the door very shy, looking down did not have much confidence. She is now 80 lbs down, showing her kids videos of the hard works she puts in at the gym and surround by a new group of friends all full of smiles. Then the Sisters Sandy and Vicki who are 72 and 73. They challenge eachother to show up to class everyday. Younger sister Vicki first encouraged Sandy to come. She was so scared to walk in a class as she watched through the window. Finally trying each class and some days 2 in a row! Vicki is in one of my Elite training groups working just as hard and the same weights as the 30-40 years olds. Then seeing the “new to the gym” girls making new friends and finding a community of women who offer so much support inside and outside of the gym.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I came into this business with hesitation in the beginning. But it didn’t take long before I knew owning an all women’s gym is exactly what I am supposed to be doing. We are not like any other gym in this community. While we are women only, we are not about an easy non challenging workout. My goal is not just to provide a gym with challenging classes, top Personal Trainers and the best workout equipment, but it is to give women a place to feel comfortable, non intimidated and confidant. I am so incredibly proud of what we have built in this community. And when I say “we” I am talking about the staff and members. When you are kind to others, kindness is rewarded back. I am told almost daily that everyone in the gym is just so “nice” I tease that when a new member joins they sign a contract of kindness. The truth is, its just become contagious. When a new member joins and feels welcomed, she will do the same when she is in a position to meet someone new. And when you feel like you are part of a welcoming community, you are more motivated to come daily. The side effect of coming more often is a stronger body, My ultimate goal for every member is to leave stronger than when they came in. Build confidence. Build a healthier body in order to fight disease. Reverse age. And to smile and sweat more.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I would choose this profession 100 times over! I do what I do out of passion. I do not take any payout from my gym as my goal is to continue to provide the best equipment and hire and pay the best staff. Planning special events for members and giving gifts is my love language. Every morning I walk in the back door and am immediately filled with excitement. The music is pumping. The chatter is happening. The laughter, sweat, grunting, whining, working and COMMUNITY is happening throughout. There just isn’t a more amazing feeling. I recently acquired my Kickboxing Certification. It has been such an amazing opportunity to offer not only a Cardio Kickboxing class I built but 1:1 Kickboxing sessions with clients. The sense of empowerment they get out of that 30 minute session is like no other workout. It fills my heart to hear the stories of success. While one woman’s success story may be of weight loss, another may be how they got off of medications. I love the excitement when they see their hard work show up in a newly popping bicep or quad. I’m as thrilled for the woman who reached a weight loss goal as much as a muscle gaining result. I get tears learning of new friendships. We have had several babies born with Mommy’s who can hardly wait to come back! I see tears weekly. Some tears are happy ones from being proud of what they’ve accomplished. Some we share are sad from life events or low self esteem. But I hope that we always provide a place where every member feels comfortable sharing, crying and celebrating.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I don’t take my position lightly and I practice what I preach. I am a present owner. I teach up to 7 classes in the studio a week. I currently have 31 Personal and Group Training clients. I try to continue my education and pour my knowledge back into really anyone that wants to learn or listen. While I am in my gym as much as possible, I love the community I live in and work to support as many other small businesses as I can. I do believe if you live your passion in and out of the business it can’t fail. While I don’t enter a restaurant or local shop as “The owner of Shapes” , I also try to always remember that to many people it is who I am no matter where I’m at. So I hope that I show my passion for fitness health and no matter where I am and that people can see through me enough good to want to join our tribe. I believe whole heartedly in charity and giving back. We try to support several local charities both personally and through Shapes. My members have the most amazing hearts when I share a charities needs with them. Whether we are collecting , food for a pantry, toys for kids at Christmas or need participants for a Charity 5K, they show up BIG! Again, practice what you preach. If I’m going to ask I better give. I try to live with a happy heart and a giving attitude. I hope if I am not a friend would call me out. I am definitely far from perfect, but I know that if I was to come off ingenuine or unkind it would hurt me more than the person who was a recipient of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shapesfitnessflowermound.com
- Instagram: shapesftnessflowermound
- Facebook: @shapesflowermound
Image Credits
Sandra Lynch Photography