We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marcus Leemcduffie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marcus, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission behind Aion Training is deeply personal and rooted in my own journey of finding strength and connection during challenging times. In college, I experienced pain—physical, mental, and emotional—and felt isolated and uncertain about where I belonged. The gym became a refuge for me, a place where I could reconnect with myself, heal, and feel a sense of community.

This experience shaped my vision for Aion Training. I wanted to create a space where others could experience the same healing and connection—where people could get out of pain through self-care and the power of community. Whether that pain is physical, mental, or emotional, Aion is a place where you’re supported to work through it with the tools, guidance, and encouragement you need.

One part of the mission that means the most to me is giving people over 40 a place where they feel like they belong. In a world that often forgets or overlooks this age group, we make it clear: you are seen, you are valued, and you have a community here. Aion is more than a gym—it’s a place to feel supported, to rediscover yourself, and to realize that it’s never too late to take ownership of your health and well-being.

This mission resonates with me because I know how transformative it can be to have a space where you’re not just another number. Aion is about fostering connection, building strength in every sense of the word, and reminding people that they’re not alone. Watching our members thrive, both in their bodies and in their sense of belonging, is what drives me every day to carry this mission forward.

Marcus, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Marcus McDuffie, the founder of Aion Training, a fitness studio designed to serve individuals over 40 who often feel forgotten by society. My journey into this industry started with a personal need for connection and healing. In college, I experienced isolation and physical pain that left me feeling lost. The gym became my safe haven—a place where I not only found strength but also a sense of belonging. That experience shaped my desire to create something bigger: a space where others could feel seen, supported, and empowered to reclaim their health and well-being.

Aion Training isn’t just a gym—it’s a community. We focus on helping people get out of pain, whether that’s physical, mental, or emotional, through personalized fitness programs, education, and the power of connection. What sets us apart is our emphasis on serving people over 40, a group that is often overlooked in the fitness world. We create an environment where our members feel like they belong and where they can thrive, no matter their starting point.

Our services include small group personal training, which allows for personalized attention in a supportive setting, and a focus on building strength, mobility, and confidence. We also prioritize education, helping our members understand how to move better, eat smarter, and approach fitness in a sustainable way.

What I’m most proud of is the transformation I see in our members—not just in their physical strength but in how they show up for themselves and their community. Watching someone go from feeling uncertain or stuck to standing taller, moving pain-free, and believing in themselves is what makes this work so meaningful to me.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about Aion, it’s that we’re here to remind you that you’re not alone and that it’s never too late to take control of your health. Our mission is to create a space where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to show up for themselves every single day.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was viewing spending money on mentors, education, and marketing as a scary expense rather than a powerful investment. Growing up during the recession, I saw my parents experience financial stress, and that shaped my early mindset around money. I often felt the need to hold onto what I had tightly, fearing that spending would leave me with nothing.

When I founded Aion Training in 2019, I quickly realized that operating from a scarcity mindset wasn’t going to help me grow. The shift came gradually, as I started investing in personal development, marketing, and mentorship. It felt uncomfortable at first—spending money on things that didn’t have an immediate, tangible return was nerve-wracking. But over the last six years, I’ve invested over $100,000 in my personal and professional growth. Every dollar I spent helped me not only build a stronger business but also become a more confident and capable leader.

Unlearning the scarcity mindset and embracing the abundance that comes from investing in myself was transformative. I learned that spending money strategically on the right things creates opportunities for growth, not just for me but for my business and my team. Now, I view those investments as one of the smartest decisions I’ve made because they’ve helped Aion Training evolve into what it is today.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale comes down to a balance of support and challenge. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the power of clarity. Your team needs to understand their role, how their work contributes to the bigger picture, and what success looks like. Clarity eliminates confusion and gives people confidence in their work.

The second piece is truly seeing your team as individuals. Take the time to understand what motivates them, what they’re struggling with, and how you can support their growth. Something as simple as asking about their goals—both in and out of work—can go a long way. Most people have never been asked those questions, and doing so creates a sense of belonging and trust.

I’ve drawn a lot from systems like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), the principles in Multipliers, and Patrick Lencioni’s insights on engagement. What all of these taught me is that maintaining morale isn’t about being hands-off or micromanaging—it’s about finding the balance. Give your team enough structure to feel secure, challenge them to grow, and make it clear that they’re supported. When you get that right, people show up not just because they have to but because they genuinely want to be part of what you’re building.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aiontraining.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiontraining/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/aiontrainingfitness
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aiontraining4731
• Other: Free Trial Link: https://trial.aiontraining.com/freeweek

Image Credits

Kathryn Mueller