We recently connected with Meghan Henderson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Meghan, thanks for joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
For over ten years, I dreamed of creating a fitness and wellness retreat for my clients—a joyful weekend for busy women to connect over friendships, fun and fitness. This dream finally became a reality with the launch of the Vary-8 Fitness Retreats! We craft an incredible weekend filled with healthy meals, energizing workouts and yoga sessions. But that was just the beginning: we also enjoyed shopping excursions, nature hikes, themed dinners, dress-up nights, a dance party on a boat, time to journal and set goals and endless laughter through games and live music.
There are plenty of fitness groups out there, but few have the community and energy that our Vary-8 family shares. These women have been through so many highs and lows together, building connections that truly last.
One of the most heartwarming parts of the retreat is an activity we do each year—signing each other’s journals, like a yearbook. Each woman writes a few sentences for another—what we adore about her, a favorite quote, or a personal note. These words of encouragement go home with each of us and become something special to look back on during tough days or whenever we need a little boost.
For some of these women, this retreat was the first time away from the demands of corporate jobs, motherhood, or daily life. This space has become a drama-free, laughter-filled haven. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“This is the most fun I’ve had as an adult.”
“I needed this time and these women more than I could have known.”
“I didn’t want this weekend to end.”
“This is the most amazing group of women. I laughed until my face and stomach hurt.”
Yes, we focused on fitness and nourishing our bodies with wholesome food, but more than that—we nourished our souls.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hey there! I’m Meghan, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to my fitness business, Vary-8—a vibrant space for women where fitness, fun and community meet! Through Vary-8, I offer large group training, small group training, personal training, online programming, and nutrition coaching, plus an activewear boutique to keep you looking fierce in and out of the gym. I created Vary-8 to help women find balance—between workouts, nutrition, family {and cupcakes!}. My goal is to empower women to become the strongest, healthiest, and happiest versions of themselves.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, I bring motivating, science-based workouts and personalized nutrition to the amazing women in our community. My journey has taken me through roles with Nike, Cowboys Fit, and 24-Hour Fitness, which all helped lay the foundation for Vary-8. Here, I combine the best of what I’ve learned into unique, results-driven fitness and nutrition programs like Vary-8, my personal training, and theFITdrop virtual nutrition and strength program. My training draws from a wide range of fitness styles—from martial arts to dance fitness, strength training, agility, Pilates and barre—all fused into the Vary-8 Method.
What makes Vary-8 unique? I focus on eight essential elements: power, strength, agility, endurance, core, mobility, community, and energy. It’s not just about looks or bikini bodies; it’s about sustainable health and lifelong wellness. The 8 in my logo is an infinity sign and truly represents the lifelong journey to living a long and healthy life. We build strength that fuels us for the “marathon of life,” so that every woman can tackle her days feeling unstoppable.
I’m proud to hold over 20 specialty certifications, including:
* 💪 Certified Personal Trainer
* 🍏 Certified Nutrition Coach
* 🎀 Certified Menopause and Perimenopause Wellness Expert & Hormone Balancing Specialist
* 👙 Core Training Specialist
* 💥 Weight Loss Specialist
* 🙌 Corrective Exercise Certified
* 💛 Active Aging Movement Coach
Vary-8 is a safe, energetic place where women come for the strength and stay for the community. Our events are all about connection—from monthly tribe gatherings and themed workouts to parties, retreats, holiday celebrations, and even a Pickleball League! We’re not just building muscles here; we’re creating friendships that last.
How did it all begin?
My love for movement started with dance at age three, continued through high school, and led me to create and captain the UT Dallas Power Dancers in college. After that, I found myself taking every fitness class I could while working in advertising. Fitness became my happy place, and with my husband’s encouragement, I became certified and started teaching group fitness as a hobby—teaching up to 12 classes a week while working a full-time ad job!
When I had my first child, my perspective shifted. I knew I wanted to be there for my son and my family, and that’s when I decided to take a leap and pursue fitness full-time. But it was after my second child, when a maternity leave paperwork slip-up caused me to lose my classes, that my mother-in-law gave me the best advice: “Why don’t you start your own thing? People will follow you.” That simple statement launched Vary-8! I ran my first 6-week boot camp with a waitlist, and I’ve never looked back.
Running Vary-8 has been a true calling. I’ve built my business largely through social media, blending my experience in advertising with my love for fitness. Many of my clients joined in the early days when we were all managing young kids and growing families. Now, we’re navigating the exciting phase of hormone changes and bustling schedules with older kids, and I couldn’t be more proud of how we’ve grown and adapted together.
Vary-8 is more than just a fitness program; it’s a community of strong, resilient, inspiring women. We lift weights, we lift each other, and we lift our spirits together. Whether you’re looking for a fun, engaging way to stay fit, or you’re ready to transform your life with a like-minded tribe by your side—this is the place for you. Come see what makes Vary-8 so special, and let’s get stronger, together!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Fitness during the pandemic was a wild ride! I’ll never forget that night in March 2020—I finished teaching an 8-9pm class, only to get to my car and see an email saying the facility I sublease was closing for “two weeks.” I didn’t teach there again for nearly a year! But within days, I’d pivoted and started streaming workouts through a closed Facebook group for my members, and pivot became my middle name.
I didn’t have all the technical aspects figured out. I didn’t plan and get tons of equipment. I just dove in headfirst to keep everyone moving.
Over that year, I streamed nearly 500 workouts for my community, keeping us connected through every up and down. The energy we created together was incredible. I brought themes and dress-ups to keep things fun and uplifting—Halloween Week was legendary, with six unique costumes and matching themed workouts! Members joined in, dressing up, posting photos, and cheering each other on. We even had virtual dress-up competitions and Zoom happy hours to keep the vibe strong.
When the facility reopened in February 2021, we returned stronger than ever. Many small gyms didn’t make it, but our community not only survived, we thrived. Looking back, I’m so grateful for the resilience and connection we found in each other—it was truly a lifeline during such uncertain times.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
For me, success in this field all comes down to genuine, heartfelt customer service. The women I serve are more than clients; they’re truly dear friends. I don’t see anyone as a dollar sign—I see them as friends who I’m honored to encourage. There have been times when some have hit financial hardships, and I offered classes for free because the last thing I wanted was for them to lose the joy, support, and consistency of working out. I’ve stood alongside women through so much: loss of pregnancies, spouses, jobs, and the heartbreak of divorce. But we’ve also celebrated so many joyful moments—new jobs, babies, goals achieved, weddings, and personal victories. I feel all of it with them, the highs and the lows. When you treat people like family, you’ll always go the extra mile to make things right for them.
Every workout I create is carefully crafted with each individual in mind. I know that Gini will love this core section, Jill will get fired up for the cardio interval, and Jenny lives for booty work! I base everything in science and make it fun, but I also think about them. When you put people above the bottom line, you build something truly special.
One book that has shaped my approach is Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, which emphasizes creating the best possible experience for every single client. This has become my personal standard. I want every workout, event, and interaction to feel memorable and meaningful. Sometimes, that one hour we spend together is the best thing to happen to someone all week, and it’s such a privilege to make that time something they’ll look forward to and feel supported by.
The experience matters as much as the exercises. I pay attention to the details—the decorations, prizes, themes, workouts, even the graphics I make! Each element is crafted with love for this program and these women. I believe that the way you do one thing is the way you do everything, and I put all my energy, passion, and love into every part of this journey.
What drives me most are these incredible women. When they say, “Wow, that was an amazing workout,” or “The Christmas party was perfect!” or “The retreat details were so fun—I can’t wait for next year!” it fills me up. It’s more than a business—it’s a community of friends who inspire me every single day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thrivecoach.link/y3tZVFAW
- Instagram: @findyourfitplace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanhenderson7
