Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kyra Gaines. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kyra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

During the peak of COVID, I had an epiphany. I had always dreamed of owning my own space but never knew how I would make it happen. Seeing how quickly life can change made me decide not to wait any longer, I was going to figure it out as I went.

I spent much of 2021 preparing, and by January 2022 I got the keys to my gym. It felt like the best birthday gift I could have given myself. The space had previously been a gym, so while I didn’t have to do demolition, there was still plenty of work to do, painting, flooring, lighting, and equipment. My dad, a licensed general contractor, took the lead on most of it, and my family and partner supported me every step of the way.

We held our grand opening in June 2022. At that time, I was still working full-time as an Executive Administrative Assistant while trying to get the business off the ground. I thought I could balance both, but it became clear by September that I had to go all in. I left my job and became a full-time entrepreneur. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made, both terrifying and liberating, but also the most necessary.

The early months were tough. I didn’t have everything, only part of the gym was floored, and equipment was limited. But I opened the doors anyway, started training the clients who followed me from other studios, and let things grow organically. Each step required faith, flexibility, and the belief that if I was going to bet on anyone, it had to be myself.

My advice for anyone considering starting their own practice is: don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start with what you have, lean on your community, and stay consistent. The challenges will come, but so will the growth. Faith, persistence, and hard work will carry you through.

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.

My name is Kyra Gaines, and I am the founder and owner of Wellness Gaines Fitness in Renton, WA. I come from an athletic background, having run track at Eastern Washington University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and later studying at the University of Colorado. The transition away from competitive athletics was difficult, without the structure of a team and track schedule, I struggled with weight gain, depression, and redefining my relationship with health. Moving to Colorado, alone and starting from scratch, taught me resilience. I had to rebuild myself physically and emotionally, and that experience gave me insight into what it feels like to start over, even for someone who was once “always fit.”

That journey inspired me to begin training friends and eventually working in studios once I returned to Washington. Through those experiences, I saw gaps in the industry, gyms and studios often preached inclusivity, but representation was lacking. Spaces were intimidating for many women, and too often, women (myself included) didn’t feel safe or comfortable. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and I wanted to create a space that reflects that truth.

Wellness Gaines Fitness is more than a gym, it’s a community. We offer a wide range of branded classes like HIIT Gaines, Strength Gaines, Step Gaines, Flow Gaines, Serenity Gaines, and more, plus personal training and youth programming like Camp Gaines. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating a welcoming environment where women, Black and Brown communities, and people of all backgrounds feel represented, respected, and empowered.

I am proud that Wellness Gaines has become a space where people not only train their bodies but also build confidence, find belonging, and see examples of leadership that reflect them. My goal is to continue showing others, especially women who look like me, that fitness is for us, too. Representation matters, and Wellness Gaines is proof that when you bet on yourself, you can also open the doors for others to thrive.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For me, the most effective strategy has been focusing on community first. A lot of gyms push sales, but I’ve learned that people stay when they feel seen, supported, and connected. I make a point to know members’ names, celebrate their milestones, and create an environment where they don’t just come for a workout, they come because they feel they belong.

Social media has been another key tool. Consistently posting authentic content, from class clips to personal reflections, helps people see both the brand and the heart behind it. Referrals have also been huge; when clients feel proud to bring their friends or family, it naturally grows the Wellness Gaines community.

At the end of the day, it’s about relationships over transactions. When you prioritize people and their experiences, growth follows.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Opening Wellness Gaines Fitness was truly a leap of faith. I signed the lease in January 2022, and while I was excited, I was also still working full-time as an Executive Administrative Assistant. Balancing the demands of building a business from scratch while working a demanding job was exhausting. My original plan was to wait until the end of the year before leaving my job, but by September 2022 it became clear that if I wanted the business to succeed, I needed to put all my energy into it.

It wasn’t easy walking away from stability to become a full-time entrepreneur. There were months of uncertainty and long days where I questioned if I could keep going. But I relied on my faith, leaned on my support system, and pushed forward even when things felt overwhelming. Now, looking back, that decision was a turning point. It forced me to rise to the challenge, adapt quickly, and trust myself.

Resilience, for me, has been about showing up even when it’s hard, and that’s the same spirit I try to instill in my members.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wellnessgainesrenton.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessgainesrenton/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnessgainesrenton
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyra-gaines-05a77765/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wellnessgainesfitness
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wellnessgaines206

Image Credits

Dalin Costello II
IG: @shotsxsello