Today we’d like to introduce you to Regan Thompson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was in an unhealthy marriage and I was no longer the Regan I once knew. My eating and sleeping habits contributed to me weighing in at 249 pounds and wearing a size 20. The weight gain left me sad, with many hurdles to get over both physically and emotionally. I did the hardest thing and filed for divorce, then started working out and changed my eating habits. Losing over 100 pounds with diet and exercise transformed my life and lead me to become a personal trainer because everyone watched as I dramatically changed and wanted me to help them do the same thing. Being a single mom, I knew I needed to find a way to provide for my children but I wanted to still be around to be “mom.” I began studying, taking workshops and soon became certified. Since I needed to make my own schedule and I was already helping so many friends get results, it was a simple transition not to go work for someone else and start F.I.T. By Regan which stands for Fun, Intense, Training by Regan. I do in-client home personalized training sessions helping people live healthier lives. I love what I do and am very blessed to still be doing it 12 years later!
MECKKA Dance Project
I have five children, two of whom are dancers. They grew up dancing in a local studio where they were surrounded by friendship, love, and support. My daughter Chloe is a very advanced dancer, we went to New York and auditioned for Dance Moms and she made it all the way to the network for casting. (I believe I it was me that wasn’t “drama” enough for the show) Once she did this, our eyes were opened to a “new world” of dance. I was meeting so many people in the industry outside of just Texas and I realized my kids were not getting everything they need to grow their dance skills at the studio we were currently in. I spoke with the owner and she was very happy with where her studio was at (understandable, she is very successful), so I started sending my girls all over the US for training, costing me a fortune!
While my daughters continued competing and working at her studio, I talked with the owner and let her know my vision of starting a performance/dance team. We came up with an agreement so I would not be intruding on her business and I could do what I was being led to do. MECKKA was born and has been a success! We have been National Champions two years in a row and have opened up for Blake McGrath and performed at the Worldfest Awards Gala. I use social media to promote each of my dancers and look for opportunities that will expose them to a unique experience. It has not always been easy but we are now in our 3rd year and I am so very blessed. I love watching my girls, meaning ALL my girls (dance team) do what they love to do and grow in their gifts. I have big plans for MECKKA and look forward to the future.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The challenge along the way had not been getting clients. Word of mouth has does amazing things for me! My issues were being too lax with my clients putting myself in jams because I would become friends with everyone I trained. For example, if someone would cancel, I would not charge but yet couldn’t give their spot away, therefore, lose out on income, some people who had 18 sessions would drag them out four months by canceling instead of using them in the six weeks per the package. Once I married my husband and he saw what was going on, he redid my contracts covering all of the areas that were causing my financial and emotional grief. I had to be strong enough to let clients know I would not renew their contracts when done and make sure I stood to my contractual terms with the occasional acceptance for my new clients. Since then, everything has run smoothly. I get to do what I love which is fitness and help people change their lives!
MECKKA Dance Project
Whew! This has not been easy but it is so worth it. I am in a whole new realm. Yes, I have dancers as daughters and know many in the industry that I have learned from but other than that I am learning as I go. I want to offer my team opportunities they do not get elsewhere and I want each member to feel/know their worth, not just as dancers but as individuals. I love watching each one grow and do things they never realized they could. Each year, my team members have changed but each year I have the best group of girls and moms! This year, in particular, has been hard with having issues with losing members of the team and reblocking dances, etc. However, I have faith it will be another successful year for MECKKA and I love each of the members of our team.
F.I.T.By Regan and MECKKA Dance Project – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What makes what I do different is I actually go to clients homes to train. There are no excuses as to why a client couldn’t make it to the gym because the gym comes to you! My workouts are never the same, they are hard but I make them fun! I meet my clients at their current fitness levels, then I push clients to do things they believe they can’t. I encourage and motivate clients to show them they can! I will even workout with clients if that is what is needed to get through it. My goal is my client’s success and good health.
MECKKA Dance Project
We are a performance and competitive dance team. Our first two years we were National Champions! Although I love the competition I love giving the girls opportunities to do other things. We have been asked to perform at numerous events, asked to do photo shoots, and so much more. I use social media to promote each dancer and showcase them individually and as a team. We are not a “kill and drill” type of studio. We do our team practice which is focused on our competitive dance numbers only once a week and we do training classes open to everyone the other days to improve our skills. I also encourage my dancers to try classes at other places, broaden their horizons.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Helping a teacher lose over 80lbs., get off five of her six medications, and help build her confidence.
Helping a client fall in love with fitness, trained her and competed with her in an obstacle race and after that, SHE started helping others.
MECKKA Dance Project
Bringing a group of girls from all different locations surrounding Houston who has never met before together and create a dynamic dance team who treat each other like family.
Contact Info:
- Email: Meckka_Dance_Project@hotmail.com ; fitbyregan@gmail.com
- Instagram: Meckka_Dance_project
- Facebook: Meckka Dance Project
Image Credit:
Steven Grant (Grant Foto), Bryan Anderson
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