Today we’d like to introduce you to Zac Shoulders.
Hi Zac, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was the director of physical activity at the exxon mobil campus until 2020. My dream had always been to own a gym, but I had an amazing job and would have never taken the risk to leave and start my own. But, because of covid, I lost that cushy job. I started the process of opening MoCo Bouldering and Fitness in 2021. However, during that time it was incredibly hard to find a landowner who would lease space to a gym after covid. I ended up calling the mayor of Conroe and explained my situation. I also explained how Conroe needs a recreational facility such as ours. He got us connected to a few people and we found our location! Getting this place open is quite the story and I would love to tell it more in depth.
Alright, 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?
Far from smooth. Finding a location took years. Investors pulling out. Building in Conroe and getting through permitting for a climbing gym was a nightmare.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about MoCo Bouldering and Fitness?
We are a bouldering (rock climbing) and fitness center. We treat rock climbing like a sport and means to workout. We do offer parties and team building events to help with exposure to the gym and sport. Our facility is 15,000 square feet. We have over 6000 feet of climbing surface. We have a 4000 square foot traditional workout area, and 2000 square foot group fitness class room. We facilitate a welcoming and encouraging community. It’s much different than other gyms in that way. In climbing, whether you’re good, or brand new, you end up failing a lot. You’re not going to get to the top of most climbs. And that has a funny way of bringing people together. We have created a place where people just love coming. They might not be climbing or working out that day, but they still come in just to hangout. See their friends, watch people climb, and just chill in a fun welcoming environment. The gym is perfect for families, kids can climb, while the parents workout or take part in one of our group fitness classes. And of course, the parents can climb right along side of their kids!
What matters most to you? Why?
When I first started working out in high school, fitness became a really important outlet for me. It helped me manage anxiety and depression, and it gave me a sense of confidence and self-worth that I didn’t have before. That experience changed my life — and it’s something I still rely on today.
So what matters most to me about my gym isn’t just the workouts or the equipment, it’s that other people can find that same kind of relief, confidence, and sense of belonging. I want my gym to be a place where people walk in stressed or uncertain, but leave feeling stronger — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too
Pricing:
- Monthly membership $85
- Student membership $75
- Day pass $20
- Birthday parties $250
- Team Building Event $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mocobouldering.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moco.gym?igsh=MXFydGZrbmlmcHR6OA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GVPneeDSN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
