Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Tirrell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been interested in health and fitness. I was a track and cross country athlete in high school and went to college at the University of Michigan to study exercise science.
I spent several years working in various fitness centers, in Ann Arbor, MI and New Orleans, LA and had always remained active.
I moved to Houston in July of 2012 and started my CrossFit journey. At first, it was a matter of curiosity and convenience as it was close to where I lived. I noticed almost immediately an improvement in my athletic performance. I went from someone who ran a half marathon in 2 hours, to running marathons fast enough to qualify for Boston. In just a year and a half after I started CrossFit, I ran a personal best marathon of 3:17.
CrossFit changed my life. I became a better athlete, started living a healthy life- style, and was introduced to a great community of people with similar interests.
In October of 2013, I met my now husband, through fitness. We first met at a flag football game but bonded when he told me he had started CrossFit. He asked if he could visit my CrossFit gym with me as he was a new member at CrossFit Relic in Cypress at that time. As our relationship progressed, I moved to Cypress and joined CrossFit Relic with him. After nearly a year of taking classes at Relic I learned the owners were looking to sell. I saw the gym as a perfect opportunity to turn my experience and passion for fitness into a business.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Running a business is time-consuming in ways that I never expected. It has pulled me away from my own training as I spend so much time training other people. The biggest challenge is that I have another full-time job in addition to managing operations at the gym. The business continues to thrive with the help of my amazing coaches. They keep the gym running and their energy keeps me and our athletes going. Seeing the transformation of new members is big for us and keeps us motivated. You can see everything from a mom looking to lose weight, getting into the best shape of her life, or those who just want to run a mile nonstop, to a person who is already athletic reaching goals like doing more pull-ups than they ever have before, or lifting more weight than they thought possible. Seeing the progress of my athletes makes me so proud of what I do.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
CrossFit is a place for people at all levels of fitness. We cater to people looking to get back into shape or athletes looking to do more than they thought possible. One misconception about CrossFit is that it is only for people already in shape. We have members at every level of fitness from age 13 to over 60. We also have a kid’s room which allows our busy parents to bring their children with them.
One thing that stood out from my own journey is that CrossFit takes a different approach to fitness than other programs and gyms. It’s not like going to a gym where you get on a treadmill and run, or step up to an elliptical, it isn’t anything like a traditional group fitness class– It’s all about being together and pushing each other. Each class has a coach who watches the members for proper form, and encourages our athletes to push themselves to achieve their goals. The routines change every day and never feels monotonous. Part of that group feeling and togetherness is all part of CrossFit. At CrossFit Relic, we are a very tight-knit community and have friendships outside of the gym.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up as the youngest of three children to a single mother. My father died when I was two-years-old. We struggled a lot and my mother had trouble supporting our family, but I found comfort in trying to make my dad proud of me even though he was gone.
I did well academically and athletically throughout high school. I was involved in various programs and always strived for excellence. I’m a very motivated person– I have lived on my own since I was 16 and took colleges classes while in high school. I went to a great college and finished in three years while paying for my own education. I also obtained a Master’s Degree, which I finished in a year while working full-time. I am best described as a very driven person, bordering on stubborn.
Pricing:
- $85 for 2x a week
- $115 for 3x a week
- $150 for unlimited
- *Discounts for families, educators, military personnel, first responders, etc.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10750 Barker Cypress Rd. Suite 104
Cypress, TX 77433 - Website: www.crossfitrelic.com
- Phone: 517-231-4362
- Email: jamie@crossfitrelic.com
- Instagram: CrossFit Relic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CrossFitRelic/
Image Credit:
Eric Milliren Photography
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