It’s Coach Chris. I’ll keep this one short & sweet. I just wanted to share one of my favorite member quotes from Jen:
“SSP is the first gym I’ve been to where I have felt truly safe and welcome. I come as I am and I don’t feel like I’m wearing the wrong thing or I’m too old or too big to be here. I have made faster and more impressive gains in strength and confidence here than anywhere else. The coaches really know, I mean KNOW, their stuff and are always able to provide accommodations and are quick with encouragement. I am so thrilled to have found this small but mighty gym.”
I love reading this because it hits at the heart of our mission which is that we believe strength training is for everybody. From day one, we’ve always aimed to create a space where every member feels welcome, supported, and empowered to be themselves while becoming stronger and feeling better.
I’ve read the news every day these past couple weeks, and I’ll be honest that I’ve found it very challenging. Seeing more and more exclusionary policies enacted—whether against transgender people or diversity equity and inclusion programs or immigrants—is something that’s affected me personally every day and I’m sure has had some effect on you as well.
I’m not here to write a political email to you, but one thing I am here to state with confidence and certainty is that I aim (and will always aim) to create an environment of acceptance and safety at SSP. No matter who you are, how you identify, or where you are on your fitness journey, you belong here. Strength is for all of us.
Myself and the entire team are always here to meet you where you’re at so that you feel supported and part of a great community—not only when you’re in our spaces but also feeling stronger and more capable when you leave.