Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Gunn.
Hi Melissa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for health developed at a young age when my father died of lung cancer when I was twelve. I also watched my mother and stepfather gradually gain weight since I was a child and struggle with obesity. This left an impact on me and I began focusing on my own health in my early teens.
After getting my degree, I explored different avenues, but I always kept coming back to follow my true passion- working with people and teaching them how to be healthy.
I obtained my SuperSlow Certification in 2000 and began instructing clients. I soon learned that people just needed help getting started and I related to this. So many people don’t know what to do when they go to a gym, aren’t sure what to do to be in better shape, or how not to injure themselves.
In March 2004, I found a great space tucked away on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. My vision was to create an environment that was private, supportive, and aimed toward helping people be healthier! I was inspired by my mentor in Northern California that had a small exclusive studio and I just loved the environment and no-nonsense way of training.
I have put a lot of research and time into finding the most specialized equipment to give people the safest and most efficient workout. We recently added a new “Biohack” section to complement the unique slow-strength training technique we use in the studio. It is all designed to help people with recovery, osteoporosis, alleviating joint pain, and what I feel is most important- helping to reverse muscle loss as we age. I feel confident I am offering the best possible experience in terms of health and wellness to everyone who walks through our door.
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?
I often say I have two careers: having a family and running a company. I can tell you as a business owner, a mom, and a wife that it is not always a smooth road and it comes with a lot of challenges. I’ve learned not to be a perfectionist or sweat the small stuff. Even today I have thoughts that I have to manage and control. Sometimes I have to balance being a mom and taking care of a client or an employee. Between a husband and two young and energetic boys who keep me active, I have learned how to be more effective with my time and make sure recharging myself is a priority. I love all of it! That’s what keeps me focused and moving forward.
And being shut down for an entire year when the pandemic hit in 2020 was not a piece of cake. I kept in touch with our clients along the way through calls, emails, newsletters, and social media. I pivoted and grew. We introduced virtual training to many of our clients that could not come into the studio. And I pushed myself and started public speaking- sharing my knowledge with other women entrepreneurs and corporate executives. I’ve surprised myself! I never anticipated this.
Looking back, I learned so much from this time and it created opportunities for me to grow and expand. I’ve maintained the foundation of the work I’ve done for over 20 years now but also found new ways to reach people. And if it weren’t for our clients’ overwhelming support and the amazing team I have, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I wanted Pure Strength to be a professional fitness training facility, not a gym. Believe it our not, our workouts are 20 minutes once or twice a week. Utilizing the breakthrough technique of slow cadence strength training on select equipment, we help you reach your fitness goals in a focused and efficient manner. Our goal is to inspire, inform and educate, providing expert one-on-one instruction in an exclusive setting designed for your optimal training experience.
Benefits include:
– Strengthen Bone & Muscle Mass
– Build Cardio & Muscular Endurance
– Increase Metabolic Health
– Gain Mobility & Reduce Back and Neck Pain
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think these three things have driven my success:
1) My passion for the industry and making an impact on health. I want people to experience being able to do things they love, have more energy and stamina every day, and not be in pain. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and I want to dispel those myths. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or be difficult!
2) I love connecting and working with people. I love when they start experiencing the benefits and their life changes and I get to be a part of this. I love teaching people. A lot of people are intimidated by big gym settings and are often doing too much or too little. I want to help as many people as I can and share what I know.
3) Building a system that helps people succeed. For over 25 years, I have been practicing slow cadence training. Why? Because it works! Muscle is foundational to your health and aging gracefully. I believe the specialized technique we employ at Pure Strength is the safest, most effective, and most efficient tool to help people get where they want to be. I have seen the proof in myself and my clients and will never stop doing this. I am inspired every day by what I see and feel fortunate to do this work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PureStrengthLA.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PureStrengthLA
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PureStrengthLA
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/PureStrengthLA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PureStrengthLA
Image Credits
Scott Sapp Photography
