Community Highlights: Meet Fani Marquez of REC Shop Training Facility

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fani Marquez.

Hi Fani, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’d like to start by saying I was born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, and came to the United States when I was almost two years old. I’m one of nine siblings, and growing up in a big, tight-knit family shaped my work ethic, resilience, and deep belief in community…

Fast forward to 2018, I first walked into REC Shop eight years ago as a guest at an event. I signed up for a challenge, became a member, and had no idea that decision would completely change the course of my life.

At the time, I was a student at Cal State Fullerton pursuing my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology. When the previous owner mentioned he was looking for instructors, I almost didn’t apply. I had very little experience, just training family and friends for free, but I took a leap of faith. That leap turned into an internship at REC Shop, and after completing it, I was hired on as an instructor and personal trainer.

About a year later, I was offered the opportunity to take over the gym. My husband and I said yes, even though we knew it would stretch us in every way. We officially took ownership in January 2020…only to be forced to close our doors three days before our grand opening due to COVID.

What followed was one of the hardest seasons of my life. We fought to survive as a business, and we did. In 2021, REC Shop was recognized as Business of the Month by the City of Chino. A year later, we were given the opportunity to expand and triple our space.

Behind the scenes, life was heavy. I was caregiving for my parents during their final years, losing them one year apart, all while becoming a first-time mom and continuing to lead a growing business. There were moments I didn’t know how I would keep going but I did, because of faith, community, and an incredible support system and team who carried this vision with me.

In 2025, REC Shop celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a community-wide event. Standing in that space, surrounded by people whose lives have been impacted by this gym, was a full-circle moment. REC Shop has always been more than fitness… it’s resilience, connection, and proof that even through loss and uncertainty, something meaningful can still be built.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The obstacles didn’t come one at a time—they came in waves.

In March 2020, just days after taking ownership, COVID shut us down completely. A few months later, in July, our entire gym flooded and we were forced to close again. We reopened, adapted, and kept going. By 2021, we had outgrown our space and were literally training clients outside just to continue serving our community.

In 2022, we made the bold decision to expand—tripling our space and our expenses—while I was also pregnant with our first child. My husband, who is a general contractor, completely remodeled the gym not once but twice, all while my team and I were still running classes. Construction and coaching happened side by side, which came with long days, constant problem solving, and plenty of challenges—but it also showed us how strong we are as a team and how committed we are to what we’re building.

Then life shifted in a much heavier way. In 2023, my dad became very sick and required full-time caregiving. In May 2024, we lost him. Just months later, in February 2025, my mom suffered a stroke and endured a six-month battle with brain bleeds. She passed away in July 2025.

Through all of this, I was leading a business, raising a family, grieving deeply, and learning how to keep showing up even when I felt empty. There were seasons where survival—not growth—was the win.

Now in 2026, I’m still fighting, still growing, and still deeply grateful. REC Shop exists because of resilience, faith, community, and the decision to keep going even when stopping would have been easier. Every challenge shaped the leader I am today—and the heart behind everything we build.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
REC Shop is a private training facility built around more than just workouts. We specialize in strength and conditioning training through group fitness classes & personal training. Grounded in three core pillars, we create real, lasting results: fitness, nutrition, and accountability. We also proudly house independent trainers who run their own businesses and serve their personal training clients within our space.

What truly sets REC Shop apart isn’t the equipment or the programming—it’s the community. Our number one compliment has always been our culture. I’m incredibly proud of our team and members for protecting a supportive, welcoming environment year after year. That doesn’t happen by accident. My team and I have intentionally invested in our coaching, systems, and standards so our members feel seen, supported, and challenged in the best way.

Whether someone is looking for one-on-one training, small group coaching, large group classes, nutrition guidance, or simply accountability, REC Shop meets people where they are and walks with them toward their goals.

We’ve also built REC Shop to be a true one-stop shop for wellness through in-house partnerships that align with our mission. We’re home to Del Carmen Skin & Beauty, owned by esthetician Clara Ornelas; Simply Fit Meals, a meal prep company owned by Noemi Hernandez; and our newest addition, Liv Coffee, owned by Armando and Lily Cervantes. Each partner brings their own passion and expertise, helping us serve our community beyond the gym floor.

At its core, REC Shop stands for Revive, Evolve, and Conquer and those words are more than a tagline to us.

Revive your youthful spirit. We help people reconnect with their energy, confidence, and belief in themselves — sometimes for the first time in years.

Evolve into a stronger version of yourself. Strength isn’t just physical. It’s mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. We challenge our members to level up in every area of their lives.

Conquer the challenges that stand in your way. Whether it’s weight loss, self-doubt, discipline, or life’s unexpected hardships, we train people to face obstacles head-on and win.

That philosophy shapes everything we do — from our coaching style to the culture we protect. We’re not just building stronger bodies; we’re building stronger people.

As someone born in Mexico and raised as one of nine siblings, community has always been part of my DNA. That’s why REC Shop doesn’t just feel like a gym — it feels like family.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I start every morning grounded in faith and reflection. My day begins with Jesus Calling by Sarah Young—a daily devotional gifted to me by a local female gym owner who saw me at my lowest after my dad passed away. She recognized that I needed to restore my faith, and that gift still carries me.

I also read my Bible, which was given to me by a long-time member after my mom passed. It’s a daily reminder of how deeply this community supports me beyond the gym walls. I then spend time with The Maxwell Daily Reader by John C. Maxwell, a book gifted by a mentor in 2020 that continues to shape how I lead and grow.

For journaling, I used to use The Five Minute Journal, but I now use The Soul Care Club Journal. I love it because it allows me to reflect, plan intentionally, and keep my life aligned during busy seasons.

As for podcasts, my current favorite for entrepreneurship is Build with Leila Hormozi. I appreciate the clarity, honesty, and practical insights it brings to building strong, sustainable businesses.

Pricing:

• We are by appointment only because all of our programs are custom.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.recshoptraining.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recshoptraining/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561551278693
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/ZBHb-IKCfr
• Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2tXJRaScmh5FJfVs7?g_st=ic

Image Credits
Ed Diaz, Lauren Nign, Amy Avila,