Jessica Stout owned two local training gyms before COVID—she had a location in Tempe and one in Ahwatukee.
Over the summer of 2020, she lost her second location due to COVID shutdowns. Jessica is using this setback as a teaching moment for her kids: there are opportunities to be found in any loss or in any struggle.
Read on to hear how when life gets hard, she’s still focused on her strength.
Name: Jessica Stout
Age: 46
Location: TruHIT Fitness Ahwatukee
Children: Gage (26), Avery (7)
Tell us a little bit about your family!
My husband is a former marine and fitness expert. My daughter loves gymnastics and school. My son is working in San Diego in brain research.
You founded your business with your spouse—how does that work?
Owning a business with your spouse means there’s lots of time together, more than most couples get, but it works for us!
Opening the business was my initial dream—I wanted to create my own community that I could support people in their fitness journey. My husband agreed that it was a good fit for us. I am the AM person and he is the PM person, so our time is split perfectly. It’s important that we share the load to avoid burnout, so splitting the shifts works for us in business and at home.
How do you make time for self-care in between all that you have going on?
As a gym owner, I am fitness focused and in many ways. My business creates an atmosphere for me to get plenty of exercise, which is intentional. I work out with my community at TruHIT every morning at 5AM before I do anything else. I also get a monthly massage and get plenty of sleep.
What lessons have you learned in your career that you apply to parenting?
I feel like that is the other way around. I was a parent long before I was a business owner and I feel like parenting gave me patience and gratitude for creating my business. I am inspired and motivated by my kids, for my kids. It is important that they know you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
What do you teach your children about success and failure?
I lost my second location due to COVID, and it was hard and it still is, but the message I pass along to my kids is that there are opportunities to be found in any loss or in any struggle.
Losing the second location gave me the ability to focus twice as much on my Ahwatukee gym and to spend more quality time with my family. I also found out that when things are hard, I am still focused on my strength.
How has motherhood impacted you personally and professionally?
Kids are such a driving force to try harder, think more positively, and see the beauty in everything. There is a determination that is born in you as a mom when your kids are born.
For some fun chit-chat, now!
- Favorite East Valley date night activity? Going to Sushi Ken for a sweet potato roll!
- Favorite restaurant in the East Valley? The Living Room off Ray and the 10
- Last Netflix show you binged? Cobra Kai
- Favorite family tradition? Saturday night pickle ball!
If you’re interested in keeping up with Jessica and her business, give her a follow on IG and FB!
