Strength and sisterhood: community is the goal

Something unusual is happening at Tire Trained gym in Marion. On the surface, things look typical. The first round of clients file in before dawn for the 5 a.m. strength training session, sweating it out amid bright pink stability balls and very heavy barbells. The clientele is largely women, encouraged by trainer and owner Amanda Rae Campbell to lift heavy, eat what fits your macros, and lean into each other as a support system.

It is this last item that has truly taken on a life of its own — what began with individual sessions in Amanda’s backyard has become a massive group of corridor women whose bond has transcended the gym. I first learned of Tire Trained not due to any advertising on the part of the business, but because so many people that I am acquainted with were building relationships in the gym that turned into moviegoing groups, dinner buddies, and activity teams.

I asked Amanda if she would speak to the way her gym has become a catalyst for community building.

“I just saw this with the Fourth of July 5k. A group of (my clients) got together and did it — and what a beautiful demonstration of true support! Authentically and organically supporting one another, not just doing it because it looks good. I see introverted people going to Meet Me at the Market and doing dance cardio on a Thursday night. Ultimately, we are elevating our lifestyle and supporting each other through it.”

What does it mean for you to have built something that has now grown beyond the bounds of the space that you built for it?

“That’s the goal. We changed the model of the business last October, and it was a huge risk and a difficult time to go through, but I wanted to expand beyond the four walls of the gym. Creating connection for a common goal. To see it play out now is amazing.”

When you think about the next five or 10 years, how do you envision continuing to build connection and bridge the gap in your life and in your work?

“I don’t think you need the physical space to do that. (I am) growing our mobile app, continuing to connect on social media with many different kinds of people. I have dreamed of doing larger events and traveling to do that. I’m a big believer in being firm on your what and your why. You can’t spend too much energy on the how — if you are clear on your what and why, the how will show up. I call Tire Trained an accidental business. I knew that I wanted to pass this lifestyle along to other people because it changed the trajectory of my life, but I had no idea how I was going to do that. I started in my backyard.”

What should people know about overcoming obstacles?

“Setting expectations that there will be obstacles is huge. I tell my clients there are going to be difficult times ahead, you have to find ways to be prepared for them instead of giving up. One example is how terrified we are when we are trying something new. I tell them — be scared, be frustrated. We try to run away from these feelings but that’s not where growth happens. Obstacles are a good thing. We talk about failure when it comes to strength training — reaching failure is a good thing because you’re going to walk away from it with information.”

When you think about legacy, what do you hope that the people who have engaged with you in this life will take away from their experiences with you? When you’re gone, what do you want to be the lesson that’s left behind?

“The power of inclusivity. It can be tremendously impactful if you maintain an inclusive perspective. A quote hangs in the gym now — replace judgment with curiosity. I think if more people did that, we would make this world better.”

How do you approach leadership in the gym?

“I try to strike a good balance of compassion and understanding and empathy with high expectation. The best thing somebody can do for you is have high expectation of you at your level.”

For many of us, what propelled us into a life of building community was either the need to provide something that we were missing in our own lives, or a desire to pay forward the blessings that we received from others. Do you feel either of these is the case for you?

Amanda leans back against the green velvet couch cushion and pauses to consider her words for a moment.

“Both. This is a pretty emotional topic for me. I come from poverty. We were homeless a couple of times. I very much want to provide opportunity for the underdog. What I am giving people is what I would have wanted — whether it’s the start of my fitness journey or real life advice. I have had wonderful experience and opportunities over time as I started Tire Trained and I would love to pay that forward.”

Sofia DeMartino is a Gazette editorial fellow. sofia.demartino@thegazette.com