Help Save Our Community Gym- Needs new AC to keep doors open

Help Save Our Community Gym and Safe Place – We Need a New A/C Unit to Stay Open

Hello friends, family, neighbors, and kind-hearted strangers,

We never imagined we’d be writing something like this, but here we are, reaching out with humility and hope.

Hi, my name is Mia, and I’m a proud member of a small, community-focused boutique gym that has been more than just a place to work out—it’s been a second home for so many of us.

I’m writing this with a heavy heart, because the owner, trainer and friend is at a crossroads she never imagined she’d face. Shannon is a veteran and a female-first time business owner, and her gym is in urgent need of a new commercial air conditioning unit, and without it, she will be forced to close our doors. The cost of the replacement is approximately $30,000—a number that has felt impossibly out of reach, especially after one of the hardest years of her life.

But let me tell you a little about our gym first, and why we are asking for your help.

Our Mission: More Than Just Fitness

When she purchased the gym, she wanted to create something different. She envisioned a space where people could come not just to get stronger physically, but to find community, connection, and emotional support. Over the years, we’ve built a family. People of all ages, fitness levels, and walks of life come through our doors not only to train, but to heal, to laugh, and to lean on one another.

We celebrate personal victories here—someone’s first attempt to their journey, a parent reclaiming their energy after years of exhaustion, a teenager finding confidence for the first time or a safe place for kids with disabilities. We’ve seen friendships formed, small business owners collaborate, and even a few love stories start here. This gym is a lifeline for many.

We know every name, every goal, every story. We believe that fitness is as much about mental well-being as it is about physical strength, and our members often tell us how being here has helped them through anxiety, depression, loss, and burnout. We are proud of what we’ve built together.

A Year of Personal Struggles

This past year has been one of the most difficult years of the owner’s life. She went through painful personal issues and a long legal process of fighting for her children that left her emotionally and financially drained. During that time, she couldn’t give the business the attention it deserved. She couldn’t grow or reinvest the way she wanted to. She couldn’t market or host community events like we used to.

But she held on. Because even when things got tough, she knew this gym is worth fighting for, the members are worth fighting for. It gave her purpose. It gave others hope. And now, for the first time in a long time, she is legally and emotionally able to rebuild. She has been working tirelessly to breathe new life into this space for all of us.

And just as things were looking up—we got hit with the worst news.

The Air Conditioner Failure

Just now, with summer about to nail us here in Arizona, we learned that our commercial air conditioning system is completely broken and must be replaced. Not repaired—replaced. The total cost is estimated to be up to $30,000, and unfortunately, this isn’t something we can operate without. Our space gets extremely hot, especially in the summer months, and for health and safety reasons, we simply cannot keep the gym open without a functioning HVAC system.

She has exhausted every option—personal savings, credit, and financing—but after the year she has had, her resources and abilities to find the funding is tapped. We don’t have the ability to take on this expense alone, and without immediate help, we’ll be forced to shut our doors permanently.

Why Your Help Matters

This gym isn’t just her livelihood—it’s a safe haven for close to a hundred people in our community. It’s where someone battling depression found routine and structure. It’s where a single mom started carving out time for herself. It’s where a retired veteran discovered a new sense of belonging. It’s where a young girl with Downs Syndrome felt empowered and found her confidence. It’s where people find their power.

If we raise this $30,000, we’ll be able to:

• Replace the commercial air conditioning unit and ensure a safe, healthy training environment for all our members.

• Continue to serve our community and support mental health through fitness and movement.

• Preserve the community we’ve built and the relationships that mean so much to so many.

• Reinvest in new programs to grow the gym, especially for those who can’t afford traditional training options.

When she started this gym, she didn’t do it for the money. She did it because she believed in people. She believes in second chances, in redemption, in building something real. That belief hasn’t changed. She still believes. She just needs help to keep going.

If you’ve ever been to our gym, you’ve felt the vibe — the energy, the encouragement, the laughter between rounds. It’s not just about working out; it’s about lifting each other up. That’s the spirit we are all fighting to protect.

Thank you for reading this, for caring, and for standing with us. Whether you’re a member, a friend, a fellow small business owner, or someone who simply believes in community — thank you for being part of this story. We hope with all our hearts that it’s not the end, but a new beginning.

With love and gratitude,

Mia, Christine, Kris, Christina and many other loving members who need this safe space!