Mission Fitness: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

It feels strange sharing my final post in my series celebrating women business owners given the country’s current situation, but now, more than ever, it’s important to promote local businesses however we can. Fortunately, I was able to complete an in-person interview with the women of Mission Fitness in early March. I hope you’ll support them—and the 3 other businesses—in whatever capacity you can while they navigate temporary closures, cancellations, and improvising through virtual content.

If the familiar sitcom “Cheers” were a fitness center, it would undoubtedly be Mission Fitness, Mobile’s premier, one-stop fitness studio where everybody knows (or will enthusiastically learn!) your name.

At least that’s the impression I get when I visit this beautiful Marine Street fitness oasis and the amazing women who run it.

When I spoke to owner Alison Jones and managers/instructors Katy Meador and Jessica Sweeney, I felt as if we were old friends hanging out in the living room of one of our homes, rather than the sunlit studio lobby amidst the hustle and bustle of their short break between classes.

If you’ve never been to Mission Fitness, you’re missing out. In a single studio, there are classes offered in rowing, barre, TRX, reformer pilates, cycling, and just about any other type of exercise you can imagine.

Instructors are encouraged to be creative and let their personalities shine through their choreography and music selections, and that freedom, as well as the comradery among members and teachers, is what sets Mission apart from other studios.

And, of course, their “mission” to donate a portion of their proceeds to a different member-selected local charity each quarter.

Interestingly enough, none of the women running Mission Fitness began their careers in fitness.

For Alison, becoming a fitness instructor and business owner “was a journey of self-discovery. I was a stock broker for years, and that was not my path.”

After exploring different career options and recognizing her affinity and talent for pilates, Alison took the advice of her own instructor and became certified. “My instructor said ‘you’re really good at this. You should think about getting certified […] so the rest is history.”

Upon further reflection, Alison’s journey to fitness makes sense, because, in her own words, “in my heart, all I really want to do is run fast and jump!”

From left to right, Katy Meador, Jessica Sweeney, and Alison Jones

Though Katy had an athletic childhood, has taught various fitness classes over the years, and is an avid runner, she enjoyed a successful career working for Visit Mobile before joining forces with Mission.

Teaching fitness was somewhat of a missing link for Katy. “I loved my full-time career as well, but I always looked forward to the classes,” she said. “This is my favorite place.”

Much like Katy, Jessica has always enjoyed fitness. She worked as a dental hygienist but began taking pilates classes (taught by Alison herself) while staying home with her three young kids.

Around the time Mission was set to open, Jessica, encouraged by Alison, made the leap into fitness certification and landed her first teaching gig alongside her mentor.

“The fellowship and the sense of family [at Mission] is like no other I’ve experienced.” She also explained that, as a relative newcomer to Mobile, Mission is the first place she’s truly felt a sense of belonging. She even noted that when she walks into the doors of Mission, “it’s like coming home.”

The ideas of “belonging” and “finding home” continued to come up over our conversation. And the importance of “trust.”

Something that stuck out to me about the staff at Mission is that every single employee was courted from Alison’s existing circle of friends and professional peers.

“There wasn’t a single person who was interviewed for a spot here,” said Alison. It was all “people I already knew and loved and trusted.”

I asked about the challenges of running Mission as well as the inspiration and guidance each of the women turn to in order to make Mission the success that it is, and everybody seemed to agree that the charitable aspect—the “sweat for good” motto—is integral to their success.

The challenges, like finding balance between work and home life, are mitigated by the natural willingness for staff members to pitch in and help one another.

“It’s a really big lesson to recognize all of this is bigger than anything that I can do solo,” explained Alison, but “when everybody is doing their fair share, it feels effortless.”

Whether it’s pitching in to cover one another’s shifts or devoting hours to creating a customized routine catered directly at the clients, the instructors and members of Mission are whole-heartedly invested in everyone’s success.

Just like Alison reiterated toward the end of our conversation, “it’s like minds and like hearts and somehow it all just…it works.”

Mission Fitness can be found on the web, Instagram, and Facebook. While the facility navigates uncharted territory due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritizes the safety of its customers and staff, they are offering virtual workouts to members. Be sure to check them out on social media, and once they reopen their doors, schedule that in-person workout right away!