Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori McGuire.
Hi Lori, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been athletic most of my life. I come from a family of athletes –my parents and siblings all inherited “good’ genes. Despite being a brittle diabetic, my father was physically — almost freakishly — strong all his life. He never “worked out” but worked hard whenever he was doing anything, even just mowing the lawn. Maybe he got that from his father, who was a professional baseball player. My mother loved being outside and was very physically active, even just climbing trees. In addition to being a cheerleader, she founded the first women’s softball team in upstate New York in the early 70’s and was the secret weapon pitcher on the team well into her mid-forties. I followed their lead growing up and was involved in everything from dance classes to softball, even earning the “most athletic female” award in my high school. I stayed physically active through my twenties, but once my husband and I started our family, I no longer made time for physical fitness. This continued through my thirties. I woke up one day in my mid-forties and did not recognize the person in the mirror. My family wanted me to join a gym to get a family discount through my employer. But I was resistant. I hated the gym because I did not feel confident about how to work out with weights, despite my knowledge of team sports. We ended up joining a gym as a family. But after two months, I was the only one going. I had formed a routine of early morning strength and cycle classes and became a regular attendee. One day one of the instructors — who became my mentor and now longtime friend — invited me to become a group fitness instructor. I said no, at first — thinking I could could never be physically capable or confident enough to teach a fitness class at my age. But after a couple weeks, I decided to take a chance and register for the training. It was a bit costly, both in money as well as in time and effort. But my mother had passed away six months prior and left all five of her children a very small bit of cash that she stashed away. It was enough to cover the training, equipment and travel. I trained in 2018 to become a cycle instructor first, which is “my first love” in fitness training. Later that same year, I became a group fitness strength instructor. I then studied through the National Academy of Sports Medicine to become a Personal trainer in 2020….. Yes 2020! We all know what happened that year. At that point I formed my LLC so that I could train as a contractor in gyms. I did this as a side hustle for a couple of years while working fulltime as Patient Navigator for Breast Imaging procedures at a cancer center. It was a lot of 5 a.m. personal work out and then late-evening trainings with clients after my 8–10-hour work day in my day job. In 2022 my husband and I decided to take the plunge so I quit my day job to work full time with my LLC. I pivoted and On Location Fitness was my full-time gig. I started meeting clients in their homes or at parks, bringing the equipment and workouts to them. About 8 or 9 months later, my husband and I converted our oldest son’s room into a virtual studio for On Location Fitness. This meant I was now able to train anyone around the world. This year I have collaborated with The True Balance Center for Breath and Body work in Newnan, GA. This provides a brick-and-mortar space for In-Person training, and I teach a one-of-a-kind strength and yoga fusion class twice a week. I like to say I have a trifecta when it comes to training space options that can accommodate any combination of training spaces a client needs. I am truly fortunate to be able to do what I love. I sincerely feel called to do what I do. I believe my physical strengths and interpersonal skills are God-give talents that I am priveledged to share with clients to help them become stronger in their everyday lives. Many of my clients are not body builders or elite athletes; they are the empty nesters who now have time on their hands. Or it’s women who realize physical strength is one of the pillars to ageing with vitality and vigor for decades to come. I love seeing my clients get stronger and more confident. I have a business executive who travels a lot for work.
Since training with me, she has the confidence to walk into a hotel gym and know how to use the equipment. But I gain just as much from my clients, who inspire me daily. One of my most treasured clients is in her late 70’s and is an Olympic-level ice speed skater. She still loves to strength train and is aging with the vitality and strength of many of my clients who are decades younger. I specialize in women’s fitness whether its in the client’s home — virtually or in person — or in a studio atmosphere.
It’s not likely I will make millions working my business, but the richness of life it brings me to facilitate richer lives in others is something I cannot put a price on. As far as On Location Fitness goes, I will keep working at it as long as God provides a way for me to do so or he calls me to do something else for His purposes. My passion for quality of life and maintaining a high level of health is fueled by helping my clients create sensitive life changes and reaching their fitness goals.
Since leaving a 33-year career in healthcare almost three years ago to focus full time on personal training, I have made On Location Fitness into an exceptionally adept fitness training service for women of all ages
My natural ability to genuinely connect with people helps me convince my clients that it is never too late to get stronger and healthier. By taking the time getting to know my clients, I am able to provide unique personalized programming specific to each client’s needs. Focusing on technique, form, instruction and each person’s individual needs — that’s what sets me and On Location Fitness apart
I meet clients in their homes or public location, providing all the equipment and the work out plan. From my virtual training studio, I can train clients traveling out of town or who live anywhere in the world. Whether your goals are weight loss, increasing lean muscle or muscle mass, strength, flexibility, conditioning and cardiopulmonary fitness goals, I am able to use my knowledge, experience and skills to help make clients’ fitness and their goals a part of their everyday life. I believe accountability provides outstanding guidance and motivation and I know “Accountability Can Change You”.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I will say it has not been “easy. I have had to work hard everyday for sure. But because I love what I do, it feels very much like a privilege to work hard on my business that is helping others. There have been late nights studying and doing paperwork, to early mornings training. My struggles include time management, trying to stay consistent and steady, .and focusing on the big picture, even when I am unsure what the next steps are.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I specialize in women’s fitness, strength training, mobility, cardio. I personalize the workouts for each client, meeting them right where they are. My average clients are women, 50 years and older, that need to increase strength to stay active and vital in their lives, keep working in demanding jobs, grand parenting by lifting and chasing grandkids or just general health improvement as they age. I take the workout and equipment to the clients. I also can train anyone from anywhere from my virtual studio. I also now have a brick-and-mortar option through collaboration with the True Balance Center in Newnan Ga. I train clients of all fitness levels. I meet them where they are physically and personalize each work out for them. I am known for my knowledge of and utilization of proper form when it comes to strength training. My ability to connect with my clients and communicate with them in a way they understand to connect to the exercise and learn how to properly execute each one. This leads to what I like to call “compound interest” in fitness gains. Otherwise, when form fails, you bleed strength potential. I have an outstanding knowledge base of anatomy and how the body moves. My health care career of 33 years started as a registered Radiologic Technologist — someone who has a degree in X-ray technology. Most people use the term x-ray technician, but that is someone who does not have a college degree. The difference is an X-Ray Technologist has to know anatomy inside and out to be able to produce quality diagnostic images to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. I am most proud that my brand is geared toward the everyday women. Mothers, grandmothers, professionals , who just want to get the most out of their lives and feel strong and vibrant. I offer personal training, providing equipment at a location of my clients, choice. I offer virtual one-on-one personal training to clients living anywhere. I offer small-group training for 2 to 4 people , group classes of 4 or more people for groups of friends or for small businesses that want to offer a mid-day fitness class before or after work. I am credentialed as a personal trainer through NASM the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Group fitness Instructor through ACE American Council of Exercise. I hold certifications as a cycling instructor through Schwinn and Les Mills RPM, and Les Mills Body Pump strength training, Certified Yoga Instructor through Yoga MU 200hr, Pilates Specialty Training through ACE American Council of Exercise. I offer training packages, in-person training for 1, 2 or 3 times a week; Road Trip, Cross Country and Transcontinental. Training packages for groups or businesses /employers are tailored for the needs of the group or organization.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Take time to think about your vision of your business or idea and write it down. Seek legal council on basics of business formation. Seek out a mentor, someone who you trust and/or has been there,done that. Slow and steady wins the race. When you get knocked down, get back in the saddle again. If you get off course, regroup and decide next steps. Keep going. Don’t give up!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onlocationfit.com
Image Credits
Chey Photography
