Today we’d like to introduce you to Mari Geier.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mari. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up as an overweight kid, I sought out sports as an outlet to keep the weight in check. In college, I gained quite a bit of weight and topped the scales at 215 pounds and a size 18. As a method to get the weight off I tried many diets. Finally, in 2001 I dropped 40 pounds and committed to learning everything possible about eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. In 2005 I had the opportunity to turn my hobby in group fitness into a small business. I because of a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor part time and then in 2006 I quit my full-time job to pursue my dream of helping others reach their health and fitness goals. Over the years I have studied sports nutrition, weight loss and specialized in preventing injury through smart training.
The American Boot Camp Company was born out of my passion for sports conditioning and my love of pushing people outside their comfort zone. Over 10 years later I still lead workouts daily, creating an environment that challenges beginners and athletes in an encouraging setting. In 2014 my daughter was born and I decided to diversify into another branch of the health industry and went into partnership in a health food store. Now I am able to provide people of all ages counsel on ways to get healthy and stay healthy.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My military friends say the only easy day was yesterday. And although I love what I do, small business ownership is not all glory. In 2012, my marriage of 10 years fell apart and I divorced the next year. Starting over in my late 30’s was scary, but I had many skills to fall back on and I soon fell in love my a childhood friend and in 2014 my beautiful daughter Sally was born. Over the years I have had to make tough decisions where friendships and business collided and I have had to close businesses and downsize for multiple reasons. But I will never give up hope that by teaching people to believe in themselves they can achieve more than they ever thought possible.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the American Boot Camp Company & Nuts ‘n Berries Healthy Market story. Tell us more about the businesses.
The American Boot Camp Company is an outdoor fitness company specializing in group fitness. We are known for tough High-Intensity Interval Workouts and for being capable of accommodating a large and varying range of fitness levels within one group setting. We have been in business since 2005 which makes us one of the longest-running boot camps in the country. I am most proud that we have been able to adapt to market changes and continue to innovate to keep clients engaged and coming back for so many years.
Nuts ‘n Berries, although a new venture is a vitamin and supplement shop that also provides unique healthy foods. We are building the brand through grassroots marketing and work to service our community for all of their alternative health needs. We specialize in organic herbs, educating customers about nutrition and cleaning up their routine as well as providing healthy snacks options. We are one of the few independent health food and supplement establishments in the Metro Atlanta area.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t have especially good luck. But I would say that I happened to get into the boot camp business at the right time. I would prefer to look at it as destiny.
Pricing:
- Boot camp classes range from $20 to less than $12 a class depending on the package your purchase.
Contact Info:
- Address: The American Boot Camp Company has two locations
Blackburn Park
Chastain ParkNuts ‘n Berries Healthy Market is located at 4274 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319 - Website: www.thebootcampcompany.com and www.nutsnberries.com
- Phone: 404-345-2741
- Email: mari@thebootcampcompany.com
- Instagram: /doyoubootcamp
- Facebook: /doyoubootcamp
- Twitter: /doyoubootcamp
