Marie Merritt
Founder, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach at Momentum Fit

Momentum Fit started with a simple belief. Training should be personal, intentional, and centered around the individual. I started this business at the young and naive age of 21 after working in an environment where my values did not align with the owner and the way clients were treated. I couldn’t support the experience being delivered, and I knew there was a better way to coach. One that focused on the person in front of me, respected the process, and showed up consistently.

I began with a small group of clients in a modest space subleasing from a local golf professional. I worked, saved, and reinvested everything back into the business. Over time, the space grew, the equipment improved, and the team expanded. At the 10-year mark, I opened a second location. A year later, I made the decision to close it so I could focus on strengthening what we had already built. I needed to invest more into our people and our infrastructure, not just more space. The business has gone through challenges. I navigated the 2008 housing crisis, adapted through COVID, and faced my own physical setbacks. After a severe injury, I spent two years working through multiple surgeries and had to relearn how to move and train. That process changed how I coach. I pay closer attention. I think long-term. I focus on helping people build something that lasts. It also changed how I lead. I moved from doing everything myself to building a team I trust. I’ve learned to rely on them, support them, and give them space to grow.

Today, our clients are supported by a group of coaches who communicate, share insight, and work together to deliver a consistent experience. I believe this industry needs coaches who take their role seriously. The human connection matters. Our clients trust us to help them move safely, progress over time, and build strength that supports their lives outside the gym. Fitness is a tool. It should create more freedom, not restriction. It should help people do more of what matters to them. It is not just about aesthetics or body composition. It is about building a foundation that supports how you want to live. Looking ahead

I want Momentum to be a place where both young and experienced coaches know they matter and have the opportunity to make an impact in our clients’ lives and our community. I want to continue improving the health of our community and help people take ownership of how they move, train, and care for themselves. Momentum Fit started with a belief. It continues with a standard.