An emotional anniversary
Kicking off 2021 with a 15-year anniversary is a great way to ring in a New Year. It feels emotional and rewarding to look back and know we made it this far as a community, as a business, and as a team. We have achieved so much together. Literally thousands of pounds of weight loss, millions of check ins, thousands of people on reduced medication or medication-free, thousands of people living happier, healthier, more confident and less stressed lives. What a feat! Congrats to YOU for helping making this dream come true.
As a small business, we showed up in 2020 during the pandemic to serve our members' mental and physical health. We loaned out our equipment, moved our classes to a virtual format and reopened (three times!) with new safety measures in place. It felt like our first year all over again -- creating new systems, changing to meet your needs and state mandates, and getting our feet back underneath us. We are so grateful for everyone who has shown support and stayed active in their membership as their life has allowed.
It is fun to look back to our roots and how we started.
When I moved to Alpena in 2002, I brought a love of fitness with me. Fitness helped me get back in shape after college, manage the stress of a new career in journalism and meet other positive people. It had such an impact on my life, that as young woman starting over in a new community, I looked for ways to share it.
I started teaching group fitness classes around town -- at the Thunder Bay Rec Center and at the Presque Isle Town Hall. I'd bring a mat and boombox and a passion for helping others live fit! With a toddler and a newborn, I partnered with Alpena Regional Medical Center (now Mid Michigan - Alpena) to bring fitness to our community in a bigger way.
I opened BAC as one of the country's first medically-based health clubs on January 16, 2006. This was possible with the support of my family, a local lender from Independent Bank who took a chance on me, the vision of our hospital leaders, and hundreds of community members who believed in the same dream. We have never looked back.
We have welcomed athletes, working parents, seniors, those struggling with a loss, a health condition, obesity and depression. We have served those looking for community, healing, strength and connection. We have loved every day of it.
In addition to owning the club, I still love teaching group fitness all these years later. Being in the trenches of fitness brings me joy and helps me fill a purpose. I'm so grateful for members who continue to sweat alongside me. Both of my kids, Jade (17) and Colt (15) enjoy workouts at the club on a daily basis and Jade has worked at our front desk for years. It's fun to see them so active at BAC as high schoolers. Full circle.
With the help of hundreds of community members and a world-class team, our mission has spread like wildfire for 15 years across northern Michigan. We are in the business of transforming lives. Thank you for 15 years of support and friendship. Onward!
Sincerely,
Trina Gray
Owner, Bay Athletic Club
