Meet Shelbi Vaughan Walley | Gym Owner/Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelbi Vaughan Walley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelbi, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I decided to open 911 Fitness I was 7 months pregnant. I knew it was going to be hard but I knew it would be worth it! I actually went back to work 3 days after having my baby. And had my grand opening 4 weeks later! It was very different from having my first child because this one was along for the ride! Going to 5 am class with me and all. My kids do come to work with me and I am grateful for that! But it does get tricky at times when I have to take my older one who is 3 and goes to a Mother’s Day out program or dr appointment or if someone gets sick. My Husband has been so awesome through this journey of mine. And all of my members have been so patient with me during these times!

What should our readers know about your business?
911 Fitness is a functional fitness class based gym! My background as a Olympian I also implement some Olympic lifting. This is something that’s usually very new to most of my clients and I love coaching it! I pride my self on a welcoming atmosphere! I have a special class for moms who can’t bring their kids to the gym. I have a play area and playground outside! The kids love it and it allows moms to come workout without having to find a baby sitter or wait till their significant others to get home from work and take from that time they get to spend as a family. We are a very affordable gym. I care so much more about you and your goals that I do taking money from people. However I do have bills and equipment to pay for so sadly free isn’t a option. I do promos and drawings all the time so there are opportunities out there.

I feel like we are still in the growing process. We have been open for a year! We have already won “Best of Parker County” in 2023 and “Best if Parker County” and “Best of Azle” in 2024. I feel like that speaks volumes on what we are doing and the atmosphere we have created at 911 Fitness. We are small but mighty. Competing agains gyms with 100+ members and we still manage to win these awards.

The biggest thing I personally have learned along the way is we aren’t JUST a Gym. We are a place for people to get away, to let loose, to reach goals, to make friends etc. I’m not JUST a trainer. I get to know these people personally and their families and life and things they may be going through and I wouldn’t change a thing! I love being there for people and hearing everyone news and being a part of it and someone they are comfortable talking to.

I have been trying to discover our brand. I have noticed lately that when I have new people come in there’s one thing I always say and that’s “In my gym, you CAN”. I have been told growing up that I’m not going to be successful at XYZ. I decided it was time to prove people wrong. I earned a full scholarship to Texas A&M for volleyball where I also was a thrower on the Track and field team. And eventually became a Olympic discus thrower and threw professionally for Nike after college. Winning many awards, breaking records and being inducted to the hall of fame. So I am a firm believer that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. That’s what I want people in my gym to believe, so I have made it to where even if you can’t do the movement as it’s meant to be done, there are ways to modify everything to work your way up to achieving the movement one day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a home town girlie through and through! I don’t leave the area often! If we were going to breakfast it would be a toss up between Howels in Springtown and Moes or Azle cafe in Azle. For lunch I would have to stick with my all time favorite El Paseo. And for dinner we would take it back to Springtown for Tuscany’s. With the kiddos I love going to the Fort Worth nature center or the Zoo. And without the kiddos, it doesn’t happen often but we enjoy Antebellum in Weatherford.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am SO grateful for the opportunity I was given! It was so sudden and I took it and ran with it! I have to shout out my older brother Cody Vaughan for trusting me and giving me the opportunity. He is a business owner and has been successful so he has been the one I have gone to most! I have also reached out to a few other gym owners in the surrounding areas that have been so amazing and gracious enough to give me advise and ask any questions! Remi at CrossFit Dubford in Peaster and Tori at CrossFit REV. We have different styles since I am not a CrossFit gym however running a class based gym is very similar and I wouldn’t be where I am without these people!

Website: https://911-fitness.gymdesk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/911fitness_/profilecard/?igsh=MTd5c3R0cHBzOGE5ZQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090915783120&mibextid=kFxxJD

Image Credits
Jenna Miller
And
Aubrey Knight Photo and Co.