We had the good fortune of connecting with April Frierson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I try and for excellence in everything I do. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. I also try and practice what I preach. I own a CrossFit gym and because I promote health, wellness, and consistency…I try and lead from the front and implement those things in my own life as well.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner of a CrossFit Affiliate, CrossFit Brock. My husband (at the time) and I opened a small backyard gym in the summer of 2018. It was about 1,800 sq ft and it was a side gig at best. I worked part-time as one of the coaches, did the back-end computer stuff, and dabbled in the social media aspect. In 2020, my world changed drastically, and my husband and I got a divorce. I fought hard to keep the gym as I had been a stay-at-home mom to my five kids prior. I had not had a real job in 13 years. I purchased the gym from my ex-husband and started the process of rebranding and turning it into a profitable business. I grew the gym to 75 members, and implemented a few new things to help generate more income, but knew I had maxed out the space. I looked at adding on to the current building, and revamping the area to best accommodate growth but never could quite figure out an ideal solution. My boyfriend at the time encouraged me to think bigger and more outside the box. We started looking for places to move the gym to and hopefully expand the space and membership count. After several failed deals, we finally found a place in the spring of 2023. I sold my house and gym, we purchased 15 acres together, and started on the construction of a 7,000 sq ft gym! We remodeled the house on the back of the property, moved his stuff, moved my stuff AND the gym all in the summer of 2023. Construction was not quite complete on the new gym so we all worked out outside on the porch, under a metal roof, during the middle of the brutal Texas summer. We slowly moved inside the building as parts of the gym were completed. Much to my surprise, I got 19 new members during that construction phase. I am currently at 116 members and counting! Nothing went as planned or along the timeline I had laid out, but I learned and will continue to learn that things just have a way of working themselves out. If it is meant to be, then it will find its way to you. Taking advantage of opportunities that have come my way has been the biggest game changer. I have a loose plan in the back of my mind of what I want to accomplish, but I am also open to opportunities as they evolve. Keeping an open mind has been my biggest source of success!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh gosh. I do not go out much so I probably wouldn’t be a very good tour guide. The town I live in is fairly small. We live in the Cutting Horse Capital of the world, haha, so everyone out here seems to have horses and do a lot with horses. When we do go out, we usually hop over to Fort Worth to meet up with friends for dinner. I stay close to the house and gym and do a lot with and for my five kids.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hands down, the people that make up the community of CrossFit Brock! They have each been there for me through thick and thin, They are the most supportive, loving, and encouraging people on the planet!

My kids have been so very understanding over the last couple of years. I often work early (and late). I have had to miss several of their events and call friends to help with their school pickup. My kids have given me grace upon grace and when I need to work long hours. They are THE driving force behind why I do what I do.

My husband! He is most definitely my rock. He has encouraged me to just “go for it” countless times. He never complains when my work comes first, he has jumped in with both feet and helped me move, build, clean, and change anything that needs to be done. He is the ultimate dreamer and has taught me that if it is meant to be then it will. Life is WAY more fun having someone by my side who is willing to dream BIG with me.

Website: www.crossfitbrock.com

Instagram: crossfitbrock

Facebook: crossfit brock

Image Credits
next ridge media

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