Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Standifer.
Hi Nina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Moving across the country to a small town in South Carolina in the year of 2020 meant new beginnings. With fresh ideas and a basket of hope, my husband and I decided to collaborate our entrepreneurial efforts and bring CrossFit to this tiny town we now call home.
Uncertain on how I would successfully market and reach out to the community about this new gym, I knew I needed to be right on Main Street. The only building we found suitable for our needs had a giant sign out front saying “future demolition project”.
We thought it must be condemned and unsuitable for a new business. One day we snuck in and took a look around and trusted my husband’s vision and expertise in construction.
We took this idea to the town council and presented our business plan.
After months of hard work, marketing, and mapping out the venture, we were ready to launch our first class in May 2021.
We had a great response in our business exploded in the first three months.
It was evident that people were craving a community to support them and a team of coaches that would challenge them and keep them safe through their fitness journey.
With the top notch coaching staff, we brought the magic of CrossFit into action every day.
The methodology is simple; constantly varied, high intensity, with functional movements. It’s what everybody needs, and anybody can CrossFit. It is why every class has elite athletes, beginners, the old and the young. We all come together as a team each day and get the workout done at our own level and intensity.
We say “come as you are and leave a champion”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, the deal we made when we opened our business was that my husband was not going to work and he was just help with maintaining the gym and the family. With three kids and a priority in raising the next generation well, the challenge of running a business is evident. Finding balance as a mom, a business owner, and a competitive athlete was in itself a challenge. When you don’t have a Plan B, financially, you hustle hard and make it work. The learning curve of wearing all the hats in a business felt like throwing darts into an abyss but slowly I became more proficient in the uncertainties.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been in the fitness industry for three decades, working in every arena from physical therapy to training athletes. One of my biggest accomplishments was completing the strength and conditioning course from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. As well as becoming a lifetime certified Personal Trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. More than any of them, becoming a level one Crossfit Coach was the most exhilarating, especially knowing this was the frontier of my new career. I went onto accomplish the level two and then becoming certified as a Crossfit Trainer by passing the level three test.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My business plan was created and built from the expertise of my business coach Jason Fernandez piloting his new company Affiliate University. I was blessed and honored to be at his side and under his wing during the opening years of Crossfit epoch. I also am grateful for the coaches who started with me from day one. Steven and Stephanie Kennedy are my team superstars. Each of them having their L1 and L2 and USA weightlifting certifications. Stephanie also completed her certified CrossFit Trainer as well. Grateful for all my coaches who pour their passion into each each class and continuing their education.
Our motto on our team is “we never stop learning”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Crossfitepoch.com
- Instagram: @crossfitepoch
- Facebook: @crossfitepoch
