Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Carroll.
Laurie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My love for fitness originated in my childhood, when I would attend group fitness classes with my mom, who taught aerobics. In my teens and early adulthood, like a lot of women, I struggled with body image and tried crash diets, pills and even starving myself. I came to a point where I was putting myself in danger, through trying to control every single thing I ate. My doctor told me I was borderline anorexic, and if I kept up my current behavior, I would end up in the hospital soon. I knew something had to change. My obsessive compulsive behavior was wreaking havoc on my health.
I slowly began to make changes as I educated myself on proper nutrition and fitness. It was during this time, that I was attending Southern Wesleyan University for my Bachelor’s in Business Administration, when I decided that my passion was in health and fitness. I would talk to family and friends and tell them that I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to become a personal trainer so that I could help others, who like me, wanted to change for the better. I don’t think many people took me seriously at that point, or believed that I could achieve this dream that God had placed on my heart.
Soon after, I started working as a personal trainer under some wonderful mentors. In the years that followed, I completed numerous personal training workshops, certifications, and attended events that helped to further my knowledge of the industry. The experience with clients at all different ages and fitness levels is what really helped me to become the best trainer possible, and continues to enhance my skills. I started teaching group fitness about a year after I got started. I obtained multiple Zumba Fitness certifications and was the first Zumba instructor in my hometown. I taught Zumba in various formats for over 10 years. I also taught cardio kickboxing, abs & glutes, Tabata, Pilates and various strength formats. I still teach a lot of these formats today!
This desire to help others be their best inside and out, drove me to further my education, becoming a certified Holistic Nutritionist. In 2015 I rebranded as Gunz & Bunz LLC. From 2015 to 2018, I trained for and placed in multiple body building competitions in the bikini division. The experience I gained from training and counting macronutrients was invaluable. In 2025, Gunz & Bunz was named to The Best of South Carolina honorable mention for health clubs and personal trainer studios. I feel extremely grateful and honored because there are thousands of fitness facilities in South Carolina. My love for fitness and nutrition has continued to deepen and it brings me joy to share this love with each and every one of my clients! My goal is to give them the tools and education they need to treat their body with the care it deserves, and my hope is that my passion for these things fuels them to share this knowledge with family and friends. I thank God for this opportunity to impact the health of those in my community and beyond!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh definitely not! From the time I set out to make my dreams of being a trainer a reality, I mentioned before not everyone supported this goal or believed in me. My parents always encouraged my brother and I, and told us we could do anything we set our minds too though, so I think that stuck with me.
I also learned through some tough experiences that being in a business partnership wasn’t for me. Those trials are what led me to rebrand and open Gunz and Bunz LLC. It was built on the premises of faith, fitness and family. I love that it’s a place where literally everyone feels comfortable and we’ve built a community that supports each other.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gunz & Bunz LLC?
Gunz & Bunz is a boutique fitness studio offering personal training, small group training, group fitness classes, holistic nutrition coaching, and online training and nutrition, including the 6 Week Challenge Program I developed. We work with women, men and children.
I specialize in helping my clients make better, low to no toxin choices in every area of their lives, not just fitness and nutrition. I constantly research and test out supplements, natural remedies, beauty products, organic/natural material clothing, home goods, oral health products, pet products and more. I teach my clients that all of these things make a difference in their health. I even dedicated a page on my website to my favorite finds so clients can easily find my recommendations and share with their family and friends.
I love that people always ask me about the studio’s name. I just laugh hearing my older clients tell the stories about when they tell their friends they are working out at Gunz & Bunz. They always get questions and funny reactions! No, we don’t sell guns and baked goods!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
You don’t have to be local to Gunz & Bunz! You can participate in the 6 Week Challenge, have me create a personalized plan just for you, train with me through Zoom, Facetime or the studio App and even do nutrition coaching that way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gunzandbunzllc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriec55fit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gunzandbunzfit/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gunz-and-bunz-seneca
- Other: https://linktr.ee/gunzandbunzllc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=5f367f4f-95fc-4906-8ecb-602eb2b661c9
