Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Merritt.
Hi Marie , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my career in fitness working for another training company, but I quickly realized I couldn’t stay in an environment that didn’t align with my values. I felt a pull toward something bigger—something with purpose. In 2005, I founded Momentum Fit with a clear mission: to help people access better health and fitness through movement, consistency, and compassion. I didn’t have a business background, but I believed in the power of training as a tool for transformation, not just physically, but in every area of life.
I poured everything into growing Momentum. In those early years, I coached clients one-on-one, doing it in the best way I knew how—through personalized training and building trust. I taught people that fitness is only one part of the equation. When you combine intentional movement with better nutrition, quality sleep, stress management, and a strong mindset, you create what I call deep health. And deep health is preventative medicine. It gives people the strength and energy to live fully.
When the housing market crashed in 2008, I made a pivot. I shifted from primarily doing personal training to also offering small group training. That change was challenging, but it created more opportunities to reach people, and I kept pushing forward. I’ve always been relentless in the pursuit of growth. I don’t give up easily. Over the years, the business grew, and so did I. I built a team, onboarded coaches, and we weathered major storms together—including the shutdowns during the COVID pandemic.
In 2021, I suffered an injury that forced me off the training floor. I had to let go of the identity I’d built for so long and step into a new role—not as a coach in the gym, but as a leader guiding others. That shift wasn’t easy. I had three surgeries over a two-year period, and every step of recovery demanded patience, resilience, and the same consistency I ask of my clients. I showed up, nourished myself, did the work, and leaned into the challenge. I wanted to model for my team what perseverance really looks like.
That injury gave me perspective. It helped me see the deeper mission behind everything I’d built. In 2023, I earned my National Board Certification in Health and Wellness Coaching and launched Marie Merritt Coaching to serve women on an even more personal and impactful level.
Marie Merritt Coaching was born out of a calling to go beyond the gym. Through private coaching, I now work with high-achieving women who are ready to create real, sustainable change in their lives. I help them gain clarity, reclaim their energy, and build confidence through consistent, practical strategies that work in real life. I also speak to teams, groups, and organizations—especially those serving women in leadership or in transition—about what it takes to build strength, manage burnout, and lead with integrity. Whether I’m coaching one-on-one or speaking on stage, my goal is the same: to empower women to take ownership of their health so they can show up fully in every area of life.
Today, I’m proud to say that Momentum Fit is still going strong. With an incredible team in place, we continue to help our community move better, feel stronger, and live active, fulfilling lives. I am equally excited for what’s ahead with Marie Merritt Coaching. These two paths—training and coaching—are both rooted in the same belief: that strong women build strong communities. And I am here to help lead that movement, one step at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not. But I’ve come to understand that the hard seasons are often the ones that shape you most.
In the early years of Momentum Fit, I had to figure everything out on my own—how to manage a business, build a team, and support clients, all while training full-time. When the housing market crashed in 2008, I had to make a quick pivot to keep the business going. That’s when I introduced small group training, which helped us grow and reach more people in a new way.
However, one of the biggest challenges arose during the COVID pandemic. For the first time in my life, I received an official letter from the state saying I had to shut down my business. I remember walking into my empty gym, sitting on the floor, and wondering when or if we’d be able to open again. But I couldn’t just wait it out. I had to keep Momentum alive. I worked every single day, including Sundays, training clients in driveways, garages, and parks—anywhere I could. I didn’t just do it to pay the bills. I did it because people needed support more than ever, and I wasn’t going to let them down.
In 2021, I faced another major setback when I was sidelined by an injury. Three surgeries in two years forced me to step out of my physical role and take on a more leadership-focused role. It was hard letting go of the identity I’d built, but it also gave me space to grow into the next version of myself.
The road has never been smooth. But every struggle—whether financial, physical, or emotional—has made me a stronger business owner, a more compassionate coach, and a more resilient leader. I’ve never stopped showing up. And that’s what I try to instill in every person I work with: consistency, commitment, and the courage to keep going, no matter what life throws at you.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
That’s a great question! So, in a nutshell, I help high-achieving women reclaim their health, energy, and confidence. I’ve been a personal trainer for over 20 years now, and I’m also a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, so I bring a pretty comprehensive perspective to the table.
What I’ve really come to specialize in is working with women, especially those navigating the transitions of peri- and post-menopause. These are often incredibly driven, capable women who are used to taking care of everyone else, and somewhere along the way, they’ve put their own well-being on the back burner. I help them shift that focus back to themselves in a sustainable way.
You could say I’m known for a couple of things. First, through Momentum Fit, the training studio I founded back in 2005, we’re focused on how people move. It’s all about movement quality, smart strength training, and preventing injuries. I’ve built a fantastic team of coaches who share that same philosophy – helping clients move better so they feel stronger, have less pain, and can confidently live active lives.
Then, through Marie Merritt Coaching, I work one-on-one with people on the deeper stuff – the behavior changes that go beyond just exercise and nutrition. We look at the whole picture: stress, sleep, mindset, boundaries, and their overall lifestyle. I also enjoy speaking to groups and organizations about mastering the fundamentals of wellness and building practical, lasting habits, not just chasing those quick fixes that never seem to stick.
What am I most proud of? The long-term impact my work has. It’s not about a six-week transformation; it’s about helping people build a foundation for lasting health. Seeing someone finally feel strong and confident in their body, or develop habits that truly support their well-being for years to come – that’s incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart, I think, is the way I blend the physical side of training with the emotional intelligence and strategic thinking of coaching. It’s not just about telling someone what exercises to do or what to eat. My background as both a certified trainer and a health and wellness coach allows me to address the full spectrum of health, movement, mindset, behavior change, recovery, and resilience.
I don’t believe in cookie-cutter plans or crash programs. I meet people where they are, help them build systems that actually work in their real lives, and walk alongside them through the tougher parts. I’ve been through some tough seasons myself, both physically and emotionally, and as a business owner, so I bring that real-world experience and empathy to every interaction. Whether I’m coaching, training, or speaking, my ultimate goal is to create clarity, build people’s confidence, and help them take meaningful action. I truly believe that health isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency, intention, and being willing to show up for yourself day after day.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
That’s a great question! From my perspective, finding a mentor and networking effectively is all about being intentional and building a supportive and challenging community around you.
When it comes to finding a mentor, I truly believe it starts with taking a good look inward. You need to understand your own goals, your core values, and the specific areas where you’re seeking guidance. Once you have that clarity, you can start identifying individuals whose work inspires you and whose values align with your own. I’m a firm believer in being humble and recognizing that you’re likely not the first person to try and achieve your goals, so seeking out those who have already walked a similar path and then adapting their strategies to fit your unique style is a smart move.
For networking, I’m a huge advocate. That personal connection is so necessary, especially because being an entrepreneur can sometimes feel isolating and lonely. It’s not just about collecting business cards; it’s about building genuine relationships based on mutual respect and looking for ways you can offer value as well. Look for networking groups of other business owners. Look for groups of people in and out of your industry. Shake all the hands and nurture connections. This is so far overlooked in today’s businesses, and I think it remains one of the most important. In a world where you can send an email, go to lunch.
And I can’t stress enough the importance of surrounding yourself with people who elevate you and aren’t afraid to give you honest feedback. Complacency can creep in easily, so having those voices who will challenge your ideas or help hold you accountable is invaluable. Even as a coach myself, I recognize the need for that external perspective, which is why I have my own team members at Momentum train me – it provides a different lens and keeps me sharp. Being part of a business coaching mastermind has been incredibly beneficial for me. I might think all my ideas are gold, but putting them out to that group for honest feedback and constructive criticism has been essential for refining them.
So, my advice boils down to this: know yourself well, seek out mentors and connections who inspire you and align with your values, be humble and learn from those who have gone before, prioritize building genuine relationships, and actively surround yourself with people who will elevate you and provide honest feedback. It’s about creating a network that supports your growth and helps you continuously refine your systems and your path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mariemerrittcoaching.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariemerrittcoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariemerrittcoaching
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariemerrittcoaching
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/getmomentumfit
- Other: https://www.getmomentumfit.com
