A Fresh Start

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Townplace Fitness has had a special place in my heart since 2016 when I first signed up to be a member of Gold’s Gym Pittsburgh. I had just started training at the end of 2015 and moving Downtown and going to a big-name gym like that was so exciting for me. So you can imagine a few years down the road when I found out that Gold’s had been purchased by new owners and would no longer be a Gold’s Gym, I was actually pretty sad. Of all the changes in my life from 2016 to the present, my home gym had always been a solid, steady factor that I never had to worry about changing. I was worried that I wouldn’t even like the new gym. As I mentioned in my biography, I had worked at Gold’s for a few months back in 2017, but did not have the time to commit to the position with it being long hours and my priority being school. After leaving my position there, I was still an avid member. Tyler had spoken to me one day about needing help marketing this new gym to the community and getting its name out in Downtown Pittsburgh, and I really loved the idea of helping! When he offered me the internship I immediately jumped on it. When I had dabbled in marketing in past years, I was too shy to make much of an impact. Now, years later, and being able to work with a new team, I found that I’m actually very good at it! I also hadn’t had much practice with a camera or editing pictures, but I had the opportunity to work with people who did. Marketing through social media came easily to me since I essentially grew up with it, but learning to confidently market this gym with companies and new members face-to-face was a skill I needed to work on. I can say now that I have come a long way since I first walked into that gym, and knowing that I was able to make an impact as they go through these changes makes me incredibly happy! I truly cannot wait to see what it will look like when the remodel is complete.

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Published by maryfurka

I am currently an SAEM major in my Senior year at Point Park University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania! I grew up right outside of Pittsburgh in a small town called Hopewell with my mother and father, little sister, and (as of 2015 - when she was rescued) my little Calico cat, Roxy. In 2016 I graduated from the Community College of Beaver County with my Associates in Communications. At the time, I truly had no idea what field I wanted to continue my education in. A few months prior to applying to Point Park, I had begun working out and eating healthy after 20 years of being a professional couch potato. So I began tossing around the idea of studying Exercise Science. I wasn't sure how my newfound passion for this lifestyle would develop in coming years so I decided against it, opting to look for a field of study that was slightly more broad. I knew I wanted to continue learning more about this industry, however, so I wanted to make sure whatever major I chose would teach me more about it. Spring 2016, I came across Point Park's Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management program and I knew immediately I would love it. I have always wanted to learn how to be an entrepreneur and own my own business one day, but also how to apply that business knowledge to the world of sports (health and wellness, in my case). I began my journey at PPU in the Fall of 2016. At 21, I packed my things and moved to Pittsburgh, signing my first lease and diving head-first into learning to pay bills and manage time without the help of my parents. Growing up in an Italian Catholic household, and being the oldest daughter, my parents were there to help me with everything I had ever done. My father is a mechanic and my mother was always a stay-at-home mom. That means I had my meals ready for me every day when I woke up or got home from school, my bills were paid, and my time was managed for me. When I moved out, I had to learn how to take the roll of both my mother and my father; paying my own bills and managing my own time. They were always there for support and help when I needed them, but developing my own identity and my own life after living in a small and sheltered town was a challenge. So my time at Point Park has been more drawn-out than I had anticipated. I began struggling with my health at 21, but put off the surgery I needed until December of 2017 (when it began affecting my schoolwork). I put my education on the back-burner for a few months while I recovered. A few months later, I was forced to move home after the lease I had signed fell through, and when I did not have a way of getting to Pittsburgh for my classes, I had to essentially give up my semester. For about a year, I struggled with believing that I would ever get my degree. Then I decided to once again go out on a limb and move back to the city, get a new job, and start from scratch. After training at Gold's Gym Pittsburgh for 3 years, I was approached by management about an internship opportunity. They knew I studied SAEM and had a passion for the health and fitness industry, and told me about their name change (to Townplace Fitness) and the complete re-branding of their facility. I was offered the chance to help them with social media, marketing, and event planning; while learning how the gym operates daily. I quickly jumped on the opportunity, knowing that this was truly my passion. After a tough year of not knowing if I would ever be able to support myself, finish school, and work full time again, I have finally managed to figure it out! I currently work as an online coach, helping guide other young women on their own journeys in health and fitness, I am a full-time waitress at Bar Louie on the North Shore (where I have been lucky enough to make so many good friends), and I spend all of my spare time at Townplace Fitness, now not only as a loyal member, but an intern. My experience at Point Park has truly been remarkable. The support I received from my my professors and my peers when I was at my lowest was what I needed to get back on my feet and continue to pursue my dreams. This blog will follow my experience at Townplace Fitness while I learn how to re-brand and build a new facility and help them market themselves to Pittsburgh residents, businesses, and students just like me! Welcome to my blog :) -Mary

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