SPENGA Vero Beach - Part 1: From Christi's Fitness to Spenga in Vero Beach

Message Brian & ShawnaA lot of business success stories skip the messy parts. We didn’t. Sitting inside SPENGA in Vero Beach, we talk with owner Christi Wade and general manager Brad Bacon about what it really takes to build a fitness business that lasts when money is tight, decisions are heavy, and life throws the kind of curveballs you never planned for.Christi takes us back to Miami, to a childhood shaped by swimming and gymnastics, and to a career built on exercise science, training, and club operations. That foundation eventually turned into Christie’s Fitness, launched in 1997 after industry shifts pushed her family to rethink the future. We dig into the reality of being undercapitalized, the pressure that comes with expansion, and the mindset that kept them moving forward when quitting would have been easier. If you care about entrepreneurship, small business leadership, and the behind-the-scenes of gym ownership, you’ll hear a lot that rings true.Then we get to Spenga. After selling Christi’s Fitness in 2018, Christi didn’t expect to jump back into ownership, but one visit to the Spenga concept changed everything. We talk about why the studio model felt efficient and modern, what it took to bring it to the Treasure Coast, and why community still matters as much as programming. We also share a more personal side of the story, including faith through hardship and the legacy behind the book Together.If you like what you hear, subscribe, share this with a friend in Vero Beach, and leave us a review so more locals can find your favorite local podcast.Presented by Killer Bee MarketingHelping local businesses in Vero Beach connect with their neighbors. Support the showSupport The ShowKeep It Local. Keep It GoingBe sure to connect with us on Instagram at @myverobeachdotcom