We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tracie Thompson. Check out our conversation below.
Tracie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A “normal” day for me? Let’s just say I haven’t had one since opening 4Fitness — and I’m perfectly fine with that.
My mornings kick off at 5 AM with a strong dose of caffeine and a quick pep talk to get my head in the game. The moment I walk into the studio, it’s go time. I’m coaching one-on-one, watching clients surprise themselves with what their bodies can do — those “holy wow, I did it!” moments are my fuel. I’m also leading classes that help people strengthen their bodies and start their day with squats, pushups, and feeling accomplished.
In between workouts, I swap my trainer hat for about a dozen others — marketer, bookkeeper, executive assistant (to myself), and professional chaos coordinator. By midday, I carve out time for myself: I head home, have a proper meal, recharge a little, and gear up for round two.
Evenings are usually packed with classes. Some nights I’m flying in Fly Bungee, laughing with clients as we bounce, lunge, and prove fitness can be just as fun as it is effective. Other nights, I slow things down with Aerial Yin Yoga, helping people release the stress from their bodies and their day.
By the time I lock up, I’m a mix of sweaty, happy, and just the right amount of exhausted — the good kind. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tracie Thompson, the owner and head coach at 4Fitness — a boutique fitness studio in St. Petersburg where we believe workouts should be fun, joint-friendly, and completely free of judgment. I’ve built a space where people of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels can feel comfortable moving their bodies, trying new things, and surprising themselves with what they’re capable of.
We’re known for offering experiences you won’t find in your average gym — like Fly Bungee, Flying Pilates, Surfset, TRX, Aerial Yoga, and our newest addition, Halotherapy (a.k.a. salt therapy) for relaxation and recovery. Every class is designed to be challenging without being punishing, playful without sacrificing results.
What makes 4Fitness unique isn’t just the equipment or the classes — it’s the vibe. We laugh a lot. We celebrate small wins just as much as big ones. We create a community where showing up for yourself is the real success. My goal has always been to help people train for life’s challenges, whether that’s carrying groceries without pain, chasing after grandkids, or conquering a bucket-list adventure.
Right now, I’m focused on continuing to expand our offerings and deepen our wellness side, so our clients can care for their bodies in every way — not just through exercise, but through recovery, mobility, and self-care. After surviving a hurricane, moving to a new (and bigger) location, and rebuilding, I can say with confidence: we’re stronger than ever, and the best is yet to come.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world started handing me labels and expectations, I was a curious, creative, and fiercely independent kid who loved figuring things out my own way. I didn’t worry about whether I “fit in” or whether I was doing things the “right” way — I just followed what felt right. I was confident without overthinking it, unafraid to try new things, and quick to laugh at myself when they didn’t go perfectly.
Somewhere along the way, life tries to mold you into something neater, smaller, or more predictable. But the core of who I am — that mix of adventure, grit, and independence — never really went away. I am bold, curious, and unapologetically myself. That fearless spark never left me — it’s the heartbeat of 4Fitness, where I help others reconnect with their confidence and independence.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the day I realized it wasn’t weakness — it was proof I’d survived. For years, I thought strength meant pushing through quietly, keeping the hard parts tucked away where no one could see them. But life has a way of stripping you down to your truth.
When Hurricane Helene flooded my studio, it could have been the end of everything I’d built. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and honestly heartbroken. But instead of letting that break me, I let people see it — the fear, the frustration, the fight. I shared the process of rebuilding, the moments of doubt, and the small victories along the way. I also faced one of my biggest lifelong struggles: asking for help. I reached out to my 4Fitness community, and they responded in significant ways. Accepting that support — and doing so with gratitude — became one of my greatest growth moments.
That experience changed me as a person and as a business owner. It taught me that we all need a hand from time to time — and that sometimes we’re the one reaching out, and sometimes we’re the one lifting someone else up. Both roles are equally powerful.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — but the public version of me is like me with the volume turned up. The energy, the humor, the encouragement you see in the studio or online is real; it’s just the most vibrant slice of who I am. I genuinely love connecting with people, making them laugh, and showing them that fitness can be a safe, judgment-free zone.
That said, there’s also a quieter side of me that most people don’t see — the part that needs solitude to recharge, the part that feels deeply when clients share their struggles, the part that still has moments of doubt. I think showing only the “hype” side all the time would feel inauthentic, so I try to share pieces of both.
What you see in the studio is me in my element — confident, passionate, and driven. What you might not see is the behind-the-scenes effort to keep that energy flowing, to keep building a space where others feel empowered. Both are real. They just live in different parts of my day.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think my customers would miss the way I make fitness feel — fun, approachable, and free from judgment. They’d miss walking into the studio and being greeted like family, not just a name on the class roster.
Sure, they might miss the unique classes — the flying, bouncing, stretching, and sweating — but more than that, they’d miss the energy. The laughs when something doesn’t go as planned, the praise after a tough workout, and the way we celebrate every small win.
I’ve always believed people come for the workout but stay for the connection. If I wasn’t here, the equipment would still work, the walls would still stand, but that personal spark — the mix of encouragement, humor, and genuine care — would be harder to replace. That’s what makes 4Fitness more than just a place to work out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iam4fitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4fitnessstpete
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iam4fitness
