Today we’d like to introduce you to Patty Durell
Hi Patty, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I wasn’t always into fitness. In fact, I grew up as “Fatty Patty.” I tried everything to lose weight, from joining WeightWatchers to working out non-stop while juggling three jobs. But no matter how hard I worked, I couldn’t shake those last stubborn pounds, and I didn’t have the time to spend countless hours in the gym.
While attending school to become a physical therapist assistant, I met Dave Durell, who introduced me to a completely different approach to strength training—one that was efficient, safe, and incredibly effective. I realized I had been doing it all wrong. For the first time, I saw real results without burning myself out. It completely transformed my life, and when something changes your life that profoundly, you want to share it with the world.
When I started in physical therapy, it was obvious that strength training would take care of most orthopedic problems, which led me to becoming a personal trainer to my patients to teach tehm how to strength train led me to work in the fitness industry, I would work out of other people’s gyms, but time and time again, I watched gyms go out of business. I knew there had to be a better, more sustainable way. So in 2011, with zero business experience, I took a leap of faith and opened Rock Solid Fitness in Dunedin. I had no idea what I was doing at first, but I was determined to learn, grow, and create something lasting.
Now, 14 years later, Rock Solid Fitness has helped thousands of people get stronger, healthier, and more confident through our High Intensity SAFE Strength Training. Our science-backed, 25-minute workouts allow busy people to get maximum results in minimal time—without the risk of injury or the need to spend hours in the gym.
But this isn’t just about fitness. Strength training is about empowerment. It’s about working smarter, not longer, and prioritizing safety and efficiency. It’s about helping people—whether they’re busy professionals, retirees, athletes, or those recovering from injuries—build strength for life.
Beyond the strength training studio, Dunedin has been my home since 1995, and giving back to this amazing community is a huge part of my mission. I love supporting local events, businesses, and people who are committed to health and wellness.
Rock Solid Fitness started as my personal journey to find strength, confidence, and a better way to train. Now, it’s about helping others do the same—so they can live longer, move better, and feel stronger for life.
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?
No meaningful journey is ever completely smooth, and building Rock Solid Fitness has been no exception. When we first started in 2011, the biggest challenge was educating people about the power of strength training—especially in a way that’s safe, efficient, and science-backed. Many people still believed that getting fit meant spending hours in the gym or doing high-impact workouts. Convincing them that just two 25-minute strength training sessions per week could profoundly transform their health required education, trust-building, and proving the results firsthand.
But some of the hardest challenges weren’t just about the business—they were personal. Four years into Rock Solid Fitness, I got really sick. I was so focused on building the business, taking care of everyone else, and pushing forward that I neglected my own health. It was a wake-up call. I had spent years helping people prioritize their strength and longevity, yet I wasn’t doing the same for myself. Around the same time, my marriage was also coming to an end. Everything that felt stable in my life was shifting, and for the first time, I had to truly rely on my own strength—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
That experience reshaped how I approach health, self-care, and leadership, and it’s why I now travel to speak at conferences, corporate events, and leadership retreats on the importance of strength training, resilience, and prioritizing health for high performance. I work with executives, business leaders, and organizations to help them understand that success isn’t just about drive and ambition—it’s about having the strength, energy, and longevity to sustain it. Strength training isn’t just about looking fit—it’s about building the resilience to handle whatever life throws at you.
Through all the ups and downs, one thing has never changed: Rock Solid Fitness profoundly changes lives every day through strength training. I’ve seen clients walk in feeling weak, frustrated, or stuck—and walk out feeling strong, confident, and in control of their health. That’s what keeps me going. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge has only reinforced why I started this journey in the first place: to help people build real, lasting strength for life.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I Love Most About Dunedin and Tampa Bay
Dunedin is truly a one-of-a-kind community, and I feel incredibly lucky to call it home. There’s something special about the small-town charm combined with a big sense of community—people genuinely care about each other here. Whether it’s local businesses supporting one another, neighbors looking out for each other, or the way the whole town comes together for events, Dunedin has an energy that makes you feel connected.
I also love that Dunedin, and the greater Tampa Bay area, values an active, healthy lifestyle. We have incredible outdoor spaces—the Pinellas Trail, Honeymoon Island, the Dunedin Causeway, and all the waterfront parks—that encourage people to move, stay active, and embrace a healthy way of life. Tampa Bay as a whole has grown into a major wellness hub, with more people than ever recognizing the importance of fitness, functional longevity, and overall well-being. It’s exciting to be a part of a community that understands that strength training isn’t just about looking fit—it’s about staying active, independent, and strong for life.
Another thing I love is the support for local businesses. Dunedin has a thriving small business community, and you can feel the passion behind every local shop, restaurant, and service. Tampa Bay, as a whole, is also an amazing place to be an entrepreneur—there’s a strong network of business owners who uplift each other, and people genuinely want to see local businesses succeed.
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What I’d Like to See Improve
As much as I love this area, I think one of the biggest challenges—especially in Dunedin—is growth and development. While it’s great to see more people discovering what makes this area so special, there’s always a fine line between growth and preserving the small-town charm that makes Dunedin unique. Finding that balance is important, especially when it comes to supporting locally owned businesses instead of large chains taking over.
Another challenge is the seasonal nature of our community. Dunedin and much of the Tampa Bay area are major destinations for snowbirds and part-time residents. While I love that people choose to spend their winters here, it creates challenges for businesses like mine that depend on consistency to help clients achieve lasting results. Strength training isn’t something you can do for a few months and expect long-term success—it’s a lifetime commitment. When people leave for half the year, it disrupts their progress and can make it harder to sustain the business year-round. I’d love to see more awareness about the importance of maintaining strength training, even when routines change, and how committing to year-round health can transform quality of life as people age.
Another challenge, particularly in Tampa Bay, is accessibility to high-quality health and fitness education. While we have a strong wellness community, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there about fitness, strength training, and longevity. Many people still think they need to spend hours in the gym or follow extreme programs to get results. I’d love to see more awareness around safe, effective strength training and how it can help people of all ages live longer, stronger, and healthier lives.
That being said, I wouldn’t trade this community for anything. Dunedin and Tampa Bay have been my home for decades, and I’m passionate about continuing to contribute to its growth, health, and vitality. At Rock Solid Fitness, we’re not just helping people get stronger—we’re helping to build a healthier, more empowered community, one person at a time.
Pricing:
- At Rock Solid Fitness, our prices are on the higher end of the industry—because we deliver expert-level coaching, science-backed training, and real, lasting results. We believe strength training isn’t just about fitness—it’s about building a stronger, healthier life. Unlike traditional gyms where you’re left to figure things out on your own, every session is guided by an intelligent, expert fitness coach who is not only highly trained but also constantly educating themselves and our members. This ensures your workouts are always safe, efficient, and designed for long-term strength and functional longevity. Our personal training programs are built on science-backed methods, focusing on maximizing results in minimal time. We tailor every workout to the individual, whether that means overcoming an injury, improving mobility, increasing strength, or simply feeling better in everyday life. Over the years, we’ve worked with thousands of people from all walks of life, and one thing remains true: when you train with purpose, guided by experts, you get results that last.
- 1-on-1 Membership – Every session is fully customized to the client’s needs, goals, and abilities, providing the highest level of personalized coaching. This approach ensures a safe, structured, and progressive training plan that evolves with each member over time.
- Hybrid Membership – A combination of 1-on-1 training and small group sessions designed to offer both individualized attention and a supportive training environment. This approach allows for a more flexible training experience while keeping costs lower than private coaching alone.
- Small Group Membership – A structured training program led by expert coaches in a small group setting. Workouts are designed to provide effective, science-backed strength training in a motivating atmosphere, offering a cost-conscious alternative to private coaching.
- We know that personal training is an investment, but it’s an investment in your health, strength, and future. Our approach isn’t about quick fixes or trends—it’s about helping people train smarter, stay strong for life, and move through every stage of life with confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rocksolidfitnessfl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocksolidfitnessfl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocksolidfitnessfl
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rock-solid-fitness-florida
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RockSolidClearwater
Image Credits
Anna Faiola
2024 Best of the Bay Winner – Best Videographer
https://www.afpshoots.com/
