Former Corporate Employee Opens Fairfax Fit Body Boot Camp In Fairfax City

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — A decade ago, Sarah Crissup likely wouldn't have imagined leaving the corporate world to open a fitness business of her own.

But after years as a Fit Body Boot Camp member, coach and mentor to others, Crissup said she decided she wanted to spend what she calls her "10 good years left" building something for herself instead of another company.

"I've said several times over the last few years that I have about 10 good years left in me to hustle," Crissup said, during the gym's ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. "So if I'm going to hustle, I want to hustle for myself and not for some corporate company."

That decision led to the opening of Fairfax Fit Body Boot Camp, a new fitness studio in Fairfax City that specializes in 30-minute, coach-led workouts designed to help members lose weight, build strength and develop long-term healthy habits.

According to the studio's website, its signature Afterburn workouts combine high-intensity interval training with active rest training to maximize calorie burn while improving strength, endurance and overall fitness. Certified personal trainers provide coaching and accountability throughout each session.

A Career Change Fueled By Purpose

Crissup told those attending Friday's ceremony that opening the gym has become one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

"The reality is, as I stand here today, opening this gym has been the most fulfilling thing that I've ever done, outside of being a mother and a wife," she said. "I've had the opportunity to serve others in a way that brings them both strength and humility. I get the chance to empower people and help them grow and just be in a safe place."

She thanked past and current members, mentors and former coaches who encouraged her to become certified and eventually open her own location.

Crissup also credited her husband, Richard, with making the career transition possible.

"He's not just my financial backer; he is also my emotional support system, and the logical sounding board," she said.

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Mayor Catherine Read welcomed the business to Fairfax City, saying the community places a strong emphasis on health and wellness.

"This is a community that cares about wellness," Read said. "We are not focused on what happens when you get sick. We are focused on what do you do every single day to keep yourself healthy and well."

Read said every fitness program appeals to different people and described accountability as a key part of Fit Body Boot Camp's approach.

"We're very appreciative of the fact that you chose Fairfax City," she said. "We hope to be a great partner in your future success."

Jennifer Rose, executive director of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, said the business complements the city's focus on employee wellness.

"We know that healthy employees are productive employees," Rose said.

Crissup also praised Fairfax City's permitting and licensing process, saying it helped simplify what can often be a difficult experience for first-time business owners.

"Opening a business is a very, very daunting project," she said. "The city of Fairfax removed much of that pain. It was very easy to be able to go in and access those files and know where we were in the process."

She added that the experience made working with the city "almost like working with a small business," thanking city staff for helping remove barriers to opening the new gym.

Fairfax Fit Body Boot Camp is located at 10834 Fairfax Blvd. in the Point 50 Shopping Center.