Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Beaver.
Hi Sam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started The Well Health & Fitness while I was still in college at Bowling Green State University, studying Exercise Science. I didn’t have a business plan, investors, or even a clear roadmap — just a passion for helping people move better and feel better.
Our first year was simple: parking lot workouts with minimal equipment, training in the wind and rain between college classes. It wasn’t ideal, but it was real. People showed up anyway — not for the perfect setup, but for the energy, accountability, and community that started to form right there on the pavement.
That summer, we moved into a storage unit. We’d roll the door up, drag the equipment out, and train on concrete floors. When winter hit, I went door to door asking businesses if they had space to sublet. That’s how we ended up in a small rented garage with a single porta potty out back. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave us consistency. Those early days taught me that there’s never a perfect time or perfect space — progress comes from starting where you are.
Year two was our first big leap. We moved into the Woodland Mall, and for the first time, it felt like this could really become something. I was coaching every class, from 7 AM to 7 PM, and every dollar went right back into the gym. Most of our equipment came from Facebook Marketplace — chipped dumbbells, old rowers, and makeshift rigs. The roof leaked when it rained. But none of that mattered. People kept showing up. They came for the sense of belonging that was growing stronger by the day.
As the years went on, we built systems, structure, and a coaching team that shared the same passion for helping people. Today, The Well runs because of the people who lead it.
Alicia — a hardworking mom of three who brings contagious energy to every class. She lifts others up and leads by example, reminding everyone what balance and dedication look like.
Diana — a powerhouse of kindness and proof that age is just a number. She’s a model of longevity and strength, inspiring every generation in the gym.
Gabe — caring, compassionate, and intentional. He listens deeply, coaches the person in front of him, and helps people uncover what really drives them.
Kat — steadfast and value-driven. She challenges members to dig deeper, but always with grace and purpose.
Reilly — high-energy and full of heart. She brings laughter, music, and a genuine spark that makes every session better.
They’re the heartbeat of The Well. They’ve helped shape it into what it is — a place where anyone can walk in, feel supported, and leave a little stronger in every sense of the word.
We’ve also built a team of Bench Coaches — members who step in when needed to keep us consistent and reliable. They remind me that this place has never been about one person. It’s about us.
Fast forward to today, and The Well Health & Fitness is Bowling Green’s oldest locally owned, independent gym that isn’t a franchise or city-run facility. From parking-lot workouts to a 4,000-square-foot home, our story has been built on one thing: helping people train for life.
There have been hard days — times I’ve questioned if I should keep going. But every time I imagine walking away, I picture myself right back where I started: helping people move, coaching friends after hours, and rebuilding a community. That realization reminds me exactly why I started.
Because The Well was never about chasing success — it’s about building something that changes lives. One coach, one member, one imperfect step at a time.
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?
Bootstrapping a business from the ground up with no money has never been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been realizing that the gym’s success will always be limited by my own growth — my knowledge of health, fitness, business, and leadership, as well as my confidence as a coach and owner.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, but each one has pushed me to learn more and grow faster. A big part of that growth has come from learning to surround myself with the right people. Finding the right coaches and putting them in the right positions has been crucial. I’m extremely proud of the team we have in place today — they’re the heartbeat of The Well, and none of this works without them.
Every challenge has reinforced that the more I grow as a person, and the more our team grows together, the stronger our community becomes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At The Well Health & Fitness, we specialize in helping everyday people train for life — not just for workouts. Our focus is on building strength, confidence, and consistency that carries over outside the gym.
We combine data-driven tools like the Level Method and InBody scans with personalized coaching and accountability systems to make progress measurable and meaningful. But more than that, we focus on creating an environment where people actually enjoy showing up — where fitness feels approachable, not intimidating.
What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built and the team that makes it happen. Our coaches are the heartbeat of The Well — people who care deeply, lead by example, and pour into our members every single day. Watching them grow as leaders while helping others change their lives is the best part of what I do.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just train bodies — we train people. We meet you where you are, and we help you move forward one step at a time.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and as a kid, I was pretty shy and anxious. I had an amazing, supportive family, but I struggled a lot with confidence. I played all sorts of sports growing up, but I was usually somewhere in the middle — never the most talented, just the one who worked hard and kept showing up.
Everything changed in high school when I found fitness. Training gave me a sense of control, confidence, and purpose that I hadn’t felt before. It helped me grow not just physically, but academically and socially too. I started writing workouts and nutrition plans for my friends, and that’s really what set the foundation for the work I do today — helping others find that same sense of confidence and self-belief through movement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thewellbg.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sambeaverfitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sam.beaver.16
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0N6Ny1YKyDcDwZq0JMTSEf?si=fb6bbd8ab53e4697
