enlarge
Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff PhotographerTRACY MOORE
WHAT: Owner/general manager Bay Club Health & Fitness
WHERE: One City Center Portland
PHONE: 772-5444
E-MAIL: tracy@bayclubfitness.com
AGE: 49
ABOUT SHOPTALK
SHOPTALK ALLOWS people to describe in their own words the rewards and challenges of their jobs. In doing so, they reflect the energy, imagination and hard work that characterize the workplace in Maine.
THE QUESTIONS for Shoptalk are compiled by Staff Writer John Rolfe.
DO YOU know of someone who would make an interesting candidate for Shoptalk? Send your suggestion to jrolfe@pressherald.com.
Q. What have you done before this?
A. I worked at what was then Tennis of Maine, from '89 to '94.
Then I worked for L.L. Bean, and went to Japan a couple of times to help set up stores. I started working at the front desk at Bay Club, Friday nights and Saturday mornings, back in 2000, like April. So I've been here half as long as the club has been – the 20th anniversary of our opening will be Aug. 4.
And then I became general manager in February 2001, and then bought it in July of '06, with a partner, and in spring of '08 I became sole owner.
Q. And before that?
A. I was in the Navy, actually, for six years. My last job was working with James Webb's personal secretary, just helping with all the social aspects of his gig.
Q. Are you from Maine?
A. From Maryland. I came to Maine because my ex-husband, who's from Bingham, and I wanted to raise our son in Maine.
Q. So, do you have a fitness background?
A. I played tennis and racquetball, and ran, but no, I wasn't an "athlete." In the Navy I was the master chief of the drill team, and actually led thousands of personnel onto the field. ... So I was always just kind of physical, but had no formal training. I am actually working toward my National Academy of Sports Medicine certification, which all the trainers at the club have.
Q. That Navy background must come in handy. The drill sergeant voice.
A. I wish I could belt it, but I don't have that kind of voice! I am also a vocalist, a singer, with a seven-piece band called 'Round Midnight, and in a jazz trio. I sang with the Tony Boffa band a few years ago.
Q. So, for leading classes –
A. I take a lot of them, but teaching and so on, I leave that to the experts. What I do is fitness management and customer service, on which I thrive and so on, rather than actual training, although leadership is certainly involved. ...
I manage everything; I don't have an HR. I do all my books, so that's 25 hours a week. I could be picking up supplies for the smoothie bar, doing the supplies ordering, supervising housekeeping. ... I do all the customer relations. If anybody complains about anything, it's in my office.
Q. Sounds like a good way to keep fit.
A. Just recently I started my own Athletes Training System routine. For the last year and a half I'd been so involved in the business, I gained 10 pounds or so and I thought, well, hmm, I need to do this. So I started getting serious, with a five- to six-day workout routine.
Q. How's that 10 pounds doing?
A. Gone! I've lost 4 percent body fat in six weeks – there's a nutritional plan as well as a variety of exercises, including running and Latin dance.
Q. The stereotypical "gym" owner is a guy. ... Do you know of other women owners?
A. Well, let's see. I am the only woman fitness club owner I know, but there are so many women who are professionals in the health and fitness field, with their own businesses.
Q. How many people do you employ?
A. About 20. ... It breaks down about evenly, male and female. Some trainers have been here longer than I have! Our housekeeper, Mila Yarovaya, has been here for 17 years. The longevity is unusual for fitness clubs, but we value people's experience, which is why we've given them better cuts than the standard 50-50, and also pay 60 percent of medical for people who work 25 hours or more.
Q....
Reader comments
Click here to view or add comments on this story
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form