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16 Years Strong & Still Growing
As we celebrate Black History Month, I find myself reflecting on what it means to be a minority business owner in the fitness industry. For 16 years, Mean Green has helped people lose weight, build strength, and transform their lives the right way—not with quick fixes, but with sustainable fitness.
Over time, I’ve watched our community grow, with members who have been with us for over a decade without missing a month, and others who have gone on to do amazing things while still staying connected. But today, I want to share something deeper—five reasons why I am proud to be a Black fitness business owner and how that has shaped my journey.
1️⃣ I Wanted to Be Judged by My Talent, Not My Skin Color
From day one, I never wanted people to train with me because of my race—I wanted them to trust me because of my love, talent, and effort.
👉🏽 Love—the kind that makes someone feel seen, valued, and confident in their fitness journey. Love isn’t just about training people; it’s about empowering them to push beyond what they can’t see to create what they can see.
👉🏽 Talent—God gave me a gift for leading people, for coaching, and for making fitness more than just a workout—it’s a movement.
👉🏽 Effort—there has never been a day where effort was lacking in Mean Green. From our boot camps in the park to our brick-and-mortar gyms, our culture is welcoming. That’s what we do—not because of race, but because we believe in people.
If anyone ever judged me unfairly, that was their loss, not mine. I don’t waste energy on what I can’t control—I focus on the mission.
2️⃣ I Never Used My Race as an Excuse Not to Move Forward
Let’s be real. It’s 2025, and we all know people still get judged for their race, gender, or background. That’s a fact. But I refuse to let that define my success.
My parents gave me a perspective that changed my life—if someone doesn’t give me an opportunity because of my race, that’s their loss, not mine.
The truth? I’ve been denied opportunities. Many times. And yes, that frustration is real. But every "no" I’ve ever received? It became a lesson, not a limitation.
To this day, if I hear "no," I ask myself two things:
1️⃣ What can I learn from this?
2️⃣ How do I get better?
If I had let "no" stop me, Mean Green wouldn’t exist. My message to anyone reading this—especially my sons and other young Black entrepreneurs—is simple:
Keep moving forward. Don’t wait for approval. Create your own lane.
3️⃣ Success Has No Judgment of Skin Color
One thing I know for sure—success doesn’t care about race, it responds to a system.
My parents taught me how to value myself and carry myself with integrity, and that lesson has been priceless. There were times when I was treated unfairly, but guess what?
I never let that shake my character.
I built Mean Green on consistency, discipline, and serving people—and because of that, we created a system that works. That’s why we’ve been able to grow, expand, and make an impact that lasts.
For anyone facing challenges, remember this: Success isn’t given—it’s built.
4️⃣ Black Men Are at Higher Risk—And I Take That Personally
This one hits home.
Black men die younger than other racial groups, and a big part of that is preventable.
📌 Black men are 50% more likely to develop high blood pressure.
📌 Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Black men in the U.S.
📌 Obesity, stress, and poor diet are major factors—but they can be changed.
I can’t ignore that. I take it personally.
I want to be more than just a trainer—I want to be an example. An example of what’s possible when you take control of your health, commit to growth, and invest in your future.
That’s why I’m so passionate about educating, inspiring, and motivating people to make a change.
We’re not just about losing weight—we’re about breaking generational patterns and building a legacy of health.
5️⃣ The Beauty of Diversity in Our Gym & Events
Over the years, Mean Green has been featured in newspapers, on TV, and in interviews—usually for Black History Month. And while I’m honored, my pride doesn’t come just from being a Black business owner—it comes from what we’ve built.
Our gym is different. You won’t walk into a Mean Green class and see all Black, all White, all Hispanic, or all Asian. You’ll see a community that reflects the world around us.
👊🏽 We don’t train people based on skin color.
👊🏽 We don’t hire coaches based on race.
👊🏽 We don’t serve based on labels.
We serve people. Period.
And the energy we put out? That’s what we attract.
Our fitness events, competitions, and gym culture prove one thing: We don’t lead with race, we lead with service.
That’s what Mean Green stands for.
Final Thoughts: Keep Growing, Keep Building, Keep Moving
As we celebrate Black History Month, I want to remind everyone—success has no color, but it does have a system.
💡 Love people.
💡 Refuse to be limited.
💡 Work with integrity.
💡 Take your health seriously.
💡 And always serve at a high level.
I’m proud of what we’ve built. And I’m even more excited about what’s ahead.
To every entrepreneur, trainer, and leader—let’s keep pushing the culture forward.
And to everyone grinding toward a better version of yourself—keep going.
I am proud of my skin color and embrace the beauty of it just as every race should be celebrated. I see strength, resilience, and excellence in all people, and that’s why I believe that together, united, we are unstoppable.
God bless. 💪🏽🔥
Chris Green
Owner, Mean Green Gym
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