Meet Marcie Lemieux | Fitness Instructor & Health Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marcie Lemieux and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I decided to start my own business there were a lot of factors that motivated me. For starters I knew cutting the middle man out made it more cost effective for my clients as well as more profitable for me. It gave me and my clients a way to develop a more personable relationship that could be customized to each client’s own needs.

Another factor that helped launch my company was Covid hitting. Many gyms shut down, and when they reopened a lot of people still didn’t feel comfortable returning. This allowed me to offer the opportunity to train remotely, in bootcamps outdoors, or go to a client’s home/apartment for training.

Lastly, working for corporate gyms I had conform to the look they wanted. I couldn’t have red hair, show my tattoos, have visible piercings, etc. They wouldn’t work with clients on cancellations, illnesses, etc. There was no flexibility and very little freedom. The quality of life wasn’t nearly as enjoyable, and I knew I couldn’t work my way up if I didn’t take a risk to go out on my own.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The path I took has not been a straight one as most people’s aren’t. I originally started off in medicine. I graduated as the Outstanding Graduate of my 2010 class at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Pre-Med with a major in psychology and a double minor in biology and chemistry. I had published research, attended a mission trip in Haiti, completed many hours of community service, worked as a teacher’s assistant, was involved in countless extracurricular groups/activities inside and outside of my university all on top of working as a nanny and being a single mom. I then went to medical school at Louisiana State University Health & Sciences Center – Shreveport, which I withdrew during my third year because it was just too challenging being a single mom, and I felt like I was missing out a lot.

I was then trying to find my purpose/calling. I was always into fitness, but never considered making a career out of it. Growing up I did competitive cheerleading, soccer, basketball, track, cross country, and gymnastics. I started weight lifting after my daughter was born to get rid of the nickname “Skinny Minnie” and to become more active again. I fell in love with it. I made friends, loved the challenge, and was good at it so after I left medical school I decided I wanted to be a competitive bodybuilder. This is what gave me something to works towards while trying to figure out my next career move, and this is what led me to turning this passion into a career.

A lot of things occurred in between leaving medical school and starting my company. My little brother passed away unexpectedly. I got into medical sales, but left the field to take care of my sick grandfather and go back to school for another degree. I relocated from Louisiana to San Diego for more opportunities. All during this period I was personal training too. It started off a doing it on the side, but became a full time job once I went back to school to “figure out a career path” not knowing I had actually already found it.

So what sets me apart? There are many things. For one my educational background in medicine. Also the training I’ve had from being involved in multiple sports, working with many different athletes from bodybuilders to MMA fighters to boxers. In have been in the medical field as well as competing as a body builder I learned anatomy as well as the craft of nutrition. I started off extremely skinny and wanting to build mass to putting on quit a bit of weight after my bodybuilding show and needing to take it off so I’ve been at both ends of the spectrum. I’ve worked with individuals with physical limitations such as frozen shoulders, strokes, obesity, arthritis, and torn ligaments just to name a few. I’ve worked as a nanny so I’ve been able to use that experience to work with children or even find fun ways for them to be involved when training mom or dad. However, what sets me apart most is my love for what I do and in being able to help others. It is not just a job. It’s a passion. It’s a calling.

Therefore I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I hit some really tough periods, but overcame. My name means ‘warrior’ and I definitely live up to that name. I’m proud of the impact I’ve had on so many individuals’ lives. I’m proud of being able to start my own company. I still have a ways to go, but I’ve had so much love, support, and guidance during the process. I’m proud of the opportunities that I have gotten to be a part of due to all my sacrifice and hard work. I’ve gotten to model for fitness companies and am currently working on a fitness app called MAZ Fitness, which will soft launch in September 2022. There’s so many things to be proud of that the list could go on and on. I’ve learned to never give up. I’ve learned you might not know who you are or where you belong, but everything happens for a reason so just to hang in there.

And that’s the background to how Gunz n Bunz became my company!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hey, it’s funny this is a question. I may have forgotten to mention I do trip itineraries for myself as well as friends, family, and clients on the side. However, this is a tough question to answer without knowing what someone’s interests might be. Are you a foodie? Do you like craft beer? Are you into outdoor activities? Well these are all things San Diego has to offer.

For starters, San Diego has some amazing farmer’s markets that are located all throughout the city on different days of the week. There’s also the San Diego Zoo, which is a rather popular spot as well as Sea World. Balboa Park is a great area to walk around in too. There’s always stuff going on there. You should definitely finish the day by catching the sunset in OB at Sunset Cliffs.

If you’re into sports we have the Padre’s baseball. There are tons of hikes with some well known ones being Torrey Pines, Los Penaquitos, and Cowle’s Mountain. There are many beaches. If you’d like to sea the sea lions go to La Jolla. You can also kayak out there through caves. If you like more of the college scene go to PB (Pacific Beach). Plus you can’t miss the famous boardwalk out there. There’s tons of great surfing spots, but I’m not the one to ask for that. The best gyms at The Gym in PB as well as Stern’s Gym, which is a very old school, but great spot to train.

Also, in case you didn’t know, San Diego has a great craft beer scene. Some of my favorites are North Park Beer, Modern Times, & Pure Project because I prefer IPAs. California Wild Ales has the best sours in my opinion, and AleSmith has some great stouts. On the topic of drinks, if you like scotch then check out The Whiskey House, which is a bar with the largest whiskey collection in one place. For rooftop bars there’s Kettner Exchange, Born & Raised, & Craft & Commerce. Top speakeasies are YoungBlood, Noble Experiment, and False Idol.

If you’re a foodie then you can’t come to town without trying some of the best tacos, which you can find at El Gordo & Las Cuatro Milpas (authentic) or Salud & Lola 55 (more modern). The Friendly has the best burgers although they compete with Rocky’s and Balboa, which some consider to be the “real OG’s”. Bronx has the best NY style pizza. Steakhouse wise Lou & Mickey’s, Ember & Rye, & Cowboy Star, are musts. Sushi Ota is a hole in the wall sushi place that’s beyond amazing, and Hidden Fish has great omakase. You can also try Soichi, which was just awarded a Michelin Star. Some other favorites of mine would be Juniper & Ivy, Herb & Wood, Fork Oak, & Costa Brava.

Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous you can just walk across the border and explore Tijuana.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my daughter Ella Lemieux. She has been such an inspiration throughout my fitness journey. I’m a single mom, and starting off in this industry I remember her being patient and spending hours at the gym so I could develop and advance my skill. I would come home from school, and she would be playing on fitness apps trying to learn herself. As she grew older she began working out with me. Now she is a competitive dancer and cheerleader who actually just won the All American, Top Star Jumper, & Star Tumbler Awards for UCA. Thanks for all your love and support baby girl!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gunz.n.bunz/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcielemieux/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fittanfun/