A special advertising section championing our local women in business. In partnership with Cox Communications. Photo by Jessica Whitley.

Emily Crouch, Owner

Celesta Giddens, Coach 

Michelle Harbin, Coach 

Jamie Eischen, Fitness Manager 

4357 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210 

478-845-4505 

ecrouch@orangetheoryfitness.com 

orangetheoryfitness.com 

What is the mission of your business?

Our Heart Beat is to deliver proven fitness results for a healthier world. At Orangetheory Fitness, our vision is to be the trusted, global leader of innovative heart–rate–based interval training. —Emily

What is the most gratifying part of your job?

The most gratifying part of being an OTF coach is the daily interaction with our amazing members. It’s about the “light bulb” moments, the small increments of change, the showing up, our famous high fives, adding that .1, the sounds that are heard when we say the word “burpee.” It’s this thing we do together as a team – our incredible members, coaches and OTF staff making it happen, one class at a time. —Celesta

I admire women who:

Are original, confident and create their own personal style! I also admire any women who can rock a pair of heels every day! —Jamie

How could women better support each other?

I think women can better support each other by keeping an open mind and remembering to take a walk in someone else’s shoes. We have all traveled different paths to lead us to where we are today. If we can come together with open hearts and minds, we will be able learn from one another and it will give us new perspectives. —Michelle

How do you define success?

I define success by how many lives I am able to impact. Our members’ lives are so clearly impacted positively through Orangetheory Fitness. The different results are incredible, but the end result is not them, surprisingly enough. It becomes a trickle-down effect: They are able to live their best lives which impacts families, friends, co–workers and even strangers. Orangetheory Fitness is changing people’s lives and those that they come into contact with, I am so proud to be a part of it. —Emily

I wish I had known:

What great things were waiting for me when I was willing to get out of my comfort zone. —Michelle

What are you most excited about right now in our community?

I am excited about the growing opportunities our downtown Macon area has to offer. It is a place we come together as a community – whether spending time outdoors or in local establishments.  —Celesta

You might be surprised to know:

Orangetheory Fitness Macon was in the Top 10 studios in the country (out of over 1,000) to raise the most money for ALS last May. Our company as a whole put on a two-week fundraising effort, Augie Thon, to raise money to find a cure for ALS.  Individuals donated throughout the two weeks and the fundraiser culminated with a 90-minute class. So many people in this community, and in the world, have been affected by ALS and it was amazing to see the outpouring support for those who have been affected within our studio. —Emily

I hope more women will:

Accept who they really are and live their personal truth, despite the opinions of others. We all have a special gift to share and need to realize our own self–worth. Once you do, you will unravel all these great wonders of being you!  —Jamie

Your advice for women wanting to start their own business in Macon?

Macon has an incredible support system available for female business owners. There are so many who have paved the way in this community that have reached out to me to offer their advice, support and encouragement. —Emily