About US

Fondren Fitness was built on a simple idea: fitness should feel welcoming, supportive, and part of everyday life.

We created this space for the Fondren community — a place where people of all fitness levels can walk in, feel comfortable, and get to work. No intimidation. No pressure to be perfect. Just a gym where consistency, encouragement, and real progress come first.

Over time, Fondren Fitness has become more than a place to train. It’s a place where relationships are built, goals are reached, and showing up becomes part of your routine.

Close-up of two people using treadmill machines labeled 'Ultimate Deck' in a gym.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We believe fitness doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.

A person lifting a dumbbell at the gym, with focus on their arm and hand, wearing a white sleeveless top.
Two people giving each other a high-five with their hands in the center of the frame at a gym or fitness center, with exercise equipment visible in the background.

Whether you’re here for strength, energy, confidence, or overall health, our goal is to help you build habits you can maintain for the long run.

Our approach is built around a few core ideas:

  • MOVEMENT MATTERS

    … every workout counts.

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  • Consistency beats intensity

    … showing up is what creates results.

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  • Progress looks different for everyone

    … and that’s okay.

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  • Community makes it stick

    … support keeps you coming back.

    ✦

why fondren

Fondren is known for its character, creativity, and strong sense of community — and that spirit is at the heart of everything we do.

We’re proud to be part of this neighborhood and to serve the people who live, work, and spend time here. Our members aren’t just clients — they’re neighbors, friends, and familiar faces who make this place what it is.

This isn’t a big-box gym. It’s a local space built for the community that surrounds it.

MEET THE TEAM

Our coaches and trainers are here to support you, challenge you, and meet you where you are. With a focus on encouragement, safety, and real progress, they’re committed to helping every member feel confident and capable.

  • A man with a beard and short dark hair smiling, wearing a light blue t-shirt with a circular logo that reads 'LIFT LOCAL' and 'FONDREN FITNESS,' standing in a dark gym with fitness equipment and a large black wall in the background.

    Terry Sullivan

    FOUNDER

    After exiting a corporate job in New York, General Manager Terry Sullivan moved back to his home state of Mississippi and started a small business focusing on health and fitness.  He operated out of the Fondren neighborhood for five years, doing both one-on-one personal training as well as bootcamps and community-oriented events such as the Fondren Hill Running Club, Tabatas on the Green, and Camp liveRIGHTnow. Terry encouraged social networking for all ages through exercise.  In joining Fondren Fitness, Terry brings his passion for both fitness and the neighborhood he loves, Fondren!  

  • A man assisting a woman in performing a barbell exercise at a gym, with gym equipment in the background.

    Budd Kelly

    TRAINER

    Budd Kelly is one of our certified personal trainers. With years of experience and a passion for helping others reach their fitness goals, Budd is dedicated to providing safe and effective training programs tailored to each individual client. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, build muscle or improve your overall fitness, Budd will work with you to help you feel your best.

  • A man lifting a dumbbell at the gym, wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, with a woman in the background also exercising, in a gym setting with equipment and orange ceiling beams.

    TURLEY

    TRAINER

    Meet Personal Trainer, Turley! He is from Chillicothe, Ohio and enlisted in the US Marine Corps after high school graduation. He served as an Infantry Mortarman for 9 years, with 4 deployments, and discovered his love for the gym and fitness. He decided to pursue his dreams of playing football and enrolled in college where he studied Health & Exercise Science.

  • jay

    TRAINER

    Jay Carr, a Mississippi native, offers what could be described as a "singer's approach" to fitness and efficiency of movement.  Jay holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Mississippi College, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music with additional certifications in Personal Training and Corrective Exercise through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).  He is also a Certified Life Coach.  Through his nearly three decades of studying The Alexander Technique, Jay has a unique approach which focuses exclusively on posture, body awareness, balance and stability, and function.

  • A woman standing in a dark gym, smiling, wearing a black T-shirt with a logo, with her arms crossed in front of her.

    Jana Jett

    Jana was born in East Texas but has spent most of her life in Mississippi. She attended Pearl High School and then decided to start a family and has now raised two daughters and two sons. At 48 years old, Jana is the proud grandmother of baby Caroline. Jana fell in love with fitness while searching for a way to quit smoking. She also credits fitness for aiding in a speedy recovery after back surgery in 2015. Jana enjoys helping others reach their fitness goals and sharing the positivity exercise has added to her life. She is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer.

Ready to be part of the community?