By Pat Jenkins
The Dispatch
Mountain Fitness, a mainstay of Eatonville’s business community for more than a decade, will close March 30.
Owner Nancy Mettler said she will retire and shutter the fitness center she opened 12 years ago in October 2004.
She said she hopes to find business tenants to lease the building that has been the home of Mountain Fitness on Mashell Avenue.
Mettler thanked her customers and the “many wonderful people” she met while “serving the community.”
In addition to her business, Mettler’s community involvement has included drives she helped organize during the Christmas holidays for donations of hundreds of bicycles and clothing for needy children. The items were distributed in recent years through Eatonville Family Agency.
With a little more than a month to go in it, Mettler reflected on her business career in a short Q-and-A with The Dispatch. Among other things, she noted how fitness has impacted her and her customers.
What drew you into the fitness center business?
Mettler: I've always been involved in some form of athletics, from playing high school and college varsity sports, to hiking and exploring with my sons when they were young. During the summer, I spend a good deal of time backpacking and climbing, and in the winter I snowshoe and ski.
The last five years, I've had four knee operations, including two ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) replacements and an artificial knee. Without the fitness center to keep me active and help with rehab, I doubt that I'd be able to explore the outdoors as much as I do.
Is there is a client of yours over the years who was particularly inspirational for you in terms of their commitment to fitness or what they set out to accomplish in their fitness routines?
Mettler: I've had many favorite clients over the years that have served as an inspiration to many of us. One lady had a prosthetic leg and lung problems but still came in several times a week to maintain as much mobility as possible. She never complained and always was so positive.
Of course, there is also Bea. Over 90 and well-known to the entire community. She would drive her cart to the fitness center daily and do more than people half her age.
I could go on and on with the many success stories I 've seen, especially among my older clientele. Staying active helps so much with independence, and I'm fortunate to have been a part of this.
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