The journey of Lauren Estes Fitness
“Health is wealth and movement is medicine!”
For Lauren Estes Bailey, owner of Lauren Estes Fitness, this isn’t just a catchy phrase, it’s the heartbeat of everything she does. It’s the encouragement she speaks over her clients daily, the mindset she lives by and the mission that drives her work.
Estes Bailey, now a local International Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) Federation Pro and well-known fitness business owner, never thought her fitness journey would lead her to where she is today. When she first stepped into the world of health and wellness, it was purely out of passion. She loved the way training made her feel — the discipline, the challenge and the constant push to be better. With time, her journey grew from more than just her own and develop into a passion for creating an environment where others could discover their potential, set goals and reach new heights.
“I thrive in an encouraging, empowering atmosphere,” Estes Bailey said. “I wanted to cultivate that for others. I love watching people reach the goals they set for themselves and I love to be a part of it and help raise the bar. I tell my clients all the time, ‘I am not calling you out, I am calling you up. I’m holding you accountable to be your best self.’” That mindset became the foundation of Lauren Estes Fitness — a business built on life balance, long-term sustainability and mastering the basics to achieve lasting success.
Before launching her business, her fitness journey began in 2015 when she entered her first bikini division bodybuilding competition. To Estes Bailey, it was never about becoming a professional athlete —a t least, not at first. She simply loved the lifestyle and the challenge. But bodybuilding, especially competitive prep, isn’t for the faint of heart. “For anyone who has prepped for a show — it’s different. There’s no instant gratification,” she explained. “It’s months of compound consistency when you have no energy, when you’re sick, when you want to do anything else. Athletes who choose to compete are made different because, at the end of the day, we choose it. We choose the lack of quick turnaround. We want the longevity. It makes the journey worth it.”
As her love for the sport grew, so did her commitment. With 14 bikini division competitions on the books, she transitioned to the fitness division in 2019, competing in more than 27 shows over the years, including eight national pro-qualifying competitions between 2020 and 2023. In June 2023, her hard work paid off, earning her the coveted IFBB Pro Card, an elite honor only given to a handful of competitors each year through rigorous competition. Estes Bailey had reached a pinnacle of prestigious bodybuilding, an accolade not shared by many in the world, and even fewer in northern Alabama.
Estes Bailey in her element, doing what she does best at the Lauren Estes Fitness gym (Lauren Estes Bailey)
But to Estes Bailey, it was always more than just a title — it was the meaning behind it that she chased. “It meant I didn’t quit; I finished. I saw something through that was bigger than me that was at one time what I deemed unreachable,” she said. “I believe adding those letters after my name showed that if I could accomplish something that remarkable, then others could do it in their own way, too.”
While bodybuilding had become a significant part of her life and shaped the way she viewed fitness for others, coaching and training had always been a part of her true calling. Estes Bailey’s background in broadcast journalism and writing gave her another career path, but fitness steadily grew into a focal passion instead of a secondary job. For years, she worked in local gyms while balancing her role as a journalist, but something about the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle never felt right. Eventually, she took a leap of faith — turning her side hustle into a full-time career by opening her own business, Lauren Estes Fitness.
“I had no clue how to run a business and I am still learning every day,” she admitted. “I just wanted to coach and train. Thankfully, I had a tribe around me that poured into me at different points and helped me figure out the necessities.” By 2020, her business began to flourish, giving her the push to officially register Lauren Estes Fitness as an LLC, pursuing personal training and group classes as her full-time job.
“Although I’ve been training for nearly a decade, I’ll be at my location eight years in March. It’s been a wild ride of ups and downs. I struggled, but I learned. But it was all a process necessary for my journey,” she shared. “Jesus allowed the tests I faced to become my testimony and I’m very grateful for that.”
While time proved that Estes Bailey’s dedication to her clients and their potential has been an effective business model, Estes Bailey’s approach to training is what sets her apart. While some trainers push extreme regimens or lack a personal touch, she preaches balance and sustainability. “I feel like several things I personally offer, no one else does locally. Some things are the classic ‘old school’ routines that work,” she explained. “I truly try to be the preacher of balance and moderation.”
A packed-out night crew after a Booty by Lauren class focused heavily on glutes and core movements (Lauren Estes Bailey)
“I want your fitness journey to be a lifestyle that you can keep up for life,” she said. “Crash diets, unrealistic workouts and weight loss fads? You won’t find those in my gym. I am a believer in the mastery of the basics, while adding fun and flair in the process.” Her philosophy hearkens back to the very beginning: “Health is wealth and movement is medicine!”
So how does she do it? Running a business, competing as an IFBB Pro athlete and personally coaching clients requires an incredible amount of discipline and Estes Bailey is the first to admit that balance for herself is something she’s still working on. “I am still working on figuring that one out. Some days, I’m great at it. Other days? Not so much,” she laughed. Her routine starts before the sun rises — waking up around 4 a.m. and in the gym by 4:45, coaching clients for five to six hours, handling business operations, back at home writing for The Cullman Tribune and then heading back for another three to four hours of training. While it seems to be a lot to juggle, Estes Bailey has made it clear that she wouldn’t have it any other way.
While her journey has had its fair share of setbacks, she believes every challenge has shaped her into the coach and business owner she is today. “I’ve learned that every period of brokenness had a purpose. I have won, lost, started over and learned so much. But every hardship allowed me to build something better. My gym has become so much more than a place to live and sweat. It’s a sanctuary of therapy, support, encouragement, energy, prayer, love and understanding.”
With every early morning, long day of work and competition prep and each setback that challenged her path, Estes Bailey has been led to what she calls the most rewarding part of her job: watching her clients achieve things they once thought were out of reach. “To see them do things, complete things that at one time were a tiny dream, means everything to me. I get to see them win, and no two wins ever look the same,” she said. “For one person, it’s finishing a race. For another, it’s moving weight they never imagined lifting. I’ll never have two clients with the exact same goal, but every win matters.”
For those just starting their fitness journey, her advice is simple, “Stay consistent and show up,” she shared. “Even on the days you don’t want to. No one can do any of it for you. You literally can make anything happen if you continue to be consistent. If you only have 40%, give 40%. That’s growth, consistency and balance.
“If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be this: stop having imposter syndrome. It’s okay to learn. It’s okay to be a beginner. It’s okay to not be great at something when you start,” she added. “It’s okay to bet on yourself, but be prepared to work. Always be prepared to work.”
The Vision board, where dreams and goals are set into place for the year to come (Lauren Estes Bailey)
Looking ahead, Estes Bailey is excited for the future of Lauren Estes Fitness. She hosts an annual Vision Night, where clients set personal and fitness goals for the year. Every December she hosts an event called the “Grinch Games,” an extended hybrid workout that comes with themed medals for participants, with hopes of kicking one off for the earlier part of the year. She’s also preparing to introduce a brand-new class to the gym, one that will be the first of its kind locally. “I can’t release the info yet, but we are bringing a class to the gym soon that I won’t be teaching and it will be the only one of its kind locally. Stay tuned!” she said.
For more information about Lauren Estes Fitness, upcoming programs or personal training, contact Estes Bailey at leestes21@gmail.com or follow her on Facebook or Instagram at Lauren Estes Fit.
