STOCKTON, CA — Lakeisha Little-Shaw, a local business owner and dedicated community advocate, celebrated the grand opening of her new gym, The F.I.T. Me, this past weekend along W. Weber Avenue. The name of the gym stands for "focus, inspired and transformed," reflecting Little-Shaw's commitment to fostering holistic wellness in Stockton.
Despite its modest 500 square feet, The F.I.T. Me aims to make a substantial impact by offering small group sessions, yoga, pilates, HIIT workouts, and plans to introduce Zumba classes. "It's a small space but we do a lot in here," Little-Shaw shared at the opening event.
Little-Shaw is not new to the health and wellness industry. Two years ago, she launched The SHAW Bar adjacent to the gym, providing personalized meal plans and nutrition counseling. Her mission through both ventures is to improve both the mental and physical health of her fellow Stockton residents.
Located in an area recognized as a food desert, Little-Shaw’s enterprises are vital. They provide much-needed access to healthy lifestyle choices in a part of the city where such options are scarce. She emphasized her commitment to community accessibility, stating, "We are going to offer a lot of free things for the community because we want this to be accessible to a lot of individuals who would not have access to something like this otherwise."
Stockton City Councilwoman Michelle Padilla praised Little-Shaw’s efforts, noting the educational aspect of her work. "She really gave me a good solid foundation of how important it is and where to start," Padilla said, underscoring the importance of diet and exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The entrepreneur's work has not only captured the attention of local officials but also ignited discussions on supporting more small businesses in the area. Padilla revealed plans to seek funding that would help other small business owners emulate Little-Shaw's model.
In addition to her fitness and nutrition services, Little-Shaw's initiative, Shaw 4 Community, tackles another major barrier: transportation. By providing access to transportation, she hopes to extend her reach to those in even the most underserved parts of the community.
For more information on Lakeisha Little-Shaw's services, including potential grants and funding for small businesses, visit the City of Stockton website.