This week Tracy dives deep with Chuck and Tony from Complete Fitness House Springs! These guys are on a mission to change the world one person at a time in a welcoming yet challenging environment. Their gym is truly one of a kind, complete with a "prison yard" that includes a rock wall and an outdoor shower (there are rules). 

Both Chuck and Tony are examples that anyone can change their life regardless of the limitations others try to apply to us. Both experienced challenges in school growing up. Tony was told he would never amount to anything and eventually dropped out of high school. 

While holding down full time jobs, these two inspiring men came together in the midst of the pandemic, bought a failing gym and turned it around. They put everything on the line and proved to themselves (and everyone else) that they are capable of amazing things. 

Chuck and Tony remind each of us that when we truly believe in ourselves and our mission, we are unstoppable regardless of our past. 

Chuck reminds us that we only fail when we give up!

Andria Van Mierlo retired early from St. Louis County Police Department in March of 2022 to follow her dream of turning her fitness hobby into a full time business.  When she retired was a Sergeant in the Division of Special Operations Special Response Unit.  She was also a task force officer with the United States Marshals Service.

Andria left an amazing 20 year career in the police department.  She earned her way into many great assignments and units during her career.  Andria  worked undercover in narcotics for six years where she did hand to hand deals with drug dealers all over the St. Louis area, wrote search warrants and wiretaps and traveled around the US doing undercover work for the FBI.

She also worked in the intelligence unit for approximately 4 years where she was a Task Force Officer with the FBI and ran a multi state federal racketeering investigation which resulted in the federal prosecution and conviction of 21 violent  outlaw motorcycle gang members across seven states.

She also served as a Sergeant for the city of Jennings precinct  and as mentioned above spent three years in special operations where her unit served during civil unrest and riots and also handled violent fugitive apprehensions in the St. Louis area.

Andria left  her amazing career because she did not like where her department was going and how it was being run.  She also had a huge dream of running her own fitness business full time.

Fitness was a huge part of her life since college.  She has been a personal trainer and crossfit instructor.  She has competed in boxing matches, marathons, ultra marathons, half iron mans and numerous fitness/physique competitions.

Andria and her husband Greg  ran Blueline Fitness St. Louis for several years on a part time basis.  In the fall of 2021 they decided to rebrand their business as VM Fitline and worked with a web designer Lindsey Reams to build an amazing website to showcase their business and their fitness app.  Then in March of 2022 Andria decided to leave police work behind and take the leap of faith  and go all in with her business VM Fitline.

Andria has no regrets since leaving and has since used her social media profiles to Empower and Inspire others to get comfortable with uncomfortable and attempt the unthinkable whether it be for a fitness goal or a career change etc.

She now spends her day teaching fitness classes, training clients one on one in their studio gym, and designing fitness and nutrition plans for her online clients.   Andria is truly living out her dream.  To learn more about Andria and her business check out her website at   vmfitline.com

She recently co-authored a healthy lifestyle cookbook with her friend and fellow entrepreneur Tony Patton.  She also has a line of fitness accessories to include booty bands and figure 8 lifting straps which are sold at Complete Fitness House Springs and  online via her instagram profile.

In this episode, Tracy Taylor and Tony Patton discuss the importance of change, chasing your dreams, and setting aside the fear of failure.

Tony, for 18 years, was repairing cars that had been damaged by hail. He worked 9 months out of the year and for the other three months he and his family would pickle jalapeno's in his kitchen. One year Tony decided to cast aside any doubt and posted his pickled jalapeno's on Facebook just to see if they would sell. Tony could not anticipate just how popular his pickled jalapeno's would become. Overnight, Tony received 485 orders for his pickled jalapeno's. 

This was his choice point, cancel the orders or find a way to fill them. 

Tony got to work to find the ingredients and materials he would need to fill the orders. This was just the beginning though. Tony later went on to create more products (you can find a list of them and where to buy them below). 

Tony encourages you to go for your dreams. Don't be afraid of change or failure. Don't let anyone stop you or discourage you from making your dreams come true. He reminds us all that now is as good a time as any to make the changes you've been wanting to make. He reminds us that failure is far less frightening than staying the same. 

Tony is a bit of a local celebrity and has been featured on several podcasts as well as KSDK for his famous Tony's Sweet Heat line. You can  learn more about him here by following the link below.  

https://www.ksdk.com/article/entertainment/television/show-me-st-louis/tonys-sweet-heat-bloody-mary-mix-was-born-in-st-louis/63-518731367 

Tony Patton is the founder of Tony's Sweet Heat. He has five delicious products on the market: Bloody Mary Mix, Jalapeño pepper and sweet heat marinade, all purpose rub, Tony's Sweet Heat salsa, and Sweet Heat jalapeno mustard coming out. 

You can find these products at: Supplement Super Store, Kendrick's Meats, Fryer Tuck liquor stores, Kirkwoods Farmers Market, Dogwood Liquor store, and Total Wine and More. Or, order online from the comfort of your home at tonyssweetheat.com.

And as always, until next time, continue feeding your ego!