Starting a business is rarely a straight path, and for Chayla Brown, the journey was anything but predictable.
Her path to health, fitness and self-discovery was a deeply personal one. As a child, she was active and loved sports, but after 23 years of marriage and becoming a mother of three, her focus shifted entirely to her family. Over time, she lost sight of herself, her confidence declined, and she fell into a cycle of self-neglect. She found herself avoiding certain clothes, struggling with her weight, and feeling disconnected from the vibrant person she once was.
At 360 pounds, reality hit hard—she couldn’t even run with her children. She became fixated on weight-loss shows, longing for a change but unsure how to begin.
Inspired by a Mother’s Love
The turning point came when she confided in her mother, admitting despite constant support from her husband, she no longer felt beautiful. In response, her mother, a steadfast source of encouragement, vowed to help her, even offering to pay for a trainer. That moment sparked a transformation, not just physically but mentally.
“It was a moment of clarity. I will never forget it… Everyone always says ‘you have to believe in yourself.’ I never believed in myself, but my mom never stopped [believing], never in a million years. She’s still my biggest fan.”
Through hard work, dedication, and self-belief, Brown rebuilt herself over the course of six years. Now at about 165 pounds, she is committed to guiding other women through their own journeys. Her gym, Forever Fit Moms, isn’t just about fitness—it’s about reclaiming confidence, finding strength, and building a supportive community for women like her.
From Basement Workouts to a Thriving Fitness Endeavor
Her journey began with a single person, her long-time friend Shawnetta Layton, who saw her impressive progress and requested some personal training. Chayla trained her in her basement and after seeing improved results the idea sparked to expand her services to others.
This transition from a small basement operation to a full-fledged business was not initially planned. “It’s so funny because, literally, this was not my plan. I had no idea I would do this. I started with one person. After that, I got so excited I opened the gym.”
With a leap of faith, Brown committed wholeheartedly to the idea of building a safe space for women who wanted to take charge of their physical and nutritional health.
“I literally just jumped in. I started out storing gym equipment in my living room and basement, and with the help of my husband we brought my vision to life. I had no one when I opened the gym, I did everything myself.”
From these humble beginnings, she now has 50 dedicated patrons and counting, and is currently looking to expand her business with a larger facility, trained staff, and new fitness and nutritional offerings.
How Forever Fit Moms Grew Into a Community Pillar
Brown reflected on how she felt inspired to create a space where women of all ages and weights could work on themselves without judgement and surrounded by support. From that singular goal, her business flourished. “I used to walk into major gyms and feel like people were watching me. I’d be so scared to get on the machines, thinking somebody was looking at me. So, I built this space where we’re all here for the same thing. No makeup, no pressure—just come as yourself.”
She recalls one particular experience that reaffirmed the mission behind the gym, the day Leatonya Marner came in — I’ll never forget it. She was about 200 and something pounds when she walked in the door, and she was so quiet, saying ‘hi I need some assistance. I see that it says “moms” out here, and I need help.’”
Brown welcomed her with open arms, eager to prove the impact of her training. Over time, their bond grew stronger, and she became her brand ambassador. “She was the first person to walk into my gym when I found it, and she stuck with me through it all.” Through hard work and perseverance, she lost over 55 pounds. Even after suffering a serious ankle injury, she remained committed, rehabilitating with Brown’s guidance.
From Doubt to Dedication
At first, she wasn’t sure if people would take notice, but her husband reassured her that they would—and he was right. Before she knew it, women were knocking on her door, eager to join. Wanting to go beyond fitness, she started incorporating special events, including healthy meal demonstrations and even catering to teach clients how to make nutritious choices fun and enjoyable.
“I don’t believe in extreme [nutritional] restrictions. I keep things realistic because when you take everything away, people fail, so I simply adjust things gradually. Clients even send me pictures of their meals, and I help them make better choices. I always say, ‘If you’re out to eat and can’t decide, send me a picture, and I’ll help you out.’ That’s the purpose of this community.”
Reflecting on her journey, Brown is proud of the community she’s built. “I questioned myself, I doubted myself, but I just said, ‘Let’s go.’ And now, I look around, and people have found me. They come, they stay, and they support each other. That’s what this is all about.”
For those interested, Forever Fit Moms of Reisterstown, Maryland offers a number of flexible options. You can purchase a standalone meal plan for $30 or sign up for training packages based on how many days per week you train—two, three or four days. Drop-in sessions are $30 per hour.
Get started taking your health into your own hands!
