We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kailey Rowan. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Kailey, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now most days I either coach clients or classes from around 4/5am until 8/9am. Then I will take a break to workout or just decompress for an hour and then start working on the business. Typically after lunch I will read for personal development and then have 1-2 more appointments in the afternoon some days. My brain works the best during the morning/day so I do my best to knock everything out earlier vs later
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kailey Rowan, Owner and Coach at North County Fitness & Performance (NCFP) in Vista, California. I’ve been in the fitness industry since 2009 and opened NCFP in 2017 with the goal of creating something different. A space that’s focused on real connection, individualized training, and building a strong, inclusive community.
We’re a radically inclusive gym that offers group strength and conditioning classes, personal training, specialty programs like HYROX and Calisthetics, and open gym access. Whether someone’s an athlete, a weekend warrior, or just getting started, our programs meet people where they’re at and help them grow from there.
What makes NCFP special is the environment. We’ve created a space where people feel seen, supported, and challenged. We notice when you’re not here. If you haven’t shown up in a couple weeks, you’ll probably get a call or message from me or my team checking in because care and want you to continue to show up for yourself.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I learned most about work from my parents and my grandpa. My grandpa was a pharmacist for 50 years and owned his own pharmacy. I grew up visiting him there and would hang out with him all day at work. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was learning about work ethic, structure, and what it means to show up for something consistently.
My parents taught me to follow my passion and do what I love. My dad has been a musician his whole life and painted houses on the side to support that dream. Watching him showed me that it’s possible to commit to what lights you up while still doing what you need to do. My mom was a seamstress for over 20 years, and later shifted careers a few times—always choosing work that made her happy in that season. They both showed me that you don’t have to stay stuck in one thing forever. You can evolve, pivot, and build a life that reflects who you are.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve wanted to give up many times since I opened my gym. Owning a business comes with a lot of challenges, stress, setbacks, moments where you question if it’s all worth it. But what keeps me showing up is the people. I walk into the gym, see our members and my team, and I’m reminded why I do this. The community we’ve built is what makes the hard days worth it. Even when things feel heavy, I know I’m not doing this alone. That’s what keeps me going.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that what really matters to me is showing up for my people, my gym, and myself. They’d probably say I care a lot about growth, both personally and in others, and that I value real connection. I don’t just want surface-level relationships. I want the kind where you can talk about the hard stuff, hold each other accountable, and still laugh through it.
They’d also say I care deeply about creating space for people to feel seen and supported. Whether it’s through coaching, a conversation, or just being present, I want the people around me to know they matter.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I truly believe this is what I was meant to do. Help people. Support people. Be a safe space for people. My parents never pressured me to follow a certain path. They always encouraged me to follow my heart, and I think that freedom allowed me to lean into what I was naturally drawn to. I didn’t always know it would look like owning a gym, but I’ve always known I’d be helping people in some capacity. This just happens to be the place where everything clicked.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.northcounty.fitness
- Instagram: ncfitness.performance
- Linkedin: Kailey Rowan
- Facebook: ncfitness.performance
- Yelp: North County Fitness & Performance
