Meet Kimberly Reeve

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Reeve and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a stay-at-home mom of six kids, I never dreamed that I would one day own my own business. Life was full, I was homeschooling my kids on and off from 2005 through 2024 and helping to manage parts of my husband’s business kept me plenty busy. But in the fall of 2019, an unexpected opportunity came my way. The owner of our local MMA gym asked if I could help run the front desk temporarily as a volunteer. Within just three weeks, that role turned into a paid, part-time position—the first job I’d held since becoming a mother.
At the time, I had no background or interest in fitness. But working at the gym led me to try Jiu Jitsu alongside my husband and kids. Shortly after, I joined a strength training class—not because I wanted to, but to support the young woman leading it by boosting her numbers. I intended to blend into the background, but I was the only person who showed up. Mortified, I stuck it out—and surprised myself by coming back two days later. Again, I was the only participant, but something had shifted. I began to enjoy it. I started feeling stronger, learning new techniques, and gaining confidence. Soon I was lifting weights on my own, three days a week and attending five Kickboxing classes a week. I felt great! I was confident, happy and ready to take on the world!
Then came COVID. The gym shut down in March 2020, and just like that, the progress I’d made seemed to vanish. After a few weeks of waiting and hoping for things to reopen, I realized I needed to take initiative or risk falling back into a slump. I proposed teaching virtual classes via Zoom to our gym’s members, who were still paying for their memberships. The owner agreed.
I didn’t know what I was doing at first, but I set up a Zoom class and walked participants through my own home workout. That first class had 10–12 people. I kept improving the format, and soon people from across the country were joining. It was energizing and deeply fulfilling. Seeing the positive impact this had—not just on me, but on others—my husband encouraged me to pursue certification as a personal trainer.
Balancing homeschooling, teaching Zoom classes three days a week, and studying for my certification was a major challenge, but I did it! For two years, I offered my classes for free, but after getting certified, I launched a website and began charging for sessions. Some of my very first clients still attend my Zoom class to this day.
I know the fear and curiosity that some feel when they think of joining a gym or joining a class, because I was there too, so I do my best to make whatever environment I am teaching in, a safe and fun space for people to workout.
Today, I continue leading Zoom workouts, teach at a local gym three days a week, and offer personal training. I absolutely love what I do, I want to inspire others so that they can experience the confidence and power that transforms a life when they begin to get stronger, healthier and more mobile.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Strength Training was something I never knew I needed. I felt like I was a healthy person, always on my feet, chasing after children and taking them to the beach. I had no idea how much lifting weights would change me, both physically and mentally. When I stumbled into my first strength training class, I was intimidated to be honest. I desperately wanted to join fitness classes for years, but I never could get the courage to join a class. I always felt like I had two left feet and was terrified of the spotlight ever being on me. But strength training was different—it clicked. I felt strong, capable, and empowered in a way I never had before. It became something I didn’t want to live without. When COVID shut down all the gyms, I realized just how vital group fitness classes are. Classes are a community, they keep you accountable to showing up, and friendships are developed there. I began my business because I needed that community and accountability and I wasn’t going to let lockdowns stop me. I wanted to share what I had discovered with others. I wanted everyone to feel what I felt: stronger, more confident, more alive. Even Covid, which seemed like it could be an end-all to my fitness and training, was actually the catapult that launched me into a career. I have made it my mission, to make Strength Training fun for all ages, and to create a welcoming atmosphere to those who may be intimidated. My classes are based on the individual and their own progress, not anyone else’s. In my classes, you start right where you are at, some people start with just body weight exercises and move up from there. I meet each person at their individual level and help them build strength, mobility and confidence. My goal is to make fitness both effective and fun. At the core of everything I do is community and accountability. Group classes create a space where people feel supported, encouraged, and motivated—not just by me, but by each other.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Our little town is full of so many unique activities. One of our favorite places to take friends is to our local river, its a little slice of heaven with jumping rocks and private pools to wade in. Its beautiful year around and the hike to reach it is equally spectacular. Often, when its been a long work day, we go in the evening just to relax and be in nature to end our day. But if the waves and weather are good, the beach is our first destination. My husband was a Professional Bodyboarder when we first met, so the beach has always been our playground. We bring a giant floating island when we have company and my husband takes the kids out past the waves to get tossed around and jump off it. We bring food, drinks and music and make a day of it. Ojai and Ventura have so many great restaurants and music venues. On the weekends we look for live music and we never have to look far. The Van Allan Twins and Beau Red and the Tailor Maide are some of our favorite local bands. They have a Country Blue Grass feel that gets everyone up and dancing all night. Our town has some iconic restaurants that we frequent, especially with visitors, like The Deer Lodge which is a historic restaurant and tavern. But some of our favorite restaurants are Papa Lennons, a rustic little Italian restaurant with a European Style Courtyard that makes you feel like you just stepped back in time. And Ojai Noodle House, a newer restaurant with delicious traditional Vietnamese fare, the atmosphere is sexy and the vibe is cool. The food is mouthwatering, and we often meet new friends and old friends there.
We have an outdoor music venue right in the heart of downtown, that brings in some really fun bands all summer long. Libby Bowl is situated right below our main park, so even if you don’t buy tickets for the show, you can pull up a lawn chair and let the kids play on the playground while you listen to the show. Its a perfect way to end the day on warm summer nights.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I absolutely couldn’t have done any of this without the unwavering support and encouragement of my husband, Jacob, and our children. From the very beginning—whether it was reviewing thousands of flashcards with me, helping me to carve out study time for my certification, or navigating the ups and downs of building a business for the first time—my family has been right there with me. Jacob, especially, has always been my biggest cheerleader. He believed in me even before I believed in myself. He saw the transformation happening in me and was the first to suggest I pursue personal training seriously. His support gave me the confidence to keep going when things felt overwhelming. My children have also been incredibly patient and supportive of me. I know it was difficult for them to go from having a fully stay-at-home mom to a working mom seemingly overnight. But they never complained about me being less available, they just supported my endeavors with excitement and anticipation.

Website: https://www.fitnesswithkimberly.com

Instagram: @kimberlyreeve.fit