Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Warwick.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My fitness journey began when I moved to San Luis Obispo in 2000 to attend college. One of my first roles was serving as Operations Director for a gym at age 18, but my passion for health and movement started long before that. Growing up, I played multiple sports—including soccer, baseball, track, and cheerleading—and continued competing in soccer and track through college.
After having twins, I chose to stay home and be present for my family. As my children reached school age, I worked in education while continuing to train clients throughout the Central Coast, either from my home or at theirs. My background as a teacher shaped my approach to coaching, helping me connect with and motivate people in meaningful ways.
When COVID hit, I faced a pivotal decision: continue teaching or pursue personal training full-time. I chose fitness, and it became one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. During the pandemic, I worked closely with many nurses from Marian Regional Medical Center, providing a safe space where they could move, decompress, and care for their physical and mental well-being.
Driven by a passion for helping others, I opened my first gym, The Peach Pit, in Arroyo Grande during the height of COVID—a risk that ultimately paid off. Its success led to the opening of my second location, The Warehouse Gym in San Luis Obispo. Since then, I have expanded multiple times, remodeled my Arroyo Grande facility twice, and proudly became a Lululemon ambassador.
Everything I’ve built has come from hard work, determination, and reinvesting in the business—without investors or loans. My mission has always been simple: help people find movement they enjoy and create a community where we work hard and are kind to people.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, owning a business comes with its share of struggles, and there always will be challenges along the way. What most people don’t see are the countless hours behind the scenes. Being a gym owner isn’t a 9-to-5 job—it’s a 24/7 commitment. You pour your blood, sweat, tears, time, and finances into something you believe in, often sacrificing opportunities and personal time because the business comes first.
As a mom, family has always been my priority, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t made sacrifices. There have been times I’ve arrived late to one of my kids’ games because I couldn’t find someone to cover a class. Those moments are difficult, but they are part of the reality of building a business from the ground up.
When you own a gym, you’re not just the owner. On any given day, I’m a trainer, coach, therapist, janitor, maintenance person, customer service representative, and cheerleader. I set up classes, give tours, answer emails, clean bathrooms, dust mirrors, wash towels, fix equipment, and coach the majority of our classes. My days often begin at 4 a.m. and don’t end until 9 p.m.
What many people don’t realize is that clients pay for your energy. They come to you for motivation, encouragement, support, and accountability. Giving that energy all day can be incredibly draining, and by the time I get home, my tank is often empty. The profit margins in the fitness industry can be slim, but that’s never been what drives me. I do this because I genuinely love helping people change their lives.
The work is demanding, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming—but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The relationships I’ve built with our members and the impact I’ve been able to have on their physical and mental well-being make every challenge worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tarafied Fitness?
At the heart of our business is a simple mission: help people find movement they enjoy while creating a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and encouraged. We believe fitness should enhance your life, not punish you. Whether someone is just beginning their fitness journey or has been training for years, our goal is to meet them where they are and help them become stronger—both physically and mentally.
What sets us apart is the culture we’ve built. Our motto is, “Work hard and be nice to people.” That isn’t just something we say—it’s how we operate every day. We have created spaces where people feel comfortable walking through the door, regardless of their age, fitness level, or experience. Many of our members come for the workouts but stay because of the friendships, accountability, and sense of belonging they find here.
We specialize in group fitness, personal training, strength training, and creating sustainable fitness habits that fit real life. I am proud that our gyms are known for being welcoming, supportive, and results-driven without intimidation. We celebrate progress in all forms, whether that’s lifting heavier weights, improving mental health, gaining confidence, or simply showing up consistently.
Brand-wise, what I am most proud of is that everything has been built organically through hard work, word-of-mouth, and genuine relationships. We have grown without investors or loans, expanding multiple locations because our members believe in what we’re doing and continue to share it with others. That kind of trust means everything to me.
More than anything, I want people to know that we are not just a gym. We are a community. We care deeply about our members, their families, and their goals. Fitness is the vehicle, but connection, support, and helping people live healthier, happier lives is the real purpose behind everything we do.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing that surprises a lot of people is that I grew up in Yosemite National Park. It sounds magical—and it truly was. I could walk out my front door and see Yosemite Falls. I attended Yosemite Elementary School from kindergarten through eighth grade, and then spent my high school years commuting an hour and a half each way to Mariposa High School.
Growing up surrounded by that kind of natural beauty had a huge impact on who I am today. It taught me to appreciate the outdoors, stay active, and find joy in movement. More importantly, my parents laid the foundation for the values that still guide me today: work hard, be kind to people, and always show up for others. Those lessons have shaped not only my life but also the culture of my gyms and my approach to coaching.
A few fun facts: growing up, I was known for my speed on the track and on the soccer field I had a signature move that people still remember—an over-the-head flip throw-in from the sidelines. Looking back, it’s funny to think that the same energy, determination, and love of movement that fueled me as a young athlete are the same qualities that drive me as a business owner and coach today.
Pricing:
- Memberships $45
- Classes $15-20
- Unlimited classes $139
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tarafiedfit.com/
- Instagram: Tarafiedfitness
