NASHVILLE, TN – What starts as a love for sports often ends after high school for many, but for Gary Smith, it was just the beginning. The Memphis native and University of Tennessee grad didn’t initially plan on a career in health and wellness, but as it turns out, the gym had other ideas. Today, Gary is the founder of G2Fit, a Nashville-based fitness and lifestyle coaching business built around intentional training, holistic wellness, and faith-based motivation.
Early Years: A Foundation in Sports
Growing up in Memphis, Gary was the all-around athlete playing baseball, basketball, and football from childhood through high school. “I’ve always been pretty athletic,” he shares. “Sports were a huge part of my life growing up.”
But after high school, he hung up his cleats and headed east. He enrolled at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with no grand plan to pursue fitness professionally. At that time, his goal was simple, get a degree and figure it out along the way.
College Life: Discovering a New Passion
Gary may not have found his career in a lecture hall, but he did find it at the gym. “I started working out at the T-Rec, and that’s where I really got serious,” he explains. “At first, I was just a lean, 140-pound guy figuring things out, but I started seeing progress, and that kept me going.”
It wasn’t long before fitness became more than a hobby, it became a lifestyle. Gary dove headfirst into bulking and strength training, even putting on 20 pounds of muscle in one summer. But the journey wasn’t linear.
“I went through phases where I lost all my progress, then built it back up. That taught me about patience, discipline, and not chasing instant gratification,” he says.
From Internships to Entrepreneurship
With degrees in Sport Management and Business, Gary returned to Memphis unsure of his next move. A pivotal opportunity came when a family friend offered him a role at his physical therapy clinic. Although Gary didn’t have his training license yet, he began working with young athletes and learning on the job.
“That was my first real coaching job,” Gary says. “I was just doing what I knew, learning from him, and soaking everything in.”
Soon after, Gary got certified and officially launched G2Fit, an online and in-person coaching business rooted in habit building, personalized training, and realistic wellness goals.
Nashville Move: New City, New Momentum
In June of the following year, Gary moved to Nashville with the goal of expanding his reach. Eventually shifting his focus full-time to building G2Fit. Today, he trains and coaches at various Nashville gym including Orangetheory Fitness Midtown and Outlaw Training Club.
“This is when I really went all in,” Gary says. “I got serious about content creation, my client roster started to grow, and I finally felt like I was walking in my purpose.”
Using Social Media for Good
Gary’s growth on Instagram has been explosive jumping from 1,500 to over 4,500 followers in just six months. But don’t call him an influencer.
“I don’t just post to get clients. I post to inspire, encourage, and lead, whether that’s through workouts, nutritional advice, or my faith,” he says.
His content blends daily motivation, Bible-based affirmations, fitness tips, and lifestyle snapshots that speak to both gym-goers and those just starting their wellness journey.
“I want people to know they can do hard things. That they can change, and it doesn’t have to be extreme—it just has to be consistent.”
Coaching Philosophy: Discipline Over Aesthetics
For Gary, fitness is about more than physical results, it’s about transformation from the inside out.
“I used to be obsessed with aesthetics, but I’ve learned it’s not just about how you look,” he says. “It’s about building habits, routines, and a mindset that sticks.”
He helps clients understand calories, macros, meal prep strategies, and flexible dieting, aiming to remove the shame and stress from food.
“We’re not just trying to lose 10 pounds in 90 days. We’re building a way of life that lasts.”
Life in Nashville: Fitness as a Lifestyle
When he’s not coaching, Gary’s still walking the walk, literally. You’ll find him walking through the city instead of driving, checking out local coffee shops, or exploring recovery spots like saunas, cryotherapy, and compression therapy studios.
“I really enjoy the wellness scene in Nashville. I try to get in a couple of recovery sessions each week.”
Despite being in great shape, Gary embraces balance. “I love to eat out. I eat healthy most of the time, but I’m not overly strict. This isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle.”
Looking Ahead: Faith, Fitness & Future Plans
As G2Fit continues to grow, Gary remains grounded in his core mission: to help others become their healthiest selves including mentally, physically, and spiritually.
He’s currently building a website, expanding his coaching programs, and continuing to reach more people online through his motivational content.
“This is just the beginning,” he says. “I want people to see that you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need passion, consistency, and the willingness to start.”
Ready to Start Your Journey with Gary?
Whether you’re local to Nashville or looking for virtual coaching, Gary offers:
To get started, email Gary at garysmithg2fit@gmail.com, follow him on Instagram, or sign up here.
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