Inspiring Conversations with Genna Smith-Lubanski of Mortar CrossFit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Genna Smith-Lubanski.

Hi Genna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I lived in California, had just got out of the military when I found CrossFit. It was unlike any other workout program I’d done. When I first walked in I was like, where’s all of the equipment? I lived there for a couple of years before I moved back to my hometown in Michigan. When I got here CrossFit wasn’t as popular, less gyms and further distance to get there. But I decided that I would drive to a city 25 minutes away just to go. That may not seem like a long ways, but for us from a small town; that’s a long ways just to workout! So I commuted for a solid 2.5 years before I stopped driving up and started doing the same sort of stuff in my garage. At the time I was a single mom and I didn’t want to have to leave my kid with my mom anymore just to workout (although she was happy to have him). So I worked out for a while in my own gym, and then after a few months I got a job as a fitness instructor at a local group fitness place called Brickk. I told the owner, my boss, that my ultimate goal was to open my own CrossFit and coach full time. So with the help of her, we rented a very small auto garage and started Mortar CrossFit. That was in 2017 and I had found out that I was newly pregnant. Fast forward 2 years and we were quickly outgrowing our space. That’s when I, along with one of my members at the time, now business partner Ashley, decided to buy out the current owner and build a whole new gym one city over. We opened the new space just before Covid hit the winter of 2020, I also had found out right about then that I was pregnant again. So we opened for about 3 months, before being shut down for 3 months due to COVID. But then when we reopened we had a huge influx of members I think who were just ready to get out of the house. And we’ve been thriving since. Just two strong willed females who want to better our community by providing a space where our athletes are championed and supported thru movement and healthy lifestyle.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No. Not smooth. Within the first 3 months we had to shut down. Then I was off for a while on maternity leave. My business partner Ashley went thru a big life change. Keeping it a safe and fun environment for everyone definitely has its challenges.

We’ve been impressed with Mortar CrossFit, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We love being a part of the CrossFit community and repping the brand. There’s really nothing else like it. Providing functional training that combines both strength and cardio makes for a really effective workout.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Pray. Lots of prayer. The only reason I even started my own gym, with help of course, is because I knew that that’s what God wanted me to do. From there just a lot of hard work. Time to get to know your members, social media is really big right now at least. To be better on their I would suggest as Ashley and I are not 😂

Pricing:

• Unlimited memberships are $125 a month
• 3x a week memberships are $95 a month
• 2x a week memberships are $85 a month
• Military/first responder discount
• 20% off corporate discount with any company with 5 or more employees who join

Contact Info:

• Website: mortarcrossfit.com
• Instagram: Mortar_CrossFit