Today we’d like to introduce you to Brisban Roumpz.
Hi Brisban, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I often joke that movement has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Long before I ever owned a business or stepped into the wellness industry professionally, I was the little girl spending countless hours in dance studios, growing up in the world of competitive dance. Dance taught me discipline, confidence, and how deeply movement could impact not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well. Looking back now, it feels like the very first thread in a story that would eventually weave itself into everything I do today.
That passion for movement led me to Grand Valley State University, where I pursued a degree in Exercise Science. I had a clear vision for my future and felt excited to enter the health and wellness field. But like so many people in the class of 2020, life took an unexpected turn. I graduated right as the COVID-19 pandemic began, and suddenly the world felt uncertain. The plans I thought I had were replaced with survival mode, and I found myself navigating jobs in completely different industries, from logistics to weddings to management roles, simply trying to figure out where I belonged.
During that season of uncertainty, I also lost myself in many ways. Over the course of the pandemic, I gained more than 60 pounds through unhealthy habits and choices, despite knowing better from my educational background. That was one of the hardest realities for me to face. I had the knowledge, but knowledge alone does not make someone immune to struggle. I learned firsthand how easy it is to lose connection with yourself when life feels heavy.
Eventually, something inside me shifted. I realized I did not want to continue living disconnected from my health, my confidence, or my purpose. I began going back to the gym simply to feel healthy again. What started as small steps toward reclaiming my life soon grew into a much bigger goal: competing in a bodybuilding show. That journey became transformational for me, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. It reminded me how powerful consistency, discipline, and self-belief can be.
At the same time, my passion for exercise science came rushing back. I decided to return to school to pursue my master’s degree while also working at StretchLab in East Grand Rapids. Being back in an environment centered around movement, mobility, and helping people feel better reignited something in me that had been dormant for years.
In the summer of 2023, I completed my bodybuilding competition, a moment that represented far more than stepping on stage. It symbolized resilience, growth, and proving to myself that I was capable of rebuilding my life. By that point, my passion for health and wellness was stronger than ever, and I knew without question that this was the field I was meant to be in. More importantly, I realized I wanted to help other people experience that same transformation and confidence within themselves.
Soon after, I began teaching evening and online kinesiology classes for Aquinas College in Grand Rapids while continuing my work at StretchLab and progressing through my own health journey. Through working closely with clients, I discovered just how much I loved client care and helping people reconnect with their bodies. That passion ultimately led me back to school for a third time to earn my medical massage license.
Once I completed my massage training, I decided to build something of my own. I believed deeply that stretching and massage therapy worked hand in hand, and I wanted to create a space where clients could experience both forms of care together. In 2024, I launched my first business, Day One Wellness, in Grand Haven, Michigan. What began as a dream quickly became a thriving business centered around helping people move better, feel better, and care for their bodies in a sustainable way.
Even after a successful first year and a half, I still felt a pull toward something bigger, especially in the area of women’s wellness. I could not ignore the quiet voice telling me there was more I was meant to create. After a great deal of prayer and consideration about operating two businesses, everything began falling into place in a way that only felt possible through God’s timing.
That is when I found the space I now call home: The Hive Dance and Fitness in Spring Lake, Michigan. The Hive became West Michigan’s first women-only dance and fitness facility, a place intentionally designed to make movement empowering, welcoming, and fun again. Today, I continue to own and operate both The Hive and Day One Wellness, creating a full-service wellness experience where women can prioritize their physical and mental well-being in one supportive community.
What makes me most proud is not simply the businesses themselves, but the environment we are creating. So many women walk through our doors carrying insecurity, burnout, stress, or fear of judgment. Watching them rediscover confidence in themselves, in movement, and in their health has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.
For a long time, I thought my story was about fitness. But now I realize it has always been about helping people come back home to themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, and honestly, I think that is what makes the journey so meaningful. One of the biggest challenges was graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2020 right as the COVID-19 pandemic began. I had worked so hard for my Exercise Science degree and suddenly entered a world where everything felt uncertain. Instead of stepping directly into my field, I found myself working in completely different industries just trying to adapt and figure life out during such a chaotic time.
During the pandemic, I also struggled personally with my own health. I gained over 60 pounds from unhealthy habits and choices, which was difficult because I knew the importance of health and wellness from an educational standpoint. That season taught me that having knowledge and actually living it are two very different things. I experienced firsthand how easy it is to lose yourself mentally and physically when life becomes overwhelming.
Another challenge was rebuilding my confidence and discipline after feeling disconnected from myself for so long. Preparing for a bodybuilding competition pushed me mentally, physically, and emotionally in ways I had never experienced before. There were countless moments of self-doubt, exhaustion, and wondering if I was capable of following through.
On top of that, returning to school multiple times while working different jobs and eventually starting businesses came with its own sacrifices. Balancing graduate school, teaching, client care, massage therapy training, and entrepreneurship required a lot of long hours, risk, and faith. There were many moments where I questioned whether I could successfully manage everything I felt called to do.
But every struggle ultimately shaped the purpose behind what I do now. The difficult seasons gave me a deeper understanding of resilience, compassion, and what so many women go through when trying to rebuild confidence in themselves and their health. Those experiences are what allow me to genuinely connect with the people I serve today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Hive Dance and Fitness was created to be more than just a gym or studio. It was built to become a safe, empowering space where women can reconnect with themselves through movement, community, and confidence. We are proudly West Michigan’s first women-only dance and fitness facility, located in Spring Lake, Michigan, and our mission has always been centered around making fitness feel approachable, fun, and supportive rather than intimidating.
At The Hive, we specialize in women’s wellness through group fitness, dance-based movement, strength training, and confidence-building experiences. We offer a variety of classes designed for women of all fitness levels, whether someone is stepping into a studio for the first time or has been active for years. One of the things we are most known for is creating an environment where women immediately feel welcomed and accepted. So many women walk into fitness spaces feeling judged, overwhelmed, or insecure, and we work hard to ensure that The Hive feels different from the moment they walk through our doors.
What truly sets us apart is the sense of community we are building. The Hive is not about perfection, comparison, or chasing unrealistic standards. It is about helping women move their bodies in ways that feel joyful, sustainable, and empowering. We focus heavily on confidence, connection, and creating a space where women can show up exactly as they are. We want movement to feel like something women get to do, not something they are punished into doing.
Another unique aspect of our brand is that I also own and operate Day One Wellness alongside The Hive. Because of that, our clients have access to a more complete wellness experience that includes not only fitness and dance, but also recovery and body care through stretching and medical massage therapy. I strongly believe that wellness should be holistic, and having both businesses allows us to support women from multiple angles of health and healing.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the culture we have created. Watching women who once felt uncomfortable in their own skin begin to regain confidence, make friendships, try new things, and genuinely enjoy movement again has been the most rewarding part of this journey. Seeing women come in nervous and eventually leave feeling stronger mentally and physically reminds me exactly why I started this business in the first place.
I want readers to know that The Hive is for every woman, not just the women who already feel “fit.” Whether someone is beginning their wellness journey, rebuilding confidence, healing their relationship with exercise, or simply looking for community, there is a place for them here. Our goal is to create an experience where women feel supported, encouraged, and excited to take care of themselves again.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For anyone just starting out in business or entrepreneurship, my biggest advice would be not to wait until you feel fully ready. There will never be a perfect time, and confidence is built through action, not before it. I also think it is important to understand that success rarely happens in a straight line. There will be setbacks, pivots, failures, and seasons where you question yourself completely. Those moments do not mean you are failing. Often, they are the exact moments shaping you into the person capable of handling what you are building.
One thing I wish I knew when I was starting out is how important community and relationships truly are. People remember how you make them feel long before they remember what you sold them. Genuine care, consistency, and creating meaningful experiences matter more than trying to appear perfect. I also wish I understood earlier that burnout is not a badge of honor. Rest, balance, and protecting your own health are necessary if you want to sustainably pour into others.
At the end of the day, I believe the most powerful businesses are built with purpose, authenticity, and heart, and that is exactly what I hope women feel every time they step into The Hive.
Pricing:
- 1st Class is Free (The Hive Dance and Fitness)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehivedanceandfitness.com
- Instagram: thehivedanceandfitness
- Facebook: The Hive Dance and Fitness
