Planet Fitness^® is all about being a Judgment Free Zone^® for its members and staff. Make-It Fit, LLC demonstrated its commitment to the JFZ philosophy by partnering with the Community Based Transition Center (CBTC), a transition services program at the Richland School District. The CBTC partners with many organizations and businesses to allow for local career training and placement.

Through the arrangement, Make-It Fit helped Preston Morris reach his career goals. For years, Morris had been interested in fitness and wanted to someday become a fitness trainer. However, after graduating high school, he was unsure how to achieve his goals. His mentor, Xavier Johnson, worked out at Planet Fitness in Richland, Washington, and reached out to the staff about getting involved with the CBTC program. The staff members were excited about the opportunity to help Morris, hiring him as an intern to learn more about the Planet Fitness trainer role.

Morris started with the club in November 2021 cleaning the machines and equipment, greeting customers and helping the personal trainer work with members. Make-It Fit hopes the position will turn into a full-time position for Morris, who is thriving in his role and feels at home at the Planet Fitness club.

The partnership between the PF^® franchise and the CBTC has changed Morris’s life for the better. “Working with Preston and being a part of this program has brought me so much joy! Seeing how much progress and growth Preston makes every day working with us and teaching him how to not only be a PF staff member but a fitness trainer as well has been truly inspiring,” said Jay Briones, a fitness trainer with Make-It Fit’s Richland club.