2 years ago for Christmas, I hand crafted a box that could hold DVDs for my wife Shannon. Shannon loves Christmas and each year we rewatch our whole collection of Christmas movies from November 1st to December 25th. The box fits 22 movies, and I’m now realizing I should have made a bigger box!

One of those Christmas classics that we love watching is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Originally a box-office flop in 1946, the movie became a sentimental staple of Christmas when the film’s production studio failed to renew their copyright, and tv stations could play it royalty free through the 1970s and 1980s.

The main character of the movie, George Bailey, gets a glimpse of what the world would have been like if he had never been born. Just before George is about to commit suicide, the angel Clarence intervenes and shows George this alternate reality. The vision is a stark contrast to the life George knew—proving his life was incredibly meaningful and infinitely impactful to the people around him. A whole town looks completely different because George lived in it.

George’s business, the Bailey Brothers’ Building and Loan also plays a vital role in the town—providing housing and financial stability to their blue collar community and keeping it out of the control of the greedy villain in the movie, Mr. Potter. It wasn’t in George’s plans to take over for his late father, but he put his dreams on hold to make sure the business continued to serve the town and its people.

I only recently started appreciating this movie myself as a 40-year old father of 2. I can see myself in George’s story. I’ve lived in the same town for 35 years and there were times in my life I thought I’d have “bigger” goals accomplished and seen a lot more of the world. I don’t know if my ambitions were ever as adventurous as George Bailey’s were, but they certainly were as self-centered.

Now it’s also come to the point where the small business my brother Andrew and I started together in 2012, is now solely my responsibility in 2024. It’s up to me to make sure it keeps running or fold it up as we talked about many times over the years.

When I start to wonder if it’s worth it to keep FitTown going, I remind myself of the lessons from “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

I’m reminded that it’s not FitTown that is important to Jupiter. It’s not the building, or the workouts.

It’s the hundreds of “Georges” that attend FitTown that make our world a better place. Each person has their own story they’re creating each day—and subsequent alternate realities they are not creating.

FitTown exists to encourage each and every “George.” It provides the platform for interactions and friendships to happen. It’s these small interactions that can have seismic shifts on others and the world we create together.

Sometimes the most profound impact we can have is simply creating a space where people feel seen and supported. That doesn’t necessarily mean a physical space like a gym, but just an open and caring space between people.

I’m proud of what we’ve built at FitTown, but it’s the people inside the walls that are the stars of this movie. Every “let’s go!” or “keep pushing!” is a small encouragement that can go a long way. Every little interaction matters.

You get to choose your approach and mindset each day to ensure every interaction you make matters. Sure, there were big things in George Bailey’s life that mattered, like saving his brother from drowning—who then ended up becoming a war hero and saving others. But there were a million other little instances that couldn’t fit in the film—where George’s contagious kindness mattered to someone else.

You never know what a simple smile can provide for someone having a bad day. Never underestimate a sincere “how are you?” “You’re doing great,” is easy to say in the gym, but have you ever tried it at Publix? Go out of your way to encourage someone today.

The story of George’s immediate impact was told in a 2-hour film. But if you were to examine the impact of ALL the people he impacted, the movie would go on indefinitely. 

Impact is infinite.

Impact is also accessible to everyone.

You’ll never get the privilege of knowing the extent of your impact, but don’t underestimate it. It’s greater than you could ever imagine.

We could close FitTown tomorrow and I would be so grateful for the impact it’s had in 12 years. In that finite time, there are already infinite dividends that will continue in this world.

But I’ve prayed through the pandemic, changing of our ownership and staff, loss of members, bridge closures, etc…. and God’s not done creating “George’s” in our gym.

God reminded me that there are only so many positive places left in this world. FitTown is one of the few places left where people can openly give and receive support as they go through life. I feel that divine duty to make sure FitTown continues for others, and continue making it the greatest place possible for people to gather.

THANK YOU to every “George” who has walked through our doors and has left a positive impact on another. You have left a lasting impact on me that I am eternally grateful for.

God Bless & Happy Birthday FitTown! 

FitTown Jupiter – Est. December 10, 2012

-Coach Tony