Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
For South Texas College (STC) alumna Amanda Thompson, 28, fitness has always been more than a passion, it’s a pathway to building confidence, community and connection for women navigating motherhood.
Thompson is a McAllen native, mother of three and owner of FIT4MOM McAllen, a local fitness studio designed specifically for pregnant and postpartum mothers. She graduated from STC in 2018 with a degree in Kinesiology, which laid the foundation for her work today.
“I chose South Texas College because of its affordability and its strong sense of community,” she said. “I loved that my classes weren’t overwhelmingly large, so I never felt like just a number. I was able to build meaningful relationships with my peers and instructors, and those connections helped me grow both personally and professionally while creating very valuable networking opportunities. Plus, my whole family went through STC, so it was a no-brainer to carry on the Jaguar tradition.”
Thompson’s interest in Kinesiology stemmed from her lifelong love of dance and curiosity about how the body moves and performs. After becoming a mother, her career path shifted.
“Initially, I envisioned working with dancers in a gym setting to help improve their strength, stability, endurance and balance,” she said. “Once I became a mom, I noticed there wasn’t much for pregnant moms or new moms to get a workout in with their baby by their side. “I switched gears and pursued my pre and postnatal fitness journey. My education in Kinesiology gave me a strong foundation in human movement, exercise science and injury prevention, which I now apply daily when creating safe, effective workouts.”
While working in the fitness industry after graduation, Thompson recognized a gap in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) for inclusive, supportive fitness programs tailored to women in different stages of motherhood. So, in 2021, she took the leap and launched FIT4MOM McAllen.
FIT4MOM McAllen is part of a national fitness franchise designed specifically for mothers. Thompson discovered the brand and immediately connected with its mission. However, the nearest location was in San Antonio.
“What stood out to me was that the closest location was in San Antonio, which showed me there was a real gap in our local community,” she said. “I knew moms here deserved the same level of support, safe fitness and community, so I brought FIT4MOM to McAllen to create a space where moms feel seen, supported and empowered while navigating motherhood.”
Since opening, Thompson has witnessed powerful transformations in the women she serves.
“I’ve seen women gain confidence, strength and a true sense of belonging,” she said. “Many moms come in feeling isolated, overwhelmed or disconnected from themselves, and over time they build friendships, improve their physical and mental health and rediscover their confidence. This mission is important to me because when moms feel supported and empowered, it positively impacts their families and the entire community.”
She said starting a business came with uncertainty, especially not knowing whether the community would embrace her vision.
“The hardest part was taking the risk and not knowing if moms would actually show up or connect with what I was creating,” she said. “Putting yourself out there and offering something so personal comes with a lot of uncertainty. The most rewarding part has been seeing moms show up consistently and truly embrace the community. Watching women find strength, confidence and support in this space makes every doubt worth it, and it’s so incredibly fulfilling to know that something I believed in resonated with so many moms.”
Looking ahead, Thompson plans to expand FIT4MOM McAllen’s class offerings by adding evening and weekend classes to better serve working mothers. She also plans to continue growing community partnerships and involvement throughout the RGV.
“Most importantly, I want to keep building our village,” she said. “A supportive, welcoming community where moms feel seen, encouraged and never alone in their motherhood journey.”
For more information on STC’s Kinesiology program, visit: southtexascollege.edu/academics/kinesiology/.
Information source: STC
