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    Deborah Rook, left, and Shana Evans, joined forces recently when Evans moved her business, Shana’s Nutrition & Supplements, into Rook’s Main Street Gym & Market.

Main Street Gym & Market partners with Shana’s Nutrition

The path has been winding but Deborah Rook and Shana Evans seemed destined to become business partners.

Rook, the owner of Main Street Gym & Market and Shana Evans, owner of Shana’s Nutrition & Supplements met through mutual friend and gym member Clint Stewart who saw the benefit that Evans’ products and personal training expertise could bring to the business Rook started in downtown Pittsburg two years ago.

Rook had dropped the sandwiches from her offerings at the market, opting to keep the specialty coffee and smoothies, but where it’s headed now is what she’d originally envisioned.

“Running two businesses the first year out of the box was a lot and in the very beginning this was the direction I was already thinking I wanted to go,” Rook said. “I wanted supplements and nutrition to compliment the gym. When Clint brought it up, I said, ‘That’s crazy. That’s something I have thought about,’ so we met and here we are.”

As of May 1, the two share the space with Shana’s products lining the wall on the market side, which Rook stressed is open to the public, not just to members of the gym.

As of June 4, the sandwich board is back by popular demand, too, offering turkey sandwiches and low carb healthy wraps.

“It’s been a huge request, especially from the men who want something to go with their smoothies,” Rook said.

They are in the middle of a Biggest Loser Challenge that continues through August for members and non-members, they offer free Yoga in the Park classes, and they have started a new running club. That’s in addition to the gym’s offerings of top of the line exercise equipment, five class instructors, 24/7 gym access and free Wi-Fi.

“I’m excited about what we’re doing here,” Rook said. “I’ve been a lone ranger in this for a while. It’s been nice having fresh energy come in with great ideas and it is fun having her here.”

Evans moved her 14-month-old business from Mount Pleasant to join Rook in Pittsburg. Evans was big in athletics in Gladewater and played volleyball for LeTourneau University. After starts and stops over the years, she earned an associate degree in 2013, but instead of pursuing elementary education, she found her passion in the fitness and nutrition industry, managing Total Nutrition in Longview before opening her own shop. She has a huge social media following and is well known for her knowledge about supplements, body building and personal training.

“I did cross fit for three years, competed in it and recently competed in a body building show and got my pro card in natural body building,” Evans said. “I want to be able to help people get to their goals. So many people want to do it, but they don’t know where to start.”

She works with members of the gym and walk-in customers on a one-on-one basis to help create a nutritional meal plan and supplement regimen that fits their needs.

“I hold my standards a little higher than some other places that just sell you stuff. You need to be educated on the product,” Evans said. “That’s huge for me. When they come and talk to me about supplements, and even meal plans, I make sure I can get them precisely what they are needing.”

Quality is also a key factor in the brands of nutritional, weight loss and muscle building products she offers.

“I stick with smaller house brand companies because they have better quality products. They aren’t all about the dollar. They are more about the quality. We are also looking at bringing in organic products,” Evans said.

“I love that we can offer this to our members and it’s kind of cool that two women are business owners and we’ve come together. We’re both strong and we want to see great things happen here,” said Rook, who opened the gym and market after working in the fitness industry for 20 years in Nashville and Dallas.

“It’s always been my passion. I enjoy helping people. It’s so gratifying,” Rook said. “Gym life is like no other. People become your family.”

For Evans, it feels like home already.

“It’s a completely different environment than where I was,” she said. There are good vibes here. Everybody is always in a good mood and they’ve been very welcoming. It’s been nice. I like it a lot.”

The Pittsburg Gazette

112 Quitman
Pittsburg, TX 75686

Phone: 903-856-6629