This week on the Dragon Tree Podcast we had the immense pleasure of speaking with Greg Lassiter, owner and president of Champions Health and Fitness Center in Greenville, North Carolina. Greg is a recognized small business owner who recently received the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce's 2024 Small Business Leader of the Year Award for his incredible efforts within his local community.

His extensive experience in the health and wellness field spans over three decades, helping clients achieve their life goals. Greg's own story is also a testament to the power of his great communication style, perseverance, passion, and a little bit of divine timing. Growing up in eastern NC, Greg's early years were marked by tenacity and hard work.

He earned his money through various jobs from the age of 13, while he also attended school. College wasn't on his radar, at first, while he began playing American Legion baseball. A guidance counselor even suggested he become a shoe salesman, instead of pursuing higher education, but luckily a fellow athlete's casual mention of a local college baseball program changed his career path.

After three years of juggling studies (and, ironically, selling shoes), he transferred to East Carolina University. There, on campus, Greg found his true calling within the field of community health education. A pivotal moment happened during an unpaid internship for the NC health department, while he was far from home. After taking a random turn, Greg came upon a brand new health spa by happenstance, during the era when health and wellness centers were becoming increasingly popular.

"I mean, I hadn't even prayed 40 minutes before then," he shared, describing it as a crucial point in his life when earning income due to his academic schedule was becoming increasingly difficult. After he spoke with the owner, he was immediately offered a position. "Gives me chills to think about it right now," he mused. "I was so thrilled to have a job because I needed to make money, but also it was in a field that I was very interested in pursuing."

This juncture gave Greg the extra push he needed to rent a small building and start Champions Health and Fitness Center from the ground up. He also taught and coached baseball and football for four years at the town's local middle school, to support his new venture.

Here's a quote from one of his former students:

"Whether it was on the field or in his classroom, Coach G always made sure you were seen and respected, whatever your background. He told us to stay positive about our dreams, encouraged us to respect ourselves and others, and always reach for the stars. In all my years, I've never met a teacher so kind, hilarious, and full of life. I'm convinced the answer to most of the world's problems can be found in his extraordinary wisdom and perspective!"

Greg's philosophy has always extended beyond just fitness. It's deeply rooted in the realm of human connection. He emphasizes that in order to succeed, "you can't do this business without having people in mind".

He asserts that this philosophy has essentially lead to his success in both his personal and professional life. In his spare time, he's also a stand up comic who has performed at many local venues. His comedy has often been inspired by his life and a unique and rich family history.

Greg continually touches on the enduring need for a warm and personable connection, especially within an increasingly high tech environment.

"I don't think that people in business, when it comes to doing what I do, will ever totally be able to get away from the (human) communication standpoint," he says. "We like to get to know the people."

🎧 Tune into our full conversation with Greg here: [link to podcast] 👉 Visit Champions Health and Fitness Center online: https://championsofgreenville.com

ICYMI: Our last episode featured Melvin Hines of Upward, who discussed his approach to helping people succeed in college through a mix of tech automation and the human element. You can listen to that episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQ1uYITLhA

We’re always on BlueSky, Threads (@dragontreecomms), Instagram (@dragontreecomms), and Twitter/X (@DragonTreeComms).

And remember: Life’s a marathon, not a sprint, and with the right mindset (and maybe a good laugh!), you're always a champion! 🏋️‍♂️