Building a thriving fitness community: The story of Big Mama’s House of Pain
When Michelle Braithwaite first walked into a gym, she was fighting for her health — and her life. Known today as “Coach Big Mama,” of Big Mama’s House of Pain, Michelle weighed 309 pounds, was battling kidney and liver failure, and had endured grand mal seizures in January 2015.
“I started as a member in May 2016, and I was literally dying… I had grand mal seizures… weighed 309 pounds, my kidneys and liver were failing when I turned my life around, and found a fitness format that changed everything.”
That transformation not only saved her life, it inspired her to create a space where others could do the same. Today, Big Mama’s House of Pain (BMHOP) is a thriving fitness community in Winnipeg that has been a multi-year award winner in top placements. In addition, Michelle is recognized as the city’s celebrated trainer for her energy, coaching, and commitment to helping people and transforming their lives.
This is the story of how Michelle went from a struggling gym member to the powerhouse owner of BMHOP, and how Zen Planner helped her turn her vision into a reality.
The journey to owning BMHOP
Michelle’s fitness journey started with a single decision: to show up for herself. As her health improved, her passion for fitness deepened. She became a part-time employee at the gym she attended, gradually taking on more responsibility and realizing she had a gift for connecting with people and motivating them.
It was a bold leap from her career in communications, but when the gym she worked at unexpectedly closed, Michelle saw an opportunity. “I knew I couldn’t let the community we’d built just disappear,” she says. With no roadmap — and no guarantee of success — she decided to start her own gym. That’s how Big Mama’s House of Pain was born.
Building the business
Launching BMHOP was far from easy. Michelle started with no equipment, minimal resources, and only the determination to make it work. What she did have was a loyal group of members who believed in her and were ready to follow her lead.
In those early days, Michelle wore every hat — coach, operations manager, fundraiser, and marketer. She ran classes, handled payments, promoted her services, and hustled to get the gym off the ground. Slowly but surely, she added classes, invested in equipment, and built a team of dedicated coaches.
Her focus was always clear: create a welcoming space where everyone, regardless of fitness level, feels seen, supported, and celebrated.
How Zen Planner helped
Running a gym meant Michelle’s to-do list never ended. From scheduling classes to tracking memberships and collecting payments, the administrative load was heavy. That’s where Zen Planner became her secret weapon.
“Other than my lease payment, Zen Planner is my most invested business piece. It does so much behind the scenes like recurring payments, and it tracks my members’ workouts. It helps me keep everything running smoothly.”
Zen Planner’s tools gave Michelle more time to focus on her members and less on paperwork. She especially loves the automated engagement features:
- Birthday messages to make members feel special.
- “We miss you” reminders when members skip classes.
- Milestone tracking for 100, 200, and 300 workouts — all automated.
“I love that Zen Planner sends out birthday messages, keeps track of when members miss a workout, and sends them a little ‘we miss you’ reminder. I don’t have to worry about it. Zen Planner handles it.”
Celebrating milestones has become a beloved BMHOP tradition. “We celebrate milestones like 100, 200, 300 workouts. Members love it. It keeps them coming back, and it builds our community. I also love how Zen Planner tracks these milestones automatically.”
Zen Planner also helps Michelle track key business metrics so she can make informed decisions about growth and operations. And when she needs help, she knows she can count on the Zen Planner support team.
“I love how friendly and helpful the Zen Planner’s support team is. They are so knowledgeable and quick. I’ve been with them for 8 years, and I never feel like I’m left in the dark.”
“Other than my lease payment, Zen Planner is my most invested business piece. It does so much behind the scenes like recurring payments, and it tracks my members’ workouts. It helps me keep everything running smoothly.”
Success and milestones
Michelle’s relentless commitment has paid off. BMHOP has won Platinum (1st) for Fitness Centres & Gyms in 2023 and 2025, Gold in 2022, and Platinum in Personal Trainer in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025. Being a well-loved fitness community in Winnipeg, members are all praises about both the workouts and the welcoming culture Michelle has cultivated.
What sets BMHOP apart isn’t just the workouts — it’s the culture. Michelle makes it her mission to know every member personally, celebrate their wins, and create a sense of belonging. This approach has fostered remarkable member retention and loyalty.
“I’m not here to get rich. I just want to build my brand and leave a legacy for my kids. It’s been about growth, and now I’m focused on team building and marketing, to really scale BMHOP.”
Looking ahead
Michelle’s vision for the future is as ambitious as her journey so far. She’s building her coaching team, expanding her presence in Winnipeg, and working to elevate BMHOP as a recognized brand in the fitness industry.
With Zen Planner continuing to streamline operations, Michelle plans to spend more time on strategic growth, marketing, and community outreach. She wants to ensure more people in Winnipeg have access to the supportive, empowering environment she’s created.
“I’m not here to get rich. I just want to build my brand and leave a legacy for my kids. It’s been about growth, and now I’m focused on team building and marketing, to really scale BMHOP.”
Join the BMHOP journey
Big Mama’s House of Pain isn’t just a gym — it’s proof that with passion, perseverance, and the right tools, anything is possible.
To see more of Michelle’s journey and get inspired, check out Big Mama’s House of Pain’s website or follow them on social media. Whether you’re an aspiring gym owner or simply someone looking for a fitness family, BMHOP is a testament to the power of community and the results that happen when you show up, work hard, and never quit.
If you’re a gym owner or planning to open your own fitness space, Zen Planner can help you do what Michelle did: streamline your operations, engage your members, and free up time to focus on growth. From automated class reminders to milestone tracking and effortless payment collection, Zen Planner makes it easier to build a thriving fitness community.
I’m Coach Kelli, a devoted CrossFit gym owner with 15 years of experience managing my facility, along with owning yoga studios and wellness centers. Beyond the fitness world, I have a passion for cooking, cherish moments with my children and family, and find joy in spending time outside. Having experienced the highs and lows, I’m dedicated to leveraging my expertise to help you grow and succeed on your fitness journey.
About the Author: Kelli Sweeting
I’m Coach Kelli, a devoted CrossFit gym owner with 15 years of experience managing my facility, along with owning yoga studios and wellness centers. Beyond the fitness world, I have a passion for cooking, cherish moments with my children and family, and find joy in spending time outside. Having experienced the highs and lows, I’m dedicated to leveraging my expertise to help you grow and succeed on your fitness journey.
