Lead With Love, Show Up Anyway: Monica Beeman on Building Community Through Energy, Encouragement and Hard Work

Some people walk into a room quietly; others bring the room with them — and Monica Beeman is the kind of person who prefers the latter. Born in Texas, Beeman’s path has taken her across the country before eventually rooting her work and leadership in the Ark-La-Tex region. “I was born in Lubbock, Texas, and later moved to Tucson, Arizona,” Beeman says. “For my senior year of high school, I relocated to Jacksonville, Florida. After marrying a Navy serviceman, I lived in San Diego before settling in Atlanta in 2004.”

Over the years, she has worn many hats: marketer, gym leader, entrepreneur, community organizer, wife, and mother. “I have been married to Doug Beeman since 2013, and together we love staying active, working out is something we share. We also enjoy heading into Arkansas for cabin getaways, where we can unwind and spend quality time together,” Beeman says. She has also raised two daughters, Abigail, who now lives in Conroe, and Brianna, who lives in Corpus Christi. They have followed their own paths professionally. “Both are geologists working in the field they studied,” she says. “They inspire me every day, not only because they excel in their careers, but because I instilled a strong work ethic in them early on. Seeing them succeed is my greatest joy.”

Yet for many people who encounter her in the community, Beeman is best known for her unmistakable energy. Her nomination described her as the “hype woman everyone wants in their lives.” Beeman replies, “When I hear that, it excites me because it is exactly who I am,” she says. “I am the ultimate cheerleader, always pushing friends beyond what they think possible. I celebrate every win, male or female.” That enthusiasm — whether directed toward fitness, business, or local events — reflects a philosophy that shapes nearly everything she does, Beeman says.

Walk through the doors of Cass County Fitness in Atlanta and, according to Beeman, the atmosphere matters as much as the equipment. “A typical day for me as General Manager at Cass County Fitness feels like the TV show ‘Cheers’ the moment I walk in,” Beeman says. “Everyone is greeted and acknowledged.” She describes a routine centered on interaction rather than administration. “I am intentional about making sure members know I am there for them,” she says. “Whether it is helping with billing, guiding a workout, or showing them how to use a machine.”

Her role, she says, is not limited to management tasks. “My day is filled with high-fives, hugs, conversations, and, most importantly, building relationships,” she says. “Every interaction is about making sure they feel valued and loved.” Beeman believes a gym environment can shape how comfortable people feel about starting a fitness journey. “What makes someone feel comfortable walking into Cass County Fitness is immediate, genuine acceptance,” she says.

According to Beeman, the result is a culture built around inclusion. “I foster positivity, body inclusivity, and equal respect whether someone is a bodybuilder or on their first step,” she says. That commitment also influences how she motivates members who feel discouraged. “I motivate people by being relatable,” Beeman says. “I show them I am human too.”

Beeman points to her own life experiences as part of that connection. “I have been a collegiate athlete, a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, and a community leader,” she says. “I have been obese, divorced — I have lived many phases.” Those experiences, she says, allow her to meet people where they are. “I remind them they are not alone,” Beeman says. “They can overcome.”

Ultimately, the goal is to help members leave with renewed confidence. “When someone leaves my gym, I hope they feel truly appreciated and empowered,” she says. “I want them to leave believing they can tackle any hard thing in life.”

One of Beeman’s proudest moments at Cass County Fitness comes from her interaction with a special client, Jacky Rogers, who was featured on the TV show My 600-lb Life. “At Jacky’s highest weight, she was 710 pounds, and she chose to go on national television and show the world that she could do the hard things. They filmed her at her lowest emotional moments. They filmed her at her most vulnerable. However, instead of hiding, she pushed through the pain, the fear, and the self-doubt and showed up for herself anyway. Today, she is around 300 pounds. That kind of courage is rare. I sometimes worry about wearing shorts in public because of what people might think, and here she was showing her whole story to the world. To me, that is true bravery. She proved that no matter how hard the journey is, you can choose to fight for yourself. Helping her on that journey was incredibly rewarding, and to see Jackie stay committed, transforming her life, those are the moments that mean everything to me,” Beeman says.

While Beeman spends much of her time inside the gym, her work increasingly extends into large-scale community events. One of those projects began with a simple conversation between mother and daughter. “Pickle Fest Texarkana was inspired by a moment when my daughter FaceTimed me from a pickle festival in Corpus Christi,” Beeman says. “Seeing how fun it was, I realized Texarkana did not have anything like that.”

The idea quickly gained momentum. “I posted the idea last April, and the excitement exploded,” she says. “From that moment, I organized it myself over six months.” Beeman says she initially expected a modest gathering. “I never imagined it would grow so huge in its first year,” she says. Instead, attendance reached about 15,000 people.

With the success of Pickle Fest Texarkana came additional opportunities. The team behind the Texarkana Air Show later approached her about helping. “I became involved with the Texarkana Air Show after the success of founding Pickle Fest,” Beeman says. “The air show team reached out to me specifically to coordinate their vendors.” Her role focuses on connecting local businesses and event organizers. “As vendor coordinator, I leverage my local contacts and experience with food and retail vendors,” she says.

For Beeman, events like these serve a larger purpose than entertainment. “What I love most is seeing people set aside their stress and just be present,” she says. Watching families and neighbors interact is part of what motivates her continued involvement. “Whether it is kids beaming or adults smiling, these events give them a chance to enjoy a unique, local experience without traveling to a big city,” she says. Beeman says those moments illustrate how shared activities can strengthen community ties. “I love watching them relax, enjoy a pickle, and spend quality time with family,” she says. “It is that joy and sense of belonging that makes bringing the community together so rewarding.”

Beyond events and fitness, Beeman’s work often centers on community support initiatives. “At Cass County Fitness, giving back has always been important to me,” she says. Her first efforts focused on seasonal drives. “Since we opened in 2021, I started with blanket drives and then transitioned to food drives for the last three years,” she says. Food insecurity in the region influenced that decision. “Food is fundamental, both for life and even for fueling workouts,” Beeman says. “I know that some families struggle.”

Beeman is also expanding her nonprofit efforts through Pickle Fest Texarkana. “Pickle Fest Texarkana is now a nonprofit,” she says. “Starting in April, we will be giving back through a Blessing Box.” The initiative will operate as a small community pantry. “The first box will be outside at Cass County Fitness in Atlanta, and later expanding into Texarkana,” Beeman says. The concept is simple, she explains. “It is a mini food pantry, free for anyone in need. Take what you need, give what you can, and be blessed.”

When speaking of leadership, Beeman’s view is closely tied to encouraging others. “For me, leadership is about empowering others to make their own decisions, knowing I have their back,” she says. That philosophy shapes how she interacts with colleagues and volunteers. “I lead by fostering trust and independence,” Beeman says. “Encouraging them to solve problems and grow.” She acknowledges that mistakes are part of the process. “If things go wrong, I guide them to learn,” she says. “But always with care.”

Beeman also offers advice for those who feel intimidated by new challenges. “Find that one thing you already feel good about,” she says. “Something you know, something you do well, or something you care about.” From there, she says, confidence often grows gradually. “On days when you are not feeling it, you still show up,” Beeman says. “Sometimes you do have to fake it a little.”

When asked about guidance for younger women, Beeman emphasizes action over hesitation.  “My advice to young women is simple: do not wait until you feel ready or confident to go after something that matters to you,” she says. Confidence, she argues, often arrives after effort rather than before. “Work hard, be kind to people, and stay true to who you are,” Beeman says. “The impact you make in your community and in the lives of others will always matter more than titles or money.”

As she continues to manage the gym, organize events, and expand nonprofit efforts, Beeman says her motivation remains rooted in relationships. “My first love is marketing,” she says, “but to me marketing has never been about selling — it is about relationships.” That perspective, she says, connects the different chapters of her career. “From being a stay-at-home mom, to owning a marketing company, to running a gym, competing as a bodybuilder, and founding Pickle Fest Texarkana, my journey has taken many turns,” Beeman says.

Looking ahead, she expects focus on people to remain constant as new ideas and community initiatives emerge across the region. “My motto is simple,” she says. “When you lead with love for people and confidence from within, you will find the courage to chase the things that once scared you.”

Quote from nomination: Monica Beeman is the GM at Cass County Fitness. She is the hype woman everyone wants in their lives! She is the epitome of happiness. Not only does she do a fantastic job running Cass County Fitness, but she also manages multiple events (the Texarkana Air Show and Pickle Fest) and holds a food drive at the gym each fall for a local food bank. – Amanda Jackson