Growing up in Geraldine, I spent countless hours in the gym, developing a deep appreciation for fitness. However, returning to a town with minimal facilities was daunting, especially as my passion for health and fitness had become a core part of my life. I wanted to ensure that future generations in Geraldine—my community—had access to better resources for physical and mental well-being.

The idea of creating a health and fitness facility for Geraldine first emerged during my undergraduate years, while working on a community betterment project. Reflecting on all the support the town and its people had given me over the years, I felt compelled to give back. This sense of duty to serve others grew even stronger during my graduate studies at the University of Mary, where I focused on servant leadership. My desire to contribute to my community only deepened, and I resolved to build a fitness facility, regardless of where my future took me.

When my husband and I moved back to Geraldine, I shared my vision with the community, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. There was a clear need for a gym, not only for newcomers but also for long-time residents like me, who had grown accustomed to more robust fitness facilities. With health concerns such as orthopedic surgeries and cardiovascular issues affecting many, the need for accessible health and fitness programs and equipment was urgent. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the importance of physical activity for mental health, making this project even more critical.

In 2014, we hosted our first fitness event, the Ranch Run Half Marathon & 5K, which helped solidify the idea of a gym in town. But it wasn’t until July 2021, after seven years of commuting as a physical therapist in Great Falls, that the vision truly began to take shape. One day, after a particularly rewarding session with a patient who had undergone knee replacement surgery, I was struck by her story. She had been overwhelmed by life’s challenges but found inspiration and transformation when she decided to take a step into a gym and hire a trainer. Her experience, which had happened years earlier, still moved her to tears as she shared how it changed her life.

Reflecting on this, I was inspired to move forward with my own plans. I also recalled the word "inspire," which comes from the Latin word meaning "to breathe," and thought about the importance of the physical, emotional, and social aspects of health. I connected this to the two spires on Square Butte, a symbol of our community, which led me to the name for the gym: Spire Health—where we Inspire, Aspire, and Perspire.

In November 2021, we officially registered Spire Health with the state of Montana. By March 2022, two health-focused entrepreneurs—Ashley Clark and Brigette Clark—joined the team. We expanded our team later that year, adding Tricia Juedeman and Shaya Clark, both of whom are passionate about supporting the community and are both successful businesspersons. In 2023 we brought on Rory Clark, a successful engineer turned farmer, who is a health-conscious citizen of our community. Together, we’re working to bring this vision to life.

I am Kalyn Joyce, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a fourth-generation resident of Geraldine, Montana, now raising the fifth generation here. Our team is committed to moving this project forward, and we invite you to join us in bringing a long-awaited fitness opportunity to our town.