Kathy Peoples has opened Peoples Fitness Journey at the Richland Wye, fulfilling a dream of opening a health-related business when she retired.

Peoples Fitness opened in a 2,500-square-foot space at 1221 Columbia Park Trail, near Fowler Street, in a spot formerly occupied by a rental business.

Peoples graduated from Pasco High School but spent most of her career living and working elsewhere. She spent a decade in the military, then joined the Boeing Company and ultimately landed at UPS Inc., where she rose through the management ranks.

When she retired in 2019 after a 30-year career, she made a beeline home from Ontario, California.

“I moved back because my family is here,” she said.

Throughout her career, she said she always knew she wanted to open a gym and help people meet their fitness goals.

She collected equipment and developed her own format rather than joining an existing franchise. She holds certificates in bodybuilding, training and sports nutrition.

“It’s always been a lifelong interest,” she said. “I just think fitness is very important. It’s a perpetual journey.”

She spent her first year building her retirement home in the walkout basement of her sister’s house. She began working on the gym in August, at the height of the pandemic.

“Now I finally get to open,” she said. Peoples provides personal training for men and women.

She is working by herself to start but hopes to add trainers as the business develops.

She caters to 18-and-over clients.

Search Hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Contact Peoples at [email protected] for information.