New business to open in vacant building in Barkly Street, Ararat

Samantha Douglass has put her dreams and vision into reality and is in the process of creating a gym, with a cafe attached.

It's two passions of Ms Douglass' - fitness and fuel - which she said is imperative and a natural way to boost an individual's mental health.

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She said when people think of gyms, hers wasn't like one many people would have visited before.

"I've got a really close friend that lives here and when visiting her I noticed there was a bit of an opening for an idea I had," she said.

"When I opened my first gym in Tasmania, it was my dream to bring my passion to regional areas.

"The building I found already had a cafe set up at the front and with a few changes I've made enough room to put a gym at the back of the building."

Ms Douglass has a background in mental health and is passionate about the wellbeing of the community.

"Helping people and getting them to think in a different way and how they can see their health and fitness in a different light is really what drives me," she said.

"I think mental health is the number one priority at the moment due to the coronavirus pandemic. I think it is unfortunately been missed. I don't think enough emphasis has been put mental health.

"I believe exercise and eating healthy can be a holistic way to improve peoples mental health.

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"Opening the business in Ararat wasn't meant to happen as soon as this has happened, but as the opportunity presented itself I've taken the opportunity to go for it."

Ms Douglass spent 11 years in Tasmania, working at her own gym and in January 2020 opened one in her home town of Redcliffs, Victoria.

"I've been conducting personal training session via video calls which have really helped to get the business ready in Ararat," she said.

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"Once classes are back on track I will be splitting my time between the two places.

"It hasn't been too bad setting up in a new town. The only thing that's really set me back is getting access to gym gear because it has sold out right across the nation with everyone working out at home.

"I've managed to get a supplier and have some equipment on backorder but I have enough equipment to get me by."

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