Climbing Higher: How UPHILL Fitness is Reframing What Wellness Looks Like in Brunswick

Apr 23

If you’ve been following the local wellness scene, the name Michelle Hill might already sound familiar. As the founder of UPHILL Fitness, Michelle has carved out a space in Brunswick that’s as much about healing as it is about movement. But beyond the recognition, Michelle’s impact is grounded in something deeper: intention, care, and community.

More Than a Gym—A Space to Be Seen and Supported

Michelle Hill owner of UPHILL Fitness. Photo by Courtney McGill

Michelle Hill’s journey didn’t start in a gym—it started in Chicago, where her passion for helping others took root at a young age. At just 14 years old, she attended a women’s conference with her mother and sat quietly as women shared stories of anxiety, low self-esteem, and disconnection from their bodies. While most teens may have zoned out, Michelle was locked in. “I remember thinking—I can help with that,” she recalls. Even then, she understood that fitness wasn’t just about appearance—it could be a way to help people feel stronger, more confident, and more connected to themselves.

Years later, she brought that mindset to Brunswick, Georgia, where she’s lived for over 15 years. It’s where she’s raised her family, built her business, and turned a personal calling into something much larger: a community-centered fitness studio where real transformation happens.

A Space Built on Support—Not Judgment

The interior of UPHILL Fitness. Image sourced from Instagram (@uphill_fitness_ga).

In 2023, Michelle officially opened UPHILL Fitness at 106 Commerce Drive in Brunswick. But long before there was a sign on the door, there was a commitment: to create a space where people of all fitness levels could feel safe, encouraged, and seen.

UPHILL Fitness offers:

One-on-one personal training tailored to each client’s goals
Mobility training and rehab support, especially for those recovering from injuries or surgeries
Bootcamp-style group workouts for energy and motivation
Virtual classes for those who need flexibility and accessibility

This isn’t a space built around comparison or pressure. It’s where teachers sneak in workouts on their lunch breaks, healthcare workers regain their strength, and people who’ve never felt comfortable in a gym finally feel like they belong.

“People come here in different stages of life—some are rebuilding, some are just getting started, and some are pushing themselves to new levels. I meet them where they are,” Michelle says.

The Power of Starting Small

Photo courtesy of Michelle Hill, owner of UPHILL Fitness.

What makes Michelle’s approach different is her emphasis on mindset. For her, it’s not about chasing a certain body type or following fitness trends—it’s about helping people value themselves enough to invest in their own health. “You can’t expect to take care of something you don’t love,” she says. “That shift—the one where you realize you’re worth the effort—that’s where it all begins.”

And for Michelle, that shift started with showing up. During the early days of the pandemic, she began hosting workouts live on Instagram—not to grow a following, but to help others move through the isolation and uncertainty. That daily commitment led to a flood of messages from people asking, “Are you offering training?”—and just like that, the foundation for UPHILL Fitness was laid.

Two Years of Impact and Counting

March 2024 marked UPHILL Fitness’s two-year anniversary, and Michelle shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to growing her client base, she launched UPHILL Apparel, a line of motivational fitness wear designed to inspire confidence beyond the gym.

She also shared a proud moment with her family when they were featured on the cover of the first-ever Ujamaa Brunswick Black Business Directory, released during the inaugural Ujamaa Brunswick Conference this past December. Alongside her husband, Davon Hill Sr., and their son, Davon Hill Jr.—both entrepreneurs in their own right—the image symbolized everything UPHILL represents: family and purpose.

Building More Than Muscle

Michelle doesn’t see herself as just a trainer. She’s a guide, a motivator, and someone who deeply believes in the people who walk through her doors. She knows firsthand that there’s no perfect time to get started—but there is power in deciding to start.

“I tell people all the time—your emotions are valid. Your doubts are real. But your goals are still possible,” she says. “We just have to be willing to take the first step.”