Momentum Fit Incorporated

04/25/2026

There are certain people who come into your life and your business at just the right time, and when you look back, you realize they were always meant to be part of the story. For me, Marquis Edwards is one of those people. I first met Marquis in 2012 when he was helping with the strength and conditioning program for JJVA while he was finishing his degree. Even then, there was something different about him. His presence, the way he connected, the way he cared. I knew early on that I wanted him to be part of what I was building. At the time, though, he had his own path to figure out. He stepped into the big box sector, exploring his options and considering whether physical therapy was the direction he wanted to take. And while I respected that, I also knew I wasn’t done crossing paths with him.

In 2017, everything came full circle, and it happened in a way that feels very “Momentum” when I think about it now. Marquis had dinner with Klodi, and that conversation was the turning point. Klodi came back to me afterward and let me know he thought Marquis was ready to join the team. I believe he was one of the factors that led Marquis to choose to come over and join our team. Within a week, things were in motion, and Marquis was transitioning into Momentum full-time. What I didn’t fully realize at the time was just how much of an impact that decision would have, not only on the business, but on our community and on my life personally.

Marquis is not just someone who works here. He is family. I have had the privilege of watching his life unfold in ways that go far beyond the walls of the gym. I watched him fall in love with Cortney in 2020. I was there when he proposed to her at the triathlon. And... this past February, I had the honor of officiating their wedding. Those are not just milestones. Those are moments that define relationships, and they speak to the depth of connection in this place.

When you hear Marquis talk about Momentum, you start to understand exactly why he has made the impact that he has. He describes it as his second home, the reason he is still in Jacksonville at all. There was a moment when he was ready to leave, ready to move back to Orlando with no clear plan, until the right conversation and the right people pulled him back into something bigger. He also talks about love, and I think that’s what sets him apart in a way that is hard to teach. He says, “I love all of the people I work with and the ones that walk through the doors each day ready to put their all into a workout and entrust both the things going on in their lives and their future health with me.” That word, love, shows up again when he talks about the relationships that are built here. Not surface-level interactions, but real care and compassion for the human being showing up day after day, trying to make their life better. That is exactly what we strive for, and Marquis lives it out consistently.

What has always stood out to me is the way this environment has allowed him to become more of himself. He openly shares that outside of the gym, he is not someone who naturally starts conversations or seeks out interaction with strangers. And yet inside these walls, he has grown into someone who not only greets people but truly wants to know them. He wants to go deeper, to make sure every person who walks through our doors feels seen and cared for. That doesn’t happen by accident. That is a reflection of both who he is and what we’ve built together as a community.

Over the years, it is not one single moment that defines his impact, but the consistency of the relationships he has built. He still hears from athletes he coached years ago who are now in college, texting him when they are back in town to train or just catch up. He has clients who have been with him for over a decade, relationships that have evolved into genuine friendships. That level of trust and longevity is rare, and it speaks volumes about the kind of coach and human he is.

From a coaching perspective, Marquis brings a level of confidence and competence that allows clients to feel safe pushing their limits. His background in anatomy and his experience working around injuries give people the ability to move, train, and explore what their bodies are capable of without fear. But what matters even more to him is how people feel along the way. He wants to be known as a coach who leads with compassion and empathy. He understands that while results matter, the journey is where real change happens. The willingness to do hard things, to build new behaviors, to move through discomfort, and to come out stronger on the other side is what he values most.

What has been especially meaningful for me to witness recently is his growth into leadership. He talks about how his role is evolving, how he is becoming a mentor not just to clients but also to the next generation of Momentum coaches.

That shift matters. It means his impact is no longer limited to the people he works with directly, but extends through the team and into every client experience we create. He is helping shape the future of this business in a way that aligns deeply with our values.

When I look at Marquis, I see someone who has grown with us, someone who has poured into this place as much as it has poured into him. I see loyalty, care, and a commitment to doing things the right way, even when it is not the easiest way. And I feel incredibly grateful that a chance meeting in 2012 turned into this. I am grateful that he found his way back in 2017. A dinner conversation helped change the course of his path. And that I have been able to stand alongside him not just as a colleague, but as someone who has become part of my extended family.

This is what Momentum is about. It is about people. It is about relationships. It is about showing up for each other inside and outside of the gym. And Marquis Edwards embodies that in every way.

-Marie

Marquis Edwards BS, CSCS, LMT, ART

04/24/2026

I didn’t just meet Klodi when he came on as a trainer. I met him in 2012, when he was finishing his undergrad and helping me with JJVA and the strength and conditioning program we were running at the time. He was young and hungry, but what stood out most was the way he connected with people. You could tell right away that he cared. Not in a surface-level way, but in a way that showed up in how he coached, how he listened, and how he carried himself.

When he officially joined Momentum in 2015, I already knew who he was at his core. What I didn’t know was how much life we would both live over the next decade together. I remember him before he was married. I remember when he met his wife. I’ve watched him build a beautiful family, and I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow into the man, coach, and leader he is today. Somewhere along the way, the relationship shifted, and he became more than just part of the team. He became family.

That’s not something I say lightly. When I say my team is my family, I mean it. I care deeply about each one of them. I want them to succeed, to grow, to feel supported, and to know that I have their backs. Klodi has been that kind of person right back to me. That kind of mutual respect and trust is not something you can force. It is built over time, through consistency, through showing up, and through navigating both the highs and the hard moments together.

When I asked him what being part of Momentum means to him, his answer stayed with me. He said, “I’ve been blessed with so much in my life. I have a family that loves me deeply… and every morning, as I quietly slip out while they sleep, I head to another blessing, a calling that never feels like work because of the incredible people who surround me.” And then he said something simple, but powerful. “It means everything. It means I’m home.”

That is not something you can manufacture. It is not something you can write into a mission statement. It is something that gets built over years of shared experiences, trust, and care. Klodi brings that into this place every single day. He is an incredible coach. He is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and intentional in everything he does. What makes him special goes beyond that. He is goofy, big-hearted, and able to make people feel comfortable almost immediately. There is a presence about him that puts people at ease, and that matters more than most people realize.

People do not just need a good program. They need someone who is actually in it with them. Klodi said it best when he shared, “While clients come to me for my expertise, I often find myself learning just as much from them, especially about life.” That is how he shows up. Not above people, but alongside them. Not just coaching, but connecting.

When he talked about the moments that have stuck with him over the years, it was not about numbers or milestones in the traditional sense. It was about the moments we celebrate together. “The phone calls, the text messages, the pictures… clients sharing that they’ve achieved something they once thought was out of reach.” Those are the moments that stay with him, and those are the moments he helps create every single day.

When I asked him how he impacts the experience our clients have, his answer was simple. “I’m genuinely happy to be here, and that energy carries over.” And it does. You can feel it when you walk in. You can feel it in how he coaches, how he interacts, and how he shows up consistently for the people around him.

When I asked him who he is becoming through all of this, his answer told me everything I need to know. “I’m constantly growing into a better version of myself, and my desire to see my team succeed is what fuels that growth every single day.” That is Klodi. He is always growing, always giving, and always thinking about the people around him.

Klodi, I am incredibly grateful for you. For who you were when I met you, for who you’ve become, and for the role you’ve played in building what Momentum is today. This one is personal for me, and if you’ve worked with him, you understand exactly why.

– Marie


As I think about Klodi and the impact he’s had, I’m reminded that so much of what we do lives in the relationships and experiences you have here. If you’ve worked with him or any of our team, and this place has made a difference in your life, sharing that matters more than you might realize. Your words help other people find a place like this when they need it most. If you feel called to, we would be incredibly grateful if you took a minute to leave a review and share your experience.

2 likes. "Klodjan Muskaj MS, CSCS"

04/23/2026

Walk, Jog, Run, or any of the combination for a great cause this September! Early bird pricing ends in 7 days so sign up today and mark your calendars! All profits will be given to the Betty Griffin Center and all of their hard work and support within our community! DM or comment “5K” and we can send you the direct link to signup. 🏃‍♀️

04/23/2026

This month, Momentum Fit turned 21.

When I sat down to think about how I wanted to honor that… I didn’t think about programs or milestones or numbers. I thought about people. The people who have walked through our doors. The people who have trusted us. And the people who have chosen to build this alongside me. I couldn't do it without them.

There’s one person I knew I wanted to start with... Cathy Smallwood

Cathy has been with me for 17 years. Seventeen years of early mornings, long days, conversations, laughter, growth… and a whole lot of life in between.

When she first started, neither of us knew what Momentum would become. And she certainly didn’t know, as she put it, that “this would most likely be my last stop before retirement.”

Somewhere along the way, this place became more than a job for her. In her words, “Working at Momentum has become part of my identity.” That is a huge compliment for me as the founder, and if you know Cathy, that makes complete sense.

She has been here through just about every chapter of this business. She joined me after I expanded the first time. I went from a single unit in the back of the business park to two units at the end of the building we are in now. She has seen and been part of the growth. She was part of Momentum's expansion. She stood beside me when I opened a second location… and she stood beside me when I made the difficult decision to close it.

She has helped paint walls, been part of buildouts, cleaned before I could afford to pay a cleaning company, shown up for and hosted events, and stepped in wherever she was needed. Not because she had to, but because she cares. Through all of that, she has done what she joined the team to do… she has coached. She is an amazing coach.

Day in and day out, she pours into the people in front of her. She told me that over the years, she’s watched “so many wonderful clients come through our doors, each with their own goals, struggles, and stories.” And she hasn’t just coached them. She’s built relationships with them. “I’ve developed many close relationships and friendships,” she said, “not only with my coworkers but clients as well.”

That’s Cathy. She builds relationships.

What makes Momentum different isn’t just what we do. It’s how we do it. And Cathy put words to that better than I ever could. “The care that is taken in our clients is more than superficial,” she said. “It doesn’t just exist for the time that you’re training… we develop true relationships with our clients and care that goes beyond our gym doors.”

If you’ve ever trained with her, you’ve felt that.

She has a way of making people feel comfortable immediately. Especially in a group setting where everyone is coming in at a different level. She creates an environment that is welcoming, engaging, and accepting. Where people feel like they belong.

And … she brings a lot of energy to the room.

Her words were, “I am NOTHING, if not FUN.”

If you’ve ever been in one of her 6 AM groups, you know that’s not an exaggeration. Music trivia before the sun is up. Laughing in between sets. That kind of energy that makes people want to come back.

When I asked her what she wants to be known for as a coach, she said one word. “Genuine.” Her goal is for every client to feel like she is truly “in it” with them. Helping them see their potential, coaching them through obstacles, and celebrating their wins both inside and outside of the gym.

And that’s exactly who she is.

Seventeen years of showing up.
Seventeen years of building relationships.
Seventeen years of doing the work, even when no one is watching.

Cathy, I am so grateful for you. For your loyalty. For your heart.

For the way you’ve supported me, this team, and every single client who has had the opportunity to work with you. You are a huge part of what Momentum is today.

To our clients… if you’ve trained with Cathy, you already know.

This is just the beginning of the stories we’ll be sharing this month.

- Marie

As I think about Cathy and the kind of relationships she’s built here over the last 17 years, I’m reminded that this is how Momentum has grown.

Not through ads or big campaigns, but through people.

Through someone inviting a friend.
Through a conversation that starts with, “You should come with me.”
Through people wanting others in their lives to feel what they’ve felt here.

So if there’s someone who’s been on your mind while reading this… someone you know would benefit from having a place like this, from being supported, from feeling more like themselves again… bring them in with you.

Let them see it. Let them experience it.

We’ll take care of the rest, and we’re happy to give them a full week to get a feel for it.

That’s always been the best way to understand what we do.

1 like, 2 comments. "Get to Know Momentum Fit Trainer Cathy Smallwood"

04/22/2026

Take our clients' word for it. If you want to start your journey to better health and wellness, text 904-906-9093 and we can get started!

04/22/2026

We have space available in our Saturday Group - 9 & 10 AM - Mackenzie is teaching!

If you are interested in trying a group, let us know, and we can put you in.

Personal Training made for you. Even our small group training takes you into consideration and our programs are designed to get you results.

04/22/2026

Save the date for a meaningful beach day!

Join us for the inaugural Miles That Matter 5K, organized by Momentum Fit Incorporated, benefiting the Betty Griffin Center. The event will kick off at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19th, at the Seawalk Pavilion, located at 75 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach.

Participate in a 5K run/walk on the beach and support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Sign up today at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/JacksonvilleBeach/MomentumMilesThatMatter5k.

04/22/2026

I was previously training at a gym that was more group fitness oriented, and the training often lacked attention to proper form. I was coming off rehabbing an ACL tear (not training related) and was looking for a place that would help me meet my fitness and strength training goals focusing on proper form. My wife, Katie, was working out with Cortney and introduced me to Momentum Fit. I tried a couple of workouts with her and was hooked.
Momentum Fit has great people. When I walk into Momentum Fit, everyone makes me feel like I am part of the family. I love that the trainers offer a variety in the workouts and do it with attention to proper form. I also like that they push me to give it my all each time I am in the gym.
I’m proud of showing up on the days I don’t feel like it. Life and busy schedules get in the way of finding time to commit to the workouts and it is easy to not show up. The consistency of being in the gym week to week has probably been the biggest win for me.
Momentum is part of my weekly routine. After leaving Momentum, I feel more energized, have a better mindset, and I feel pushed to have more discipline in other areas of life. That extra energy and mindset makes me feel better about myself and helps me to be a better husband and father.
I’d encourage people who are hesitant to just give it a shot. I would remind them that the first step is the hardest, but it’s also the most important. Also, I would encourage them that Momentum is a place where you’re welcomed as you are.
Momentum is a that makes me a better person. Some of the relationships that I have formed over the years are meaningful and it is nice to have someone lend an ear when you are walking through life’s challenges. For these reasons, I am grateful to train at Momentum Fit.
I can’t think of any one specific moment that has been my favorite; it’s an accumulation of fun I have had while working out with my wife and new friends, meaningful conversations about life, and the many laughs we have shared. All of the people at Momentum are great to train with!

04/21/2026

We want to invite you into our community.

At Momentum Fit, we’ve always believed that the right environment changes everything. It’s not just about workouts. It’s about having guidance, structure, accountability, and a group of people who actually care about how you’re doing and where you’re going.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be part of something like that, this is your opportunity to step inside and experience it for yourself.

We’re offering a free first week at Momentum Fit.

You’ll start with a consultation where we take the time to understand your goals, your history, and what you actually need moving forward. From there, you can choose the path that fits you best.

You can go the more personalized route with two private personal training sessions, or you can jump into our small-group training and attend unlimited sessions for the week to experience the energy, structure, and coaching that happens in our studio every day.

There’s no pressure attached to this. It’s simply a chance to come in, meet our team, and see what it feels like to train in an environment designed to support you.

If you’ve been looking for something different, something more intentional, this is a great place to start.

You can grab your spot here
https://kilo.gymleadmachine.com/widget/form/NsfOIsPUR1H19PAHS0A5

We’d love to have you in.

04/18/2026

I had meniscus surgery on my left knee in 2019. I did physical therapy for 6 weeks and was back on the tennis court sporting a fairly large knee brace. But the pain was too great, so I got a PRP and GelOne shot in my knee. That worked for a year or so, as long as I wore the brace on the tennis court, but then I re-injured my knee and was back doing PT and getting the shots. Months later, still struggling with knee pain and frustrated with the PT, my husband suggested I try a different kind of PT. Personal Training. I asked my tennis partner who her trainer was and she told me about Momentum Fit and Marquis.

The first thing Marquis said to me was, “we are going to get rid of the knee brace“. I had been wearing some sort of a device on my knee for decades, so I was doubtful. But through strengthening my knees and, most importantly, the muscles around my knees, I have been brace free for over 3 years.

Partnering with Momentum Fit has been one of the best decisions I have made. The strength and mobility I have gained is remarkable. Thank you Momentum Fit!!

04/17/2026

Momentum is such a special place because it truly feels like family. I’ve never liked working out and never felt confident that I really knew how, but when I walk through the doors at Momentum, I know no one is judging me- I always just feel supported. When I go through phases where I don’t get there to work out as much as I want to, I’m always welcomed back like it’s no big deal. The shame and pressure of some gyms is just not a thing at Momentum. The trainers accept you for who you are and meet you where you are. I had the absolute pleasure of training with Cortney for several years before her role at Momentum changed and that relationship was the reason I kept coming back for a long time. She made working out fun and her consistency and encouragement was a huge factor in helping me overcome the self consciousness I felt with working out. Cortney is not the only person at Momentum who had encouraged me along the way- Marie has helped with nutrition, Marquis gives a mean massage, and Sydney is wonderful as my new personal trainer. Over the years, I’ve been able to train with nearly every trainer at Momentum through private or small group training and I’ve never had a negative experience. I’m not always consistent, but I’m thankful that Momentum is. I don’t know how to effectively express how much I appreciate the atmosphere of caring and acceptance that is so evident from the minute you walk through the doors. Thank you to everyone- from the owners to the trainers to the other people working out alongside me for contributing to the community that is Momentum.