When Chris Winder stepped off the baseball field for the last time, he didn’t expect his next big win to happen inside a gym. But today, the former pro athlete and founder of TrainersLab is swinging for the fences in a different arena—one where personal bests, perseverance, and purpose define the scoreboard.
“Injuries were really what started it all,” Winder says, reflecting on the turning point that reshaped his future. “During my baseball career, I worked with some amazing athletic trainers. They inspired me, and that stuck with me. In the off-seasons, I started studying exercise science and working part-time in a gym—not really knowing what was next, but knowing I liked helping people.”
What began as curiosity soon evolved into a calling. The more Winder trained, coached, and encouraged others, the more he realized fitness was his new playing field. “Helping people hit goals they didn’t think were possible—that’s where the idea for TrainersLab came from,” he explains. “I wanted to create a place where people could feel empowered, strong, and capable of achieving things they never thought possible.”
Winder’s approach to training is rooted in lessons learned over years on the diamond. “Baseball taught me that smart training beats hard training every time,” he says. “A lot of people don’t love working out—it’s tough, it burns, you get sore. But if you make it focused, consistent, and goal-oriented, it changes everything. That’s what we bring into the gym every day.”
At TrainersLab, it's not about generic routines or one-size-fits-all plans. The core of the business is one-on-one coaching, tailored to the individual. “There’s a real need for that here in Mt. Juliet,” Winder says. “We meet people where they are, and design programs that actually make sense for their lifestyle, goals, and fitness level.”
That personalized, relationship-driven approach has helped TrainersLab become more than just another gym—it’s a true community hub where transformation happens daily.
“Mt. Juliet has been awesome,” Winder adds. “It’s tight-knit, supportive, and really values connection. We’ve built a culture that reflects that. People walk in and feel comfortable, seen, and supported—but they’re also pushed to grow. And when they commit, the results speak for themselves.”
Before Mt. Juliet, Winder launched his first location in Hilton Head, South Carolina. But Nashville was always the long-term vision. “This is home for my family,” he explains. “Mt. Juliet felt like the right fit to build something sustainable—and to serve as the model for what we plan to expand.”
And expansion is already in motion. Winder’s big-picture goal is to empower passionate, hard-working trainers to open their own TrainersLab locations using the Mt. Juliet site as the blueprint. “Helping people has always been the goal—whether it’s clients or coaches,” he says. “We’re building something that gives both a chance to thrive.”
That mission also includes a strong focus on youth development. “We love working with young athletes,” Winder says. “Many of our trainers come from competitive sports backgrounds, so we know what it takes to level up. Whether a kid wants to make varsity or dreams of going pro, we create programs tailored to their sport, body, and goals. It’s powerful to see them build strength, confidence, and discipline.”
Looking ahead, Winder is excited to keep growing TrainersLab’s impact—one location, one trainer, and one client at a time.
“Success is a team effort,” he says. “I’ve lived that on the field, and now I’m living it in the gym. TrainersLab is all about unlocking potential—in everyone.”