What happens when you mix cultural introspection, community-driven fitness, and pandemic-born resilience? You get Gym Party—a wellness program that’s as much about burpees as it is about belonging.
Founded by a first-generation Vietnamese-American, Gym Party is far more than a workout regimen. It’s a safe space. A family. A reminder that self-care can coexist with culture, parenting, business ownership, and everything in between. And through its growing partnership with Kurated Kultura, Gym Party is expanding its mission beyond fitness, into a collective celebration of healing, heritage, and holistic living.
Pandemic Roots: From App Ambitions to Human Connection
When Gym Party was first imagined during the COVID-19 pandemic, it looked wildly different than it does now. The original plan was grand: a bustling virtual wellness app, a digital movement set to redefine at-home fitness. But as the world transitioned out of lockdown, founder Janet Navarrette quickly realized that true growth isn’t always exponential—it’s often personal.
“I had to slow down and focus on the people. One client at a time, making sure they feel seen. That’s where the magic really started to happen.”
Today, Gym Party thrives not on mass enrollment but on meaningful impact. Its clients aren’t just participants—they’re part of a family.
From Cultural Pressure to Self-Love
As a first-generation Vietnamese-American woman, Janet’s wellness journey didn’t start in a gym. It started at home, in a culture that, like many others, emphasized appearance and achievement above emotional well-being.
“All they talked about was how skinny you are, how fat you are, what you should eat, what you should be.”
Gym Party is a direct response to that pressure—a space that reclaims wellness on her own terms. Instead of toxic body standards or impossible expectations, Janet built a community rooted in compassion, laughter, and self-acceptance.
Even the brand name carries meaning. Inspired by her mother’s Vietnamese name (which means “blue”), Janet discovered that a group of blue jays is called a “party.” And just like that, Gym Party was born—a tribute to her roots and a vision for joyful movement.
From Mom to Movement Maker
Starting a business is tough. Doing it in a pandemic? Even tougher. Doing it while becoming a mother? Next level.
Janet openly shares the emotional toll of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship. But instead of hiding her struggles, she made them part of her brand’s ethos.
“I was just honest. With myself, with my clients. And because I was honest, they related. Our community is made of parents and busy professionals—we get each other.”
The transparency became a strength. The community became deeper. Gym Party became more than a business—it became a refuge for real people navigating real life.
Defining Community
So what does community actually look like at Gym Party?
It’s sweaty classes and high-fives. It’s vulnerability and laughter. It’s Slack threads where members organize to help one another move furniture when someone’s injured.
“There’s something about struggling through burpees together that bonds people,” Janet laughs. “And then it becomes, ‘How are your kids?’ ‘What movie are you watching?’ The connections grow naturally.”
That environment didn’t happen by accident—it’s been nurtured. Janet makes it a point to go deeper, ask questions, and ensure new members feel welcome. At Gym Party, everyone’s got your back—both in the workout and in life.
AAPI Representation and the Power of Collaboration
Gym Party isn’t overtly cultural in every detail, but it is shaped by her identity and her values. That’s why she’s intentional about collaborating with other AAPI and minority-owned businesses.
One of those collaborators is Kurated Kultura, founded by Alexa. Their partnership began with shared values and a history of mutual respect—and it’s now blossoming into co-created events focused on wellness and community.
“We just vibed. We both have nine-to-fives, both moms, both trying to make something bigger. We just said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
This May, Gym Party and Kurated Kultura will launch a wellness popup in honor of AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month—a merging of movement, mindfulness, and cultural pride.
Behind the Scenes: The Many Hats of a Founder
It might look effortless from the outside, but Gym Party is powered by a whole lot of late nights, multitasking, and meticulous planning.
“People think I just write workouts and show up to teach. But I’m constantly learning, balancing, and evolving.”
From writing workouts to designing welcome kits, creating Instagram content, researching fitness trends, coordinating corporate events, and staying on top of taxes—Janet does a lot of this with the help of her husband, and she does it with love.
Even small touches, like using sustainable materials in welcome boxes, are done with care and consciousness.
Final Thoughts from Janet
“I’ve learned to focus on what I can do, not what I can’t. To be honest, to be present, and to show up with joy. That’s what Gym Party is about. That’s what community looks like to me.”
Want to Join the Party?
If you’re looking for a community-driven, no-judgment, joyful fitness space that gets it—you just found it.
Follow Gym Party here:
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Instagram: @gymparty_
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Website: https://www.gymparty.com/
And stay tuned for tomorrow's AAPI x Mental Health Wellness Popup: Auntie's Wellness Market —because when wellness is rooted in culture, care, and connection, everybody wins.
