Meet Pete Mongeau | Owner | Coach | Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pete Mongeau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pete, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk is part of the deal when you’re trying to build something worth doing. But I don’t walk into risk blindly — I respect it. To me, risk means putting in the work, being prepared, and making decisions that have a long‑term payoff, even if they’re challenging in the moment. Opening a gym, hiring staff, expanding… none of it came with guarantees. But every step came from a belief that if I put in the effort and surrounded myself with the right people, the reward — making a difference — was worth it.

That mindset applies to a new initiative I’m launching, Rebuild & Recover, a program specifically designed for people coming out of addiction treatment. Helping people rediscover strength and belonging after rehab, helping them become employable again, this is deeply personal for me. I am currently funding the entire project, to me that’s a risk worth taking. Imagin how many people just lack the confidence after battling addiction only to be turned down for entry level jobs, what if we could restore that confidence, so they walk into their interview with confidence and a position of strength.

Rebuild and Recover with restore that confidence and reduce the high likely hood of relapse that we are seeing today.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is rooted in a very simple but profound belief: that fitness can be a catalyst for rebuilding a person’s life, no matter where they’re starting from.

I am more than a fitness professional, and my fitness facility is not just a gym — its a space where people can rediscover themselves. We blend strength and conditioning with a sense of belonging, accountability, and genuine support. What sets us apart is that we focus just as much on the person as we do the workout. We don’t just count reps, we help rewrite stories.

I’m most proud of the people we serve every day. Our members come from all walks of life, and every one of them has a story. Helping a person walk through the door for the first time, regain their confidence, and build a stronger, healthier life — that’s why I do this.

Getting here wasn’t easy. After years in corporate America, I fell into addiction and lost everything. Recovery was long and humbling, but it was in that process that I discovered my purpose: using fitness as a tool for renewal. Getting back into the fitness space felt like coming home, and it gave me a second chance to build something meaningful.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Stay consistent, stay humble, and never forget why you started. The struggles have shaped this brand just as much as the victories, and every setback has brought clarity and resilience.

Today, we’re growing programs like Rebuild & Recover, a special initiative designed to help those in recovery rediscover strength, belonging, and purpose. We’re also working to build a space where long‑term recovery and lifelong fitness can exist hand‑in‑hand — and we’re looking for like‑minded people and investors who understand the value of helping others build brighter futures.

If I could leave the world with one message about myself and this brand, it’s this: no matter where you’ve been, or how many times you’ve fallen, you can stand up and build a life worth living — one step, one workout, one moment at a time. And we’re here to help every person who chooses to walk that path.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I wouldn’t have to think twice — we’d be heading straight to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I’d have them spend the whole week with me in one of my favorite spots, surrounded by crisp mountain air and some of the best views you’ll ever see. We’d kick things off with a sunrise hike, drinking hot coffee and enjoying the views. During the days, we’d get out on the trails for some hiking, fish in the mountain streams, and spend a day tackling some white‑water rapids for a dose of adrenaline.

In the evenings, it’s all about good company and great meals — cooking delicious steak dinners on the deck, looking out over 100‑mile views of the Blue Ridge. We’d relax and just soak up the stillness that only the mountains can offer.

For me, that’s the best time you can have — a mix of adventure, connection, and a chance to slow down and remember what really matters. It’s a week that resets the soul, and it’s an experience I’d be proud to share with anyone I call a friend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Over the years, I’ve been shaped, supported, and inspired by so many people that it’s hard to thank just one. First and foremost, my wife — she believed in me long before I believed in myself, and she’s the reason I came back to the fitness space after years in corporate America.

To every client who shows up every day with a great attitude, who chooses to walk through our doors and put in the work — you’re the heartbeat of this place. You keep me grounded and constantly remind me why this is the best job in the world.

And to my sister Barbara and her husband Chuck — you’ve been in my corner from the very beginning, even when you had every reason not to be. Without you, none of this would be possible.

It takes a lot of people to make a life worth living and a business worth building. I’m grateful every day for each and every one of you.

Website: https://zanshin.fit

Instagram: pete_mongeau

Facebook: https://facebook.com/zanshinfitness

Image Credits
I own these photos