Today we’d like to introduce you to Roshundra McKnight.
Hi Roshundra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I lost my mother, Mary Lou Caldwell, to breast cancer on October 1, 2025, and it was truly heartbreaking. She was not only my mother but also my best friend, and her passing left me in a place of deep grief and, honestly, depression.
In that season, the LORD gave me the vision to start a faith-based Christian business in her honor. That’s how MARY IT: Taking a Vow to Fitness was born. The name MARY IT carries a powerful meaning—making a commitment, taking a vow to Christ. My ministry and mission are to glorify God through fitness, helping clients not only strengthen their bodies but also understand that with Christ, they can do anything.
The “3:11” in my brand represents my mother’s birthday, and it also ties to Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” That scripture anchors my journey and serves as a reminder that even through loss, God brings beauty, purpose, and new beginnings.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working through my grief to birth my business.
As you know, we’re big fans of MARY IT TAKING A VOW TO FITNESS . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business, MARY IT: Taking a Vow to Fitness, is a faith-based fitness ministry created to honor my late mother, Mary Lou Caldwell. What sets us apart is that we don’t just focus on physical health—we focus on the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Our mission is to glorify God through fitness while helping clients understand that with Christ, they can do all things.
We specialize in creating a supportive, Christ-centered environment where clients are encouraged to grow stronger not just physically, but also spiritually. My brand is rooted in commitment—making a vow to Christ—and that’s reflected in the name MARY IT. The “3:11” in my brand connects to my mother’s birthday and Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that MARY IT is more than a business; it’s a movement. It’s a place where fitness meets faith, where clients are motivated to push past limits, and where every workout is a testimony of God’s strength working in us.
I want readers to know that when they come to MARY IT, they’re not just joining a fitness program—they’re stepping into a ministry that equips them to walk in faith, live healthier, and discover the power of Christ in their journey.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Stepping out of your comfort zone is key. You have to be willing to take risks—even if it means losing money now in order to make money in the future. For me, deciding ahead of time what I was willing to count as a gain or a loss has helped me regulate my emotions and ride the ups and downs that come with being a business owner. Networking and finding mentors is about being open, intentional, and not afraid to invest in both relationships and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maryit.fitness/
- Instagram: maryitfitness
- Facebook: Roshundra McKnight
- Twitter: MARY IT FITNESS
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@maryitfitness1957?si=b_hcE1V14tsexU4o
Image Credits
My Father Robert Caldwell
My friends Juan, Meme, Jay, Allison my aunt Barbara and my husband Lance McKnight
