Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Hughes.
Hi Jill, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My CrossFit journey started in a way I never expected. Growing up, I was always active—competitive cheerleading, dance, and most of all horseback riding, specifically Eventing. After getting married and starting a family, my priorities shifted. Like many moms, I stopped making time for myself, struggled with body image, and found myself wanting to lose weight but not knowing where to start. In 2012, two years after having my first child, Graham, I learned I had two holes in my heart that required surgery. Before the procedure, I couldn’t walk across a room without getting short of breath, and at one point I was even told I was close to needing a heart transplant. After surgery, I was told, “You’re fixed now,” and that moment changed everything.
In 2014, Jason and I were introduced to CrossFit as a way to get back in shape and we were instantly hooked. For me, CrossFit became the ultimate test of what my body was capable of. Going from heart surgery to completing some of the most grueling workouts feeling strong and healthy was life-changing. I didn’t just lose weight; I gained confidence, strength, and a belief that hard work truly pays off. That turning point is something I believe everyone deserves.
The Story behind our affiliate name: We’re horse people at heart. Jason grew up a rodeo cowboy, and I’m was an English eventer. We live on 55 acres in Decatur, Texas, surrounded by trees and open space. Horses and long competition weekends were our life. When the CrossFit gym we were members of closed in 2018, we built a shop on our property and started working out at home. Slowly, friends joined us. By January 2019, we took a leap of faith and opened Saddle Up CrossFit to the community. We may not be the biggest or fanciest gym in Wise County, but we have built the strongest family, and that’s what matters most to us.
As the gym grew, so did my passion for coaching and education. I earned my CrossFit Level 2 certification, completed CrossFit Gymnastics training, and in 2021 Jason and I became Nutrition Coaches through Healthy Steps Nutrition. As a nurse with ER and ICU experience, I had seen firsthand how powerful nutrition can be. The HSN mentorship ignited a new passion for helping people through fitness, nutrition, and accountability. In 2022, I joined Healthy Steps Nutrition staff, helping coach and mentor future nutrition coaches—a role that allowed me to step away from nursing and fully focus on growing Saddle Up CrossFit and our nutrition program.
Today, Jason and I are proud co-owners of Saddle Up CrossFit. Our mission is simple: help people become the best version of themselves. CrossFit gave me my turning point, and now it’s an honor to help create that same opportunity for others—one workout, one habit, and one small beginning at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any small business, there have been plenty of ups and downs. About a year after we opened, COVID hit, and we were forced to shut down in-person classes for nearly three months. That was a scary and uncertain time, especially as a young gym. We had to pivot quickly, lean on our community, and trust the process. Thankfully, we were able to recover and bounce back stronger than we expected.
Another challenge early on was space. We started out in a very small facility—about 900 square feet—which limited class sizes and how much we could grow our membership. We made it work, but growth was slow and required a lot of creativity and patience.
In March of 2023, we moved into a larger building, and that was a huge turning point for us. The additional space allowed us to run bigger classes, serve more members, and grow more consistently. Every challenge along the way has taught us resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community—and those lessons have shaped the gym into what it is today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Saddle Up CrossFit is more than just a gym—it’s a community built around faith, family, fitness, and fun. We are a CrossFit gym that specializes in small-group training, which allows us to truly coach our members instead of just running classes. Whether someone is a highly competitive athlete, brand new to fitness, or a grandma simply wanting to stay strong and healthy, we meet people exactly where they are. All levels are genuinely welcome here, and the only competition is with yourself.
In addition to adult classes, we run a thriving CrossFit Kids program that focuses on building confidence, coordination, and a love for movement at a young age. We’re also proud to offer nutrition coaching with three certified nutrition coaches on staff. Our nutrition program is habit-based and realistic, helping people create sustainable, healthy habits that fit into real life—not quick fixes or extreme plans.
What truly sets us apart is our community and our faith. We are a strong, faith-based gym and aren’t afraid to share what God has done in our lives and how that foundation shapes our business. Our values—faith, family, fitness, and fun—guide everything we do. From the coaching floor to our kids’ program to our nutrition services, our goal is for every person who walks through our doors to feel seen, supported, and encouraged.
Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is the culture we’ve built. We want Saddle Up CrossFit to be the best hour of our members’ day—a place where people work hard, laugh often, grow stronger inside and out, and leave better than they arrived. We’re not the biggest or flashiest gym, but we have a big heart, a strong family, and a genuine passion for helping people become the healthiest version of themselves.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice is simple: just do it. You don’t need to be fit to start CrossFit—that’s one of the biggest misconceptions out there. CrossFit is meant to get you fit, not require fitness upfront.
I also wish I had known early on how important it is to find the right gym and community. A good gym will meet you exactly where you are, scale workouts to your ability, and support you every step of the way. You should never feel intimidated, left behind, or “not good enough” to walk through the door.
Consistency matters far more than perfection. Show up, be willing to learn, and trust the process. Progress comes faster than you think when you’re surrounded by people who genuinely want to see you succeed—and that’s exactly what we strive to provide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saddleupcrossfit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saddleupcrossfit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saddleupcrossfit/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIx6i5atRiNpvY9XIBjbozQ
Image Credits
Hayli Wells Photography
Hannah Speight with Golden Hour Texas Photography
