Unite Fitness Retreat Story

Different By Design

Unite means “To come or bring together for a common purpose or action.”

That definition is not simply where our name came from. It is the story of how Unite Fitness Retreat began—and the philosophy that continues to guide everything we do.

In 2011, a group of experienced fitness and wellness professionals, leaders from the residential weight loss industry, and one very determined entrepreneur came together around a shared belief: The traditional fitness camp and wellness retreat model needed an upgrade. Not a small upgrade. Not a fresh coat of paint or another new smoothie recipe. A real upgrade.

Our founders had spent years working inside live-in fitness camps and weight loss retreats. They had seen what worked, what did not, and what guests truly needed to create meaningful, sustainable change.

They envisioned a program that would be more personal, more comprehensive and more supportive than the one-size-fits-all fitness camps of the past. A place where guests would feel challenged without feeling punished, cared for without being coddled, and empowered with the knowledge and tools to continue progressing long after returning home.

An Award-Winning Idea Takes Shape

The original Unite business concept was developed through the master’s degree Fast Track Program at Westminster University in Salt Lake City. As part of the program, co-founder Drew Paulos transformed the idea into a complete business model. His work earned an award recognizing Unite as one of the best new businesses in the state in 2012.

But Unite was never meant to remain an idea on paper.

Drew joined forces with two experienced fitness leaders who understood the residential fitness and weight loss industry from the inside: Leah Britt and Christina Paulos. Together, they began designing something entirely different.

Three Founders. One Shared Vision.

Leah Britt, a longtime fitness leader who previously worked with Premier Fitness Camp in California, brought extraordinary energy, industry experience and a genuine passion for helping people rediscover what their bodies were capable of achieving. Leah wanted to create a retreat that felt uplifting rather than intimidating—a place where fitness could be challenging, rewarding and genuinely enjoyable.

Christina Paulos, who spent four years working with Real Life Fitness Retreat in Utah, understood what it took to build an organized, results-driven and guest-centered program. She knew Unite needed to offer more than an impressive daily schedule. It needed thoughtful structure, individualized attention and a level of care that allowed every guest to feel seen, supported and understood from the moment they arrived.

Drew Paulos, a Salt Lake City entrepreneur, brought experience in business development, relationship-building and creating exceptional customer experiences. Drew believed Unite should deliver far more than workouts and meal plans. It should provide outstanding service, a safe and welcoming environment, meaningful education, and results guests could realistically maintain after returning home.

The three founders sat down with a pen, a piece of paper and a very big idea: To create a boutique fitness and wellness retreat unlike anything else in the market.

Bringing the Right People Together

The vision was ambitious but clear: build one of the most effective adult fitness and weight loss retreats in the country by combining expert coaching, personal attention, measurable progress and genuine human support.

The program would unite:

Structured fitness and personal training
Sustainable, chef-prepared nutrition
Hiking and outdoor movement
Recovery and restorative wellness
Mindfulness and stress management
Behavioral change and emotional support
Health education and real-world strategies
Scientific assessments and measurable progress
Accountability, connection and community

From there, Unite brought together exceptional professionals from every area of health and wellness, including physicians, NP’s, nutrition experts, chefs, licensed therapists, life coaches, certified personal trainers, hiking guides, yoga instructors, educators and wellness specialists.

Because even from the beginning, we understood that lasting wellness was never simply about eating less and exercising more. If it were that easy, everyone would be thriving—and kale would have solved all of our problems by now.

Leadership Built on Experience

As Unite grew, the program continued to attract experienced professionals who shared the founders’ belief that residential fitness and wellness could—and should—be done better.

Wayne Larsen, Unite’s Program Director, brought extensive leadership and fitness retreat experience to the team. Before joining Unite, Wayne also served as a director at Premier Fitness Camp, giving him a deep understanding of the residential fitness retreat industry and the needs of guests seeking meaningful change. Wayne combines experienced program leadership with hands-on coaching, genuine compassion and an ability to meet guests exactly where they are. He helps ensure that every part of the Unite experience remains organized, challenging, supportive and focused on measurable progress. His leadership reflects what has always made Unite different: experienced professionals working together around one shared purpose—to help every guest become stronger, healthier and more confident.

Wellness Requires More

True transformation requires bringing together every part of a person’s health. It requires physical strength and mental resilience. It requires nourishing food, purposeful movement, restorative recovery and healthier daily habits. It requires education, emotional support, accountability and a realistic plan for life after the retreat.

That is when the name Unite took on an even deeper meaning.

Unite was not only the result of passionate people coming together to create something better. It became our philosophy: uniting the physical, mental, emotional and lifestyle components of health so genuine transformation could take place.

It meant connecting the body and mind. Combining science with compassion. Balancing structure with individualized support. And helping guests create lasting change—not simply temporary progress.

Still Different, More Than 15 Years Later

Today, Unite Fitness Retreat has grown into one of the country’s highest-rated boutique fitness, wellness and weight loss retreats. We have helped thousands of guests improve their health, rebuild their confidence, rediscover their strength and create a more balanced way of living. Our program has evolved. Our team has grown. Our methods continue to be refined through experience, science and a deeper understanding of what creates sustainable results.

But our original purpose has never changed.

We continue to bring together the people, expertise, structure and support our guests need to transform their health—and their future. Unite is different from traditional weight loss camps, fitness resorts and wellness retreats and honestly, we believe that is the whole point.