Her Story
About Marilyn
Marilyn Prado brings more than 30 years of professional experience to her role as Studio Manager at Orangetheory Fitness in Gainesville, Florida. Throughout her career she has held leadership positions in retail, hospitality, education, and financial services before returning to the fitness industry. She spent nearly eight years as a senior fitness counselor and three years as a financial center manager prior to her current position. Marilyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in pre-law from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a Master of Arts in history from the University of Texas. She attributes her success to following her heart and living out her purpose, with a consistent focus on inspiring others to achieve dreams they never thought possible. Her values of faith, hope, and love guide her commitment to serving the heart rather than the pocket, and she remains active in her community through past roles such as Chair of the Nature Centers Commission for the City of Gainesville as well as involvement with the Junior League of Gainesville.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marilyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to following my heart and living out my purpose. It took courage to leave a high-paying banking job to return to fitness because I knew God places dreams in our hearts that align with our ultimate purpose. My purpose has always been inspiring people to achieve dreams they never thought possible, whether teaching tumbling or motivating studio members. The same thread runs through every leadership role I have held: starting from the bottom, working to the top, and keeping purpose bigger than the job.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is to follow your dreams no matter how crazy they seem. I wanted to be an Olympian as a child through gymnastics and became a Junior Olympian by age 14. When that goal was achieved early, the next step became inspiring others to achieve their dreams. Following dreams is underrated and we need to do more of it to live in our purpose.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the fitness industry is the mindset that it is not "a real job" or something you do "just for fun" that does not pay the bills. In reality it is an industry that needs strong leaders because almost 80% of Americans will face one of four chronic illnesses by the age of 64. The work gives people the value of their life back and there is real career growth here. It is a real job where we do real work.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are faith, hope, and love, along with serving the heart rather than the pocket. A key scripture from Matthew 6:24 reminds me you cannot serve two masters. When I faced the choice between a lucrative banking leadership role that I didn't align with and following my passion in fitness, I chose to serve my heart and purpose. Christian values guide me to live intentionally in alignment with what God has placed in my heart.
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