Shaking up business

PNT staff writer

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Mike Doerr and Robyn Pease didn’t know what to quite expect when they decided to open SunFit Nutrition in August.

Both had been using Herbalife products for a few months, and saw a need for a place in Portales that offered nutritional products and a community support system to help individuals reach their fitness goals. With a new child joining the family a few months earlier in March, they decided to go for it. In fact, baby Jaysen could be contributed to the reason how it all started.

link Eric Norwood Jr.: PNT photo

SunFit co-owner Mike Doerr whips up two shakes for customers on Tuesday. Doerr co-owns SunFit Nutrition in downtown Portales.

“I gained weight with my pregnancy,” said Robyn Pease, “and I was looking for a way to lose baby weight. Herbalife did that.”

Doerr started taking Herbalife soon after Pease.

“I’ve always taken supplements and stuff because I am an athlete,” Doerr said. “But some of that stuff is nasty. When my friend gave me some of this stuff, I thought it was delicious.”

From the looks of the inside of SunFit Nutrition, Doerr and Pease are getting the people of Portales to agree.

“My favorite is the Greyhound shake,” said Lauren Reed, who along with her friend Mariah Vello, goes to SunFit after they work out each day to get their daily shake and tea.

“I like the Early Bird shake,” said Mariah Vello.

Inside of SunFit, located on West Second Street in downtown Portales, there is a list of customers on a chart with stars next to their names. The customers earn stars by buying drinks, participating in weekly events, and other tasks. The person with the most earns free items, but don’t ask Doerr who’s in the lead right now.

“I’m a week behind on that thing,” said Doerr.

Some weekly events held include Fit Camp, where Doerr and Pease meet with customers early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and work out together. They also hold a Sunday Fun Day 5k event every Sunday, where they walk, jog, run, and bike with a group at the trail located adjacent to the Portales Softball Complex.

“We all get together, we’re active, and we encourage and build the spirit of the active community, every single week,” Doerr said.

Inside of SunFit, customers can get nutritious shakes with many flavors to choose from including, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream and wild berry. Also available are Herbalife teas, which provide many necessary nutrients, according to Doerr.

“It’s the number one protein on the market. It’s not just giving you supplements, it’s giving you the vitamins and nutrients you need in a meal,” Doerr said.

Doerr and Pease offer free wellness evaluations, as well as design health and wellness plans specific to individuals.

“Everybody is different. Some people want to lose weight, some want to gain muscle. We tailor your plan to you,” said Doerr.

In addition to raising a child together, Doerr and Pease do well working together.

“We have complementing characteristics and abilities so it’s cool,” said Pease.

“None of this would be possible without Robyn Pease. The partnership is really, really good,” Doerr said.