CHICOPEE, Mass.- Living a life healthy for ourselves and for our community. It’s the message behind fitness club owner, Lidya Early’s business, Lid’s Live Well.

“I opened this place not only for fitness,” said Early. “But I wanted a space where we can just empower women, encourage them, and support them.”

Early spent much of her life active in sports and other fitness programs before opening “Lid’s” in 2019.

Gyms faced many challenges during the pandemic, and it forced Early to close a portion of her business for a while.

But she kept the nutrition side open to support her community differently.

“I thought about doing like a pay it forward program,” Early said. “And so what we did is we delivered shakes and teas to first line workers, to the hospitals, first responders, and it got a little bit of traction, and the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce ended up giving our name to a couple of different agencies.”

The agencies, along with referrals from friends, led to donations to Early’s business They allowed her to stay afloat during the pandemic.

As a minority and a teenage mother, Early said, years ago many around her claimed she wouldn’t amount too much. She’s used those words as motivation to build a life she could be proud of.

Her monthly “Work-A-Thon” classes help inspire other women to live healthy.

“I want to make sure that other women understand their power and understand that they can do anything,” said Early. “And you don’t have to be like a victim of your circumstances. You know that no matter what kind of upbringing that you had, you can make something of yourself and your family.”

Early opened a second fitness club in March, and as part of her pay it forward attitude.

Some women who teach in her Saturday classes are co-owners in the new operation.