When it comes to her passion for fitness, Elizabethtown’s Candice Agee-Reed has an international reach. Agee-Reed’s experience as a fitness trainer dates back to her time with the US Air Force. She works virtually with hundreds of international clients as well as personally with local trainees.
Agee-Reed, a North Hardin High School graduate, said she joined the Air Force a week before her 19th birthday. She joined in 2001, was in active service until 2011, and served in reserve until her retirement in 2017.
Throughout her military career, Agee-Reed said she was stationed in Italy, Oklahoma, and Arizona, and was able to visit countries like Germany, Greece, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Her duties included logistics, public affairs liaison and equal opportunity advisor. Before retiring from active service, she also obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration and human resources in 2011.
During her time with the Air Force, Agee-Reed served as a fitness monitor, a position that deepened her fascination with fitness training and counseling. While living in Arizona, she coached two gyms and ran a small studio at home.
“My approach to training is to meet people where they are and help them get where they want to be,” she said. “Every body is different and I find it beneficial to help people maximize their individual potential. I work with all walks of life and have placed particular emphasis on training women and helping them to recognize their physical and mental strengths. “
In 2009, Agee-Reed began participating in bodybuilding events for women at National Physique Committee shows. Although she said some people who have had children are intimidated by bodybuilding competitions, Agee-Reed, the mother of four, said the competitions make them stronger and continue to inspire them in their fitness goals.
“I’m proud of the body my kids have given me and I work hard to get on stage,” she said. “The process is daunting, but it’s really empowering.”
When Agee-Reed moved her family back to Hardin County in 2017, she brought her passion for fitness with her. She plans to open her own gym in downtown Elizabethtown later this year.
Agee-Reed said the room will be called LYFE, which stands for Love Yourself, Fearless and Endless
“I’ve had this vision for a while and can’t wait to share it with everyone,” she said.
With plans to open a training room next to the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame in downtown Elizabethtown, Agee-Reed said the deal will also include a component called Verde, which will serve as a juicer and kombucha bar.
“We’re working with some great people to bring the space together and open it up to everyone,” she said.
In addition to the work she does through her own fitness training business, Agee-Reed and her husband Michael Reed have also assisted in youth training events at the Mandatory Fun gym in Elizabethtown.
“We look forward to continuing to nurture the growth and development of our youth while building strong bonds with local businesses,” she said.
Outside of the fitness world, Agee-Reed also runs a photo booth business known as Sorriso Photo Camper. With that in mind, Agee-Reed and her family converted a 1978 camper van to be used as a photo booth for weddings, proms, and parties.
At events, the photo box is often accompanied by a backdrop and photo props.
“We had a lot of fun giving our community a smile,” said Agee-Reed.
