CONTENTS
6 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
8 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
10 THANK YOU TO OUR TOP INVESTORS
12 JOPLIN AT A GLANCE
16 WORKWELL MISSOURI - AND JOPLIN
22 McNAB WELLNESS
26 TRAIN GYM
28 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK
33 MEMBER SEARCH
CONTENTS
6 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
8 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
10 THANK YOU TO OUR TOP INVESTORS
12 JOPLIN AT A GLANCE
16 WORKWELL MISSOURI - AND JOPLIN
22 McNAB WELLNESS
26 TRAIN GYM
28 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK
33 MEMBER SEARCH
President’s Message
JOPLIN’S EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
On behalf of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, we appreciate your support of the businesses,
organizations, and people who are doing unique and remarkable things that make our community special.
From entrepreneurs risking their livelihoods to create new products, services, or experiences to
volunteers coming together to fulfill unmet needs and government entities taking steps to enhance
residents’ quality of life. All of these individuals and organizations are working hard to make
Joplin better.
In most cases, your Chamber remains the centralized hub where business and community leaders come
together to make big things happen in our area. Through this Chamber Spotlight publication, we
tell the stories of the dreamers, the makers, and the doers who all contribute to making the Joplin area
become the best version of itself. We thank you for taking just a few moments to learn more about
Joplin’s extraordinary people who are making our community a fantastic place to live, visit, and
do business.
Travis Stephens
President & Chief Executive Officer
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
SEPTEMBER 2024 - NOVEMBER 2024
ACIS IT Solutions
Computer / Networking Products and Services
1950 South Glenstone Avenue, Suite G
Springfield, MO 65804
417.823.7100
Stacey Claypool, Client Success Manager
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Aegis Roofing Pros
Roofing: Commercial & Residential
227 East Sunshine Street
Springfield, MO 64807
417.210.0822
Ashley Cain, Vice President
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Affordable Dentures & Implants
Dentist / Dentures and Implants
1816 South Range Line Road, Suite D
Joplin, MO 64804
417.572.0002
affordabledentures.com/locations/mo/joplin
Ms. Holly Hall, General Manager
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Apex Title
Title and Closing Services
1818 East 4th Street
Joplin, MO 64801
417.388.2766
Ms. Ashley Jacobs, Business Development Rep.
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Bclean Bhealthy Cleaning Services LLC
Cleaning Service - Commercial, Residential, and Lawn Care
Joplin, MO 64804
417.297.2477
bcleanbhealthycleaningservices.com
Angel and Alexandra Martinez, Owners
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Big John’s Heavy Equipment & Rolloff Service
Construction / Heavy Equipment Rental
2401 North Main Street, Suite D
Joplin, MO 64801
417.437.0285
Mr. John Davis, Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Cards Recycling
Residential / Commercial Trash and Recycling Services
3001 Rotary Terrace
Pittsburg, KS 66762
479.435.8639
cardsrecycling.com/residential-services
Brandon Shilling, Outside Sales Representative
Sponsor: Chandler Grace
Cherished Pets Funeral Home and Crematory
Funeral Home and Crematory
2021 West Walnut Lawn Street
Springfield, MO 65807
417.366.7387
Richard Turner, General Manager
Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC
Compassus Hospice
Hospice & Home Health Care
2216 East 32nd Street, Suite 201
Joplin, MO 64801
417.623.8272
Margie Myers, Hospice Services Consultant
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Comparion Insurance - Kerisa Barnard Agency
Auto / Home and Life Insurance
4126 South Cox Road
Springfield, MO 65810
417.850.4041
comparioninsurance.com/insurance-agent/missouri/springfield-0407/kerisa-barnard
Mrs. Kerisa Barnard, Insurance Agent
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Compass Academy Network
Academic Enrichment Services
211 South Main Street
Joplin, MO 64801
417.501.2840
Syeda Greenlee, Regional Director
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Country Financial: Jon-Michael Mathis
Insurance
5309 South Range Line Road
Joplin, MO 64804
417.553.7615
agents.countryfinancial.com/usa/mo/joplin/jon-michael-mathis
Mr. Jon-Michael Mathis, Agency Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Crown Realty
Commercial and Residential Realty
101 West 29th Street
Suite G: 316
Pittsburgh, KS 66762
913.207.7152
Rich Melton, Realtor
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
EaglePicher Technologies
Batteries – Special Purpose
8230 East 23rd Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417.624.3167
Mr. Jay Rheums, VP Aerospace Strategic Business Unit
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Elements Construction Concepts
Construction / Dirt Moving / Outdoor Development
5850 East 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64801
417.553.8463
www.elementsconstructionconcepts.com
Mr. Bo Bennett, Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Empire Roofing and Construction
Roofing and Construction
407 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 207
Joplin, MO 64801
417.483.5310
Scott Blizzard, Business Development Manager
Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC
Flora Farms Joplin
Medical & Recreational Marijuana Dispensary
4027 Richard Joseph Boulevard
Joplin, MO 64804
Matthan Black, Sales & Marketing Director
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Foundations Insurance Group
Insurance: Commercial, Workers Comp., Home, Auto, Life Insurance
100 North Dixieland Road; STE 260
Rogers, AR 72756
417.255.5242
Logan Terry, Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Flying Treasure LLC
Video Production / Advertising Specialist
Joplin, MO 64801
913.915.0408
Mr. Derek Hammeke, Owner
Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC
Forged Waterjet Fabrications
Waterjets / Machining
603 B South Tyler Avenue
Joplin, MO 64801
417.793.5744
facebook.com/joplinforgedwaterjet
Josh and Megan Long, Owners
Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC
Harmony Montessori Academy
Montessori School
2231 Annie Baxter Avenue
Joplin, MO 64804
417.462.6887
Leah Gurley, Owner/Director
Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC
Horner & Shifrin
Engineering & Consulting
3300 South Market Street, Suite 405
Rogers, AR 72758
417.231.7000
Jon Moran, Business Development Professional
Sponsor: Travis Stephens, JACC
Howard Franks Wilson & Associates LLC
Training Program
11300 Executive Center Drive, Suite B
Little Rock, AR 72211
501.224.5000
Ms. LeiLani VanProoyen, Operations Accounting
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
HTeaO
Retail - Specialty Teas
910 South Madison
Webb City, MO 64870
417.434.2564
Nova Fancher, General Manager
Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC
HW Henkle Enterprises, Inc
Henkle’s ACE Hardware
Hardware Store / Garden / Retail for Tumblers & Engraving
1201 South Madison
Webb City, MO 64870
417.673.2112
Mrs. Cris Henkle, Co-Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Insperity
Human Resource Management
1100 Main Street, Suite 2800
Kansas City, MO 64105
417.299.5987
Delaney Yocom, Business Performance Advisor
Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC
Jan-Pro of the Ozarks
Cleaning Service – Commercial
407 South Pennsylvania Avenue
Joplin, MO 64801
417.889.3311
Mr. Paul Hornor, Business Development Representative
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
JL Mobile Truck & Trailer Repair
Roadside Repair Shop
120 North Prigmor Avenue
Joplin, MO 64801
417.438.9461
Justin and Lexi Lucas, Owners
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Johnson Controls Fire Protection
Security / Fire Extinguishers and Protection Systems
2757 South Austin Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
417.883.8985
Chris Bigham, Fire Service Manager
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Joplin 44 Petro
Fuel & Truck Service Center
4240 State Highway 43
P.O. Box 2748
Joplin, MO 64803
417.624.3400
Jason Spindler, General Manager
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Jovial Signature Party Services
Event Planner / Rentals – Party Equipment
1918 East 7th Street
Joplin, MO 64801
417.699.3126
Ms. Jovi Frost, Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Home Improvement – Gutter Protection
1595 Georgetown Road
Hudson, OH 44236
800.727.7703
James Martinez, Events Manager
Sponsor: Stephanie McGrew, JACC
Lendmark Financial
Loans & Financing
2639 East 32nd Street, Suite R
Joplin, MO 64804
417.691.8266
Sarah Reynolds, Branch Manager
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
The Link Family Chiropractic
Chiropractic Adjustments
423 South Main Street
Carthage, MO 64836
417.295.7214
Dr. Kyle Klinginsmith, Chiropractor/Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Live Well Psychotherapy Services of Southwest Missouri
Mental Health Services – Individual Therapy
112 C South Main Street, Suite 12
Joplin, MO 64801
417.203.0413
Mandy Witthuhn, MSW, LCSW – Therapist
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
M & M Audio Inc.
Audio-Visual Equipment – Sales and Service
1301 Illinois Avenue
Joplin, MO 64801
417.680.6515
Mark and Tamara McCoy, Owners
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
MC Swim Coaching, LLC
Swim Coaching / Lessons
Carl Junction, MO 64834
417.499.0504
Ms. Megan Cameron, Owner
Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC
McAlister’s Deli
Restaurant and Catering
2330 South Range Line Road, Suite H
Joplin, MO 64804
417.624.3354
Kirsten Jensen, General Manager
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
National Health Care (NHC) of Joplin
Nursing Home / Rehabilitation
2700 East 34th Street
P.O. Box 2877
Joplin, MO 64803
417.781.1737
Stephanie Jones, Administrator
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
NextEra Energy
Renewable Energy Provider
700 Universe Boulevard
Juno Beach, FL 33408
407.491.8190
Mr. Jarrett Daniels, Lead Community Engagement Manager (East Region and Missouri)
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
NextGen Storage
Storage Facility
548 North Cattleman Drive
Joplin, MO 64801
417.720.2397
Mehl Maigi, Director of Marketing
Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC
NextGen Under 30 Foundation
Non-Profit / Civic Organization
3240 West Britton Road, Suite 101
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
405.607.0930
Donald B. Swift, Founder
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Nothing bundt Cakes #904 Joplin-MO
Bakery
2401 East 32nd Street, Suite 6
Joplin, MO 64804
417.385.1846
Jordan Harvey, Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
O-Gah-Pah Coffee Roaster
Coffee Roasters & Service
2361 South Outer Road
Loma Linda, MO 64804
918.919.6924
https://shop.ogahpahcoffee.com/
Lindsay Hickey, Director of Operations
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
O-Gah-Pah Communications
Marketing: Graphic & Web Design
2341 South Outer Road
Loma Linda, MO
918.238.3188
https://ogahpahcommunications.com/
Barry Linduff, Executive Communications Director
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Ol’ Truck Repair, LLC
Truck, Trailer, and Hydraulic Sales & Service
3741 East 25th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417.624.3995
James and Michelle Yost, Owners
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Rise Up Medical and Wellness, LLC
Medical Spa / Weight Control Services
2431 South Range Line, Suite B
Joplin, MO 64804
417.614.0287
Mrs. Audrey Bosworth, MSN, NP-C
Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC
Silver Sage Renaissance Festival
Entertainment – Art & Culture
P.O. Box 2853
Joplin, 64804
928.910.5774
Jacque Swartout, Festival President
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
State Farm Insurance-Ryan Miller Agency
Insurance: Auto, Home Life, and Health
2311 West 7th Street
Joplin, MO 64801
417.952.4047
https://ryanmillerinsurance.com
Ryan Miller, Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Sunshine Bin Store & Surplus LLC
Retail – Discount
2639 East 32nd Street
Joplin, MO 64804
956.388.0672
Niki French, Owner
Sponsor: Travis Keller, Lamar Outdoor Advertising and Chandler Grace, JACC
TC Lawn & Landscaping
Lawn Care / Landscaping
27616 Fir Road
Carl Junction, MO 64834
417.684.2918
Facebook
Mr. Taylor Chapman, Owner
Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC
Towner Studios
Photography Studio
1027 South Main Street, Suite 404
Joplin, MO 64801
417.438.5573
https://www.towner-studios.com
Makala Towner, Owner
Sponsor: Lauren Hall
Trophy House of Joplin
Engravers / Trophies & Plaques
2601 East 4th Street, Suite D
Joplin, MO 64801
417.624.9338
Kim and Kyle Shafer, Owners
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Twisted H Land Management LLC
Land Management / Development
Seneca, MO 64865
417.529.7050
twistedhlandmanagement.squarespace.com
Mr. Thomas Hamilton, Owner
Sponsor: Chandler Grace, JACC
Woodsonia Real Estate, Inc.
Real Estate Development
20010 Manderson Street, Suite 101
Elkhorn, NE
402.513.9003
Andrew Snyder, President
Sponsor: Travis Stephens, JACC
Thank You To Our Top Investors
WORKWELL MISSOURI - AND JOPLIN
HELPING EMPLOYEES LEAD HAPPIER, HEALTHIER LIVES
Eating healthy and staying physically active are two of the best ways to maintain and improve health,
according to health experts nationwide. Surprisingly, the workplace is a great starting point.
The WorkWell Missouri program is designed to help employers initiate worksite policies and
environmental changes to voluntary health behaviors, nutrition, and physical activity of employees. This
helps to reduce the risks of disease and injury in the workplace. These practices can help people live
happier, healthier, and more energetic lives. By implementing a worksite wellness program, employers can
lower direct costs, such as health care expenditures and worker’s compensation claims, and
indirect costs, such as absenteeism and productivity.
Activities that can be utilized include health education classes, subsidized use of fitness facilities,
and policies that promote healthy behavior. A focus on physical activity, such as stretching or walking
during the day, promotion of eating more fruits and vegetables, tobacco-cessation classes, and
information to promote a better understanding of mental health challenges are top priorities for the
program.
Employers who participate are eligible to receive recognition through the Missouri Worksite Wellness
Award Program through the University of Missouri Extension (MU Extension) in partnership with the
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Recognition is based on the level of
certification reached: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Platinum. Companies achieve these certification levels
by reaching specific milestones and completing requirements. The application for certification is open
from January 1 through September 1 annually, and the application is found on the website
https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/worksite-wellness. Recognition occurs in October at the Missouri
Council for Activity and Nutrition summit.
Kris Drake, Freeman Health System wellness coordinator, has been running the system’s voluntary
employee wellness program – WellBalance – since 2006, although they have had some level of
the program in place since 1999. Freeman modeled their program based on best wellness practices, and the
Missouri WorkWell Toolkit is one of those best practices, according to Drake.
“Freeman has utilized resources such as the WorkWell Toolkit to establish and implement our
program, and we also support local businesses and organizations that want to develop their own
program,” she said. “This gives you evidence-based reliable tools that they can walk through
one step at a time. We can help them. Once those programs are established, then we encourage them to
apply for the WorkWell Award.”
Those companies who receive the award are listed on the website. Freeman Health System has received
certification at the platinum level.
“People work up from the basic bronze level all the way up to platinum,” Drake added.
“To get to the platinum level you really have to be doing things that affect policy change.”
Available to help is the One Joplin Healthy Workforce Team, a collaborative that aims to improve the
community. Through the collaborative, program sharing and facilitating is achieved at the local level.
Wellness Ambassadors are available for businesses to help them through the implementation process of
getting a workplace wellness program started. Additional information about One Joplin can be found at
https://onejoplin.com/get-involved/#tab-health.
There are a variety of benefits to workplace wellness programs in general and WorkWell in particular.
First, the average return on investment for comprehensive, well-run wellness programs is $3 for every $1
invested, with a potential return of $6, according to WorkWell Missouri. Second is recognition.
“The WorkWell Missouri Award is an excellent way to recognize your business for investing in the
well-being of your employees,” Drake said. “In addition to the company listing on the MU
Extension and DHSS websites, companies have an opportunity to connect with a Worksites work group member
in person to receive their award. A certificate of achievement and template for announcing the
distinction is provided. Through the application process, businesses have an opportunity to continually
enhance their program building from a bronze distinction up to a platinum awardee.”
Mental health is an important part of overall health. Megan Saba, wellness coordinator for the City of
Joplin, said, “This year they are adding a whole segment on mental health. Being
WorkWell-certified holds a lot of elements that are really beneficial to any business. It is important
to have good employee health because it improves morale for your company.”
Worksite wellness challenges are a great way to get employees involved and actively participating in
the program. Creating fun ways to engage participation will help employees voluntarily and
enthusiastically get moving. A wealth of information and ideas to facilitate this are available through
the WorkWell Toolkit website. Some examples include: a walk- or bike-to-work program, stair climbing
competition, a “noon walk” program where participants walk a mile during the lunch hour,
tracking foods they eat, volunteering in the community, helping a coworker in need, and many others.
Game challenges can be a fun way to promote health as well as being a great way to foster employee
camaraderie.
Providing incentives such as T-shirts and caps, prizes, paid time off, monthly certificates,
recognition for completing challenges, and healthy snacks can have a motivating effect at getting
employees to enjoy and participate in the program. And there’s no need to wait. The program can be
started anytime and all the resources needed are easily located online via the links provided.
Today is the day that health and safety take the front seat, and together employers and employees can
make tomorrow even better.
The WorkWell Missouri Toolkit has a variety of supportive information on beginning or improving a worksite wellness process and can be found at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/worksite-wellness.
“Being WorkWell-certified holds a lot of elements that are really beneficial to any business. It is important to have good employee health because it improves morale for your company.”
McNAB WELLNESS INVESTING IN YOUR HEALTH SPAN
When Dr. Rob McNab discovered early signs of his own heart-health issues, he faced a choice: continue
along the standard medical path of treatments and medications or reshape his lifestyle and take
control of his health. Choosing the more proactive option changed his life – and ultimately
his career.
Now, as founder of McNab Wellness, he helps patients make similar life-changing choices. In a world of
rushed appointments and quick prescriptions, his practice takes a radically different approach,
empowering people to live healthier, fuller, and longer lives by preventing illness rather than simply
treating it.
“We’re in this balance between our lifestyle and our health,” McNab explained.
“When someone says, ‘I can’t lose weight,’ I tell them everything in their life
is perfectly designed to keep their health right where it is. So the question becomes, ‘What are
you willing to change?’”
McNab practiced as an internist since 2005. After his own health scare at 40, he found lifestyle
adjustments to be profoundly impactful. This led him to become board-certified in lifestyle medicine,
which has since become his focus. He opened McNab Wellness in November 2022.
“I found that lifestyle medicine brought a whole new facet to my skills,” he said.
“Now, I get to help people get off medications rather than putting them on more of
them.”
While most health care solutions are tailored to treat conditions that have already arisen, lifestyle
medicine aims to prevent them from ever occurring.
“Your body wants to be healthy,” McNab said. “A lot of times when that’s not
happening, there’s a toxic or unhealthy component to your lifestyle that’s blocking that.
It’s amazing how many people have the ability to get healthier and get off these
medicines.”
The first step for McNab’s patients is a very personalized assessment that generally takes one to
two hours, a stark contrast from the typical 15 minutes an average person might spend at an appointment
with their primary care physician.
“When I see somebody who is relatively healthy, what I’m trying to do for them is forecast
into the next 30 years,” McNab said. “I’m asking myself, what are their personal
risks, what is their family history, what is their genetic risk? If we make a lifestyle adjustment now,
30 years in the future, you can be as healthy as you want to be. Let’s invest now so that when we
get into those later decades, you can do the things you love.”
McNab wants his patients to experience an increased health span to accompany their longer lifespan.
“Health span describes the phenomenon of deliberately keeping our function as high as we can for
as long as we can,” he said. “The current standard of medicine has all been designed and
focused on increasing how long we live. But the problem that we’ve created is that for the last
ten years, for the vast majority of people, that quality of existence can be really, really
low.”
McNab believes people should enjoy life well into their 90s or even past 100, still riding their bike,
or gardening, or playing with great-grandchildren, or doing whatever brings them purpose.
While the lifestyle medicine approach that McNab prescribes is personalized for each individual
patient, he said three foundational principles always apply: reducing stress, being active, and eating
more natural, healthy, unprocessed foods.
“You do those three things, and you’ll be so far ahead of the pack,” he said.
While McNab does consult with patients who still receive primary care from a different physician, his
model mostly focuses on a holistic, comprehensive approach with his patients. In other words, he becomes
their primary care physician.
McNab Wellness is a direct primary care, with patients paying a monthly fee for unlimited visits. One
great advantage to that model is that rather than having thousands of patients who only get several
minutes of his time once a year – as is the case in most traditional patient-primary care
physician relationships – McNab provides deeply focused care for each individual.
He sees patients of all ages, including those advanced in age who are living their best lives as a
direct result of lifestyle medicine. There is still time, McNab said, for anyone to reap those same
benefits.
“It’s never too early and it’s never too late to start to make healthy lifestyle
choices,” he said.
To learn more about McNab Wellness, visit www.mcnabwellness.com.
“Health span describes the phenomenon of deliberately keeping our function as high as we can for as long as we can.”
TRAIN GYM BRINGING HOLISTIC FITNESS TO JOPLIN
When Mica Dalton returned to Joplin from Kansas City a decade ago, she saw a unique opportunity.
“When we came here, all that was available was a 24-hour gym, the YMCA, and one CrossFit
gym,” Dalton recalled.
With experience in opening and operating a multimillion-dollar gym in Kansas City, Dalton recognized
the potential for a client-centered fitness model that went beyond a typical gym environment. That
vision became TRAIN Gym, a local favorite for both fitness enthusiasts and those seeking lifestyle
coaching.
Celebrating 10 years in business as of August, TRAIN Gym has set itself apart by focusing on more than
just exercise.
“Our business model is centered around the client and producing results and really focusing on
the lifestyle factor,” Dalton said. “Most everybody working with us is involved with a
trainer in some capacity.”
With options tailored to individual goals, TRAIN Gym offers personal training, small group sessions,
and nutrition guidance that aim to transform not just physical health but overall wellness.
The foundation of TRAIN Gym’s approach lies in three key pillars: accountability, nutrition and
fitness.
Accountability: Dalton understands the challenge of staying committed to fitness goals, especially
after the initial excitement fades.
“We see it around New Year’s when everybody’s motivated,” she said. “But
the percentage of people who drop off is astronomical. The key is accountability.”
Trainers at TRAIN Gym are not just instructors – they are motivators who help clients stay on
track and committed to their fitness journey, according to Dalton.
Nutrition: Every trainer at TRAIN Gym has a background in nutrition, whether through certifications or
degrees.
“It’s about helping people weed out all of the misinformation that’s out there
because people are just generally confused,” Dalton said.
Nutrition coaching at TRAIN Gym avoids one-size-fits-all solutions, instead tailoring advice to each
client’s specific needs and lifestyle.
“The answer isn’t just to eat less and work out more,” Dalton said. “It’s
about finding what works for your body and what environmental factors are affecting you.”
Fitness: For Dalton, consistent strength training and movement form the foundation of long-term health.
“There’s a lot of studies showing that people who strength-train three times a week and
walk regularly are 60 percent more successful in their fitness goals,” Dalton said.
This scientific backing informs TRAIN Gym’s programs, encouraging clients to build sustainable
fitness habits.
Beyond the personalized training sessions, TRAIN Gym has developed an app that provides clients with
access to individual workouts, demonstration videos, and progress tracking, making it easier than ever
to stay on course.
Beginning in January 2025, the app will be available to non-local members who want to be a part of the
TRAIN Gym community but who can’t access the physical Joplin location. Dalton said this provides a
growth opportunity, allowing her trainers to build a sustainable career by accessing more prospective
clients. Dalton said her team works to make fitness available and engaging for all, whether through
in-person training or virtual programs.
Dalton also plans to partner with Joplin employers that are interested in providing a fitness benefit
to their employees. This shift will allow companies that want to promote health options to offer
benefits to their teams, providing TRAIN Gym’s facilities along with app access to support
healthier lifestyles in their workplaces.
For Dalton, TRAIN Gym is not just a business – it is a way to contribute to the health and
wellness of her community. From weight loss and muscle gain to mental resilience and sports training,
TRAIN Gym’s holistic approach is empowering clients to reach their full potential.
“We want to help people,” Dalton said. “At the end of the day, what it comes down to
is your own self value.”
To learn more about Train Gym, visit www.trainptm.com.
“The answer isn’t just to eat less and work out more. It’s about finding what works for your body and what environmental factors are affecting you.”
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK CONNECTING PROFESSIONALLY, BUILDING COMMUNITY
Launching your career can be intimidating, especially when you are new to networking or a community.
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a program of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce that aims to
make this transition a little easier.
YPN creates inclusive spaces and networking opportunities while promoting the personal and professional
development of Chamber members who are under the age of 45. The program facilitates activities that
allow young professionals to enhance their connections and to get plugged into the Joplin business
community.
“Whether you are a newcomer to Joplin or a seasoned professional, YPN offers something for
everyone,” says Dana Pim, electronic services specialist at Southwest Missouri Bank.
Networking opportunities are one of the main reasons that Chamber members get involved with YPN. The
executive committee of YPN, made up of young professionals from various industries across the area,
collaborates to create opportunities for members to forge and cultivate relationships with their peers.
Their goal is to create a community that individuals can rely on as they advance in their careers.
“I love to be a collaborator and be a connector,” says Tom Furrh, branch director of
FosterAdopt Connect, Inc. and YPN executive committee member. “You have to create things in order
to serve those around you. If you’re not happy with what’s available, you really owe an
obligation to step up and make a change for others.”
YPN connection events include Quarterly Speed Networking, where members are given pre-written questions
and talking points before participating in one-on-one networking “speed rounds” that last
one to three minutes depending on event attendance. This structured, fast-paced function allows
participants to make the maximum number of connections in a short time span and is typically followed by
a social hour so that members have an opportunity to expand on their conversations.
Weekly Hungry Young Professionals Eating (HYPE) Lunches are another informal, fun way for young
professionals to get to know each other in a relaxed setting. Young professionals meet at various local
restaurants each week where they casually network over lunch.
Aside from networking opportunities, YPN also focuses on giving back to the community through Chamber
Gives Back. This work group is a coordinated effort led by members of the YPN executive committee, but
the work group and volunteer opportunities are open to all Chamber members. The group collaborates with
local nonprofits to organize monthly service projects that assist the community, such as packing weekend
snack bags for local students in need.
“YP ” explained Luke Gibson, commercial specialist with The Glenn Group.
The final aspect of YPN’s focus is personal and professional development, which is highlighted in
their signature event, The Young Professionals Summit. This one-day conference is tailored to provide
insights, skills, and networking opportunities that directly support career growth. All area young
professionals are invited to participate, regardless of industry or Chamber membership.
“Attending the Young Professionals Summit earlier this year truly showed me the potential of this
program,” says Kai Hamilton, workforce development specialist with the Joplin Area Chamber of
Commerce. “The energy and collaboration among members was inspiring, and I could see the positive
impact that we can create together.”
This year’s Summit will be held on Friday, February 7, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at James River
Church in Joplin. Features include networking opportunities, keynote and breakout sessions, and chances
to build stronger connections with other area professionals and the community.
“The Young Professional Network proves that the power of collaborating and connecting with other
young professionals builds lasting relationships and networks that can enhance our careers and
communities,” Hamilton concluded.
To learn more about YPN and their events, visit joplincc.com/community-leadership/young-professionals-network-ypn/
“To be part
of something bigger than yourself, that is making a positive impact in your
community, is one of the greatest opportunities in life, and YPN provides that.”
