GREEN COVE SPRINGS - K.J. Papuga spent the better part of her 20s in offices with a few different specialties until one day a cohort asked her at a corporate fitness facility to teach her a little about strength training and conditioning.
"I graduated from Florida State University, got a degree in marketing, worked a few HR jobs and inside sales and was just not happy," said Papuga, now 32, and co-owner of River Strong Fitness in south Green Cove Springs off Leonard Taylor Boulevard. "One day, a few of my partners were asking me about fitness, conditioning and weight training and something clicked."

For Papuga, a muscularly shredded former Fleming Island High School (2011) soccer and cross country athlete, the idea of getting into a teaching role in her "safe" place, the gym, was a little too inviting to stay in her corporate office.
"Plain and simple, I quit the office gig about 2017, 2018, got certified in fitness training and began with just personal fitness sessions and a few local gyms," said Papuga, who has a family of athletes with brother soccer players; Matt and Zack, and even fit parents. "I would say I've not been a girl's girl, but like to be in the gym, lifting weights and learned to like teaching other people to love it."
A few years later, with a capital investment and some lucky moves around local gyms, Papuga got from Pearson Gym in Fruit Cove to River Strong Fitness in Green Cove Springs via a good rent price and her own drive.
"The building was here and the price was right," said Papuga. "I had saved up some money and have taken the next step."
Papuga's long term goal, with her increasing clientele including a variety of athletes off many degrees of athleticism has a unique "women" connection.
"I seem to be connected with the women and the 40 and over customer that is wanting to change their lifestyle," said Papuga, who was not alone in her gym when this interview took place with her three cohorts; Brozer (we call him Bro), a huge Great Dane; Dolly, a very loud Jack Russell and a subdued Australian Shepard, Maverick. "They are my kids for now and they are my assistants. They walk around and lend a hand when they can. We have a lot of customers that now bring treats to them and it makes it very relaxed. I think we are the most dog friendly gym in north Florida."


For now, Papuga is content on building her clientele while offering very specific workout routines for her people.
"I try not to be intimidating to my new people as I look like what I look like, but I talk to them, see where they are and then we build a program," said Papuga, who also has a boxing bag hitting section of her gym. "We do a lot of small group training and personal training; more individualized. I try to create their plan."
River Strong Fitness has options for every level of training running from monthly subscriptions to long term commits to improve overall fitness.
"The whole reason for this is to help as many people as I can," said Papuga, who was waiting for a 71 year old lady client as this interview took place. "My life before was not fulfilling and this brings everything to a better place. I can see the difference fitness makes with people. I hope I am empowering people."
River Strong Fitness has an Instagram page for those inspired and interested.