Meet Shelita White-Russ | Owner and Lead Instructor of the Haus of Innergy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelita White-Russ and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelita, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Before you start on any business journey or journey in general, you have to ensure that your will is aligned to God’s will. If God gives you the vision, you have to trust that He’ll give you provision. It doesn’t matter what your circumstances look like. That’s where faith steps in. When you’re walking hand in hand with God, giving up is not an option. When your circumstances seem dire, it’s up to you to remember the vision that God has given you. He won’t let you fall. You have to keep going. If you determine that you aren’t doing the will of God, then ask God to show you what’s next in His plan. He will direct you.

During my hard times, I remember the vision that God gave me years ago. I remember the people He said we would help. I remember His promises. If the promises haven’t come to fruition, I know that there is still more work to do. I often remind myself not to give up before the miracle happens.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Who are We?

At the Haus of Innergy, we believe that all bodies are made for fitness. Our indoor cycling, HIIT Camp and Step workouts are designed to cater to beginners, immediate, and advanced levels of fitness. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, we can meet you where you are!

We take pride in helping you reach your fitness goals. Whether it’s to tone up or lose weight, our intense, high energy workouts, coupled with nutrition counseling provides the right mix of fitness and nutrition to help reach your goals. We aim to change the way you look at fitness and yourself as a whole. We believe that change starts within you before you ever see it in your body. Fitness is not a shape nor size, it is being and operating at our best selves and living our healthiest lifestyle. We provide an all-inclusive environment that enables you to enjoy fitness while working on their best selves.

Haus of Innergy History
As with any new concept, Haus of Innergy started as an idea. I was teaching indoor cycle for a well-known franchise. I would meet students day after day that wanted a transformation, but quickly realized that it wasn’t a physical transformation that they needed, but an internal one. I had learned all too well about the struggles of transformation in my own life. I had learned that no physical transformation could begin until you could identify the very root of your issues internally. I decided to make my cycle room a safe space where I often spoke affirmations and confirmations over my students. I started exuding the innergy needed to keep them focused and motivated. The innergy would spread like wildfire. From those flames, the concept of Haus of Innergy emerged in February of 2019.

During the spring of 2020, covid became a household name and shut down many institutions including the gyms. I, like many others, was put on furlough for quite some time. I started teaching indoor cycling to a few students online to provide a welcome distraction from the pandemic. I realized that people were still in need of transformation and healing especially during the pandemic. On September 24, 2020, I took a leap of faith and resigned from the big box gym. On September 28, 2020, Haus of Innergy held its first mobile cycle class outside at Meyer’s Park in Spring, TX. Houston weather always makes life a bit more challenging. As a mobile studio, we were having to navigate rain and extreme heat. We were gifted the opportunity to teach our cycle classes indoors at Xtreme Fitness, Shaped by Kayla G, and All Fitness U. These trainers gave us the opportunity to continue teaching and building our Haus of Innergy communities. I will forever be grateful to them.

In August 2021, I opened my first brick and mortar indoor cycle studio in North Houston. In January 2022, we added boot camps to our studio. In January 2023, we added X-treme Hip Hop step to our list of services.

Haus of Innergy is different because we aren’t just about transforming our clients physically.  We aim to transform your mind and spirit, too.

Setbacks and Challenges
Last year I entered into a business arrangement that hurt my business instead of helped it. Honestly,  it almost could’ve shut me down.  But God.  For the last 6 months I’ve been in the process of rebuilding and rebranding my business to be better than it was when I started it.  It’s restoring nicely. As with any new business, our greatest challenge has been marketing. How do we get the word out? How do we tell the masses about our great business and product? I can’t begin to tell you how much money we’ve spent on marketing and trying to gain new clients. It’s always a lesson for us. One thing I’ve learned, as that we never lose, we just gain knowledge on what to do and what not to do. The fitness business is inherently difficult to manage. It ebbs and flows. There’s months where you do amazing and there are months where you barely get by. I’ve learned you can’t panic. You just have to manage your resources wisely.

Lessons I’ve Learned
Through it all, I’ve learned so much. Most importantly, I’ve learned the importance of having an amazing team of people around me. I’ve learned that I can’t do it alone. God will send help along the way. It’s up to you to take Him up on it. Use discernment so that you know who was truly sent to you. I’ve also learned not to worry about my own ability or lack of. God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. He will give you everything you need when it’s time. Just take the first step and trust Him. He will give you the rest.

Proudest Moment
Despite challenges and setbacks, we are still here. My proudest moment was signing my lease renewal. I couldn’t believe that the Haus of Innergy Fitness Center has been doing this work 4 years! It was another leap of faith letting God know that I’m still in this and willing and ready to do the work that He has for me.

What the World needs to know
Despite its humble beginnings, challenges, and setbacks the mission is still the same: To transform lives from the inside out. If anyone is looking for a real change, choose the Haus of Innergy Fitness Center. We don’t have to do this life alone. Let us support you on your life’s journey. The workout is just a bonus.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m definitely taking my friend to the Museum of Fine Arts to see the Kehinde Wiley exhibit. It’s amazing and breath taking.

We are going to the Holocaust Museum to see the Kinsey African American Art collection.

If it’s a Thursday night, we are going to Scott Gertner’s Rhythm room so we can see Marium Echo sing.

We are definitely going to Reggae Hut for an escovitch fish and beef patties.

We’d go to Steak 48 for dinner. She’s got to have the creme brulee’ corn. Then we’d stop at Mastro’s for the butter cake.

On Sunday, we’d attend service at St. John’s Downtown to hear Pastor Tiffany Tarrant preach followed by brunch at Taste for some lamb chops.

Last but not least, we’d visit the Haus of Innergy Fitness center to work off all this good food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my support system; RaDonna Russ, Erion Deese and Sonja Lewis. Without them, I couldn’t continue the work that we do at the Haus of Innergy. They selflessly show up day after day pouring into not only the lives of others, but pouring into me as well. When times get tough, they remind me of the ultimate vision. They hold up my arms when I’m tired. They constantly and consistently circle the Haus of Innergy in prayer. They have truly been the breath that keeps us moving and for them I’m forever grateful.

Website: www.hausofinnergy.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hausofinnergy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hausofinnergy

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hausofinnergy3893

Image Credits
Charles and Charles Photography and Cedstover photography