PF Members Embody Judgement Free Zone
G
etting a good workout in and learning
different exercises to strengthen
specific muscles can be challenging at
times. But thanks to the Judgement Free
Zone® and the compassion Planet Fitness®
members have for those around them,
working out can be fun and a good way to
meet new people.
Derek Medjesky is
among one of the friend-
liest members at the
Pascagoula, Mississippi,
location and seems to
make friends everywhere
he goes.
Derek Medjesky is among one of the
friendliest members at the Pascagoula,
Mississippi, location and seems to make
friends everywhere he goes. Medjesky,
who has special needs, joined the club in
“It is truly amazing to see
the members embodying
the Judgement Free Zone.
It means Planet Fitness
is doing something that
matters.”
– Natalie Kirk
general manager for the club
so important to create that comfortable,
non-intimidating environment where
people can be who they are and not have to
hide their true selves. It is truly amazing to
see the members embodying the Judgement
Free Zone. It means Planet Fitness is doing
something that matters.” G
Derek Medjesky loves the Dallas Cowboys and
showing off his gains.
February 2016 and visits the
front desk every other day to
show off his gains.
Employees note that he
loves to hug and high-five the
other members, and David
Samuel tends to reciprocate,
which has earned the atten-
tion of others in the gym.
In August, another member,
Ricky Derouen, took to
Facebook to spread the act of
kindness that he witnessed
Samuel showing to Medjesky.
“If anyone recognizes
this man in the orange shirt,
you walk up to him and
shake his hand. He doesn’t
seem like the bragging type,
so I’ll brag for him,” Derouen
said in the Facebook post.
“While working out at Planet
Fitness in Pascagoula, a
special needs man constantly
approached him about
10 different times in a
45-minute time span with
handshakes, hugs, questions and interac-
tions. Not only did this man smile, laugh,
give him workout advice and joke back
with him, he didn’t care who was watching
while doing it. His patience, compassion
and friendliness was next-level admirable.
Toward the end of the workout, the special
needs man approached me and pointed to
the man in the orange shirt and said ‘That’s
my friend’ with a huge smile on his face.
The world needs more people like this man
in the orange shirt. Well done, sir.”
By the following day, the post had
garnered more than 1,000 comments
praising Samuel for his generosity.
“This Facebook post is just a snapshot
of what happens here at Planet Fitness every
day. Derek comes to the desk, shows us
his biceps, drinks his sweet tea and fills the
place with love,” said Natalie Kirk, general
manager for the club, which is owned by
Trey Owen’s United PF Partners. “It is
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