A little more than a month ago, Angela Douglas was employed as the full-time mother of three-year-old Isabella, and Thaddeus Douglas was working full-time as the foreman for an Orcas construction firm and working out at the Orcas Spa and Athletics. Today, as they make plans for their one-year wedding anniversary, they both have the same jobs but have added ownership of the health club to their responsibilities.

“I figured buying the gym would be a good way to get a free membership,” Thaddeus said laughingly. “I have always been interested in health and fitness ever since Cindy Elliot taught me how to lift in high school. I have been lifting ever since. I was a member of the gym in high school and joined up again when I returned to the island four-years ago,” said Thaddeus who was born and raised on Orcas and is a Orcas High School graduate from the class of 1995.

“Both Thaddeus and I have been into fitness for a long time,” Angela said. “I was in a head-on auto collision where I was pronounced dead at the scene and was brought back to life. I was told that if I survived I would never walk again. I was crushed from the waist down. I had always been athletic and into fitness, playing sports and dance. I managed my own physical therapy and it gave me a special interest in physical health and fitness.”

The couple has big plans for the health club which Angela will manage. They plan to add more classes including therapeutic yoga, a class for seniors and a pilates and yoga combination class. They hope to work with area chiropractors and physical therapists to provide for their clients’ needs and to work with local bed-and-breakfast inns to provide a resort experience. They have also expanded the gym’s hours and are considering providing childcare and personal trainers for members. Orcas Spa and Athletics is now open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Many of the changes will be internal. We are planning on building a solid team. We would like to make it more of a community facility. Many people have not been in since it was remodeled two years ago,” says Angela who will be calling on her experience in the hospitality industry, marketing and sales to assist her in managing the club.

Thaddeus says, “I am basically the pool boy and maintenance, the behind the scenes guy.” Angela adds that he’s a gym consultant

The health club currently has nearly 300 members and offers annual memberships as well as three-month and ten-day passes. The facilities include a cardio room, spin class, strength-training, weight-machines, racquetball court, saunas, a hot tub and a 52-foot salt-water heated swimming pool. In the spa they will continue to offer facials, manicures, massage and body treatments.

“We want to build a family of fitness where members motivate each other to better health and a better life. We would also like to see families coming in and lifting together. We are excited about raising Isabella in a health-conscious environment. I have been doing this for so long that it’s a vision for me of a longer and happier life,” Thaddeus says.