By Kameron Kicklighter | Co-founder & Vice President at WeGym, Inc.
Pride Month is a natural time for reflection. As a gay man and founder in the wellness industry, I often use this time to take a closer look at the kind of company we’re building and the kind of leader I want to be. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished at WeGym, but more than anything, I’m proud of how we show up for each other behind the scenes.
I didn’t start out knowing how to lead this way. It’s something I had to grow into, shaped by my own personal journey and the values I’ve picked up along the way.
Growing Up Gay Taught Me a Lot About Power
I grew up in an environment where being gay made you more aware of your surroundings. You were constantly reading the room, figuring out who was safe and who wasn’t. It made you careful. It made you pay attention.
That awareness stayed with me. As a leader, it makes me more intentional about how power shows up in a space. I think a lot about how people feel in the room. Do they feel like they can speak freely? Do they feel like their ideas matter? Do they trust that they can be themselves?
That kind of psychological safety is essential. You don’t get innovation or real collaboration without it. You just get people performing roles. I want my team to feel like they belong. I want them to know that their voices aren’t just welcomed, they’re needed.
I Don’t Believe in Micromanaging
I don’t need people to be perfect. I need them to care. I need them to think critically, take risks, and learn from mistakes. I believe in giving people real autonomy. If I’ve hired someone to be on my team, I trust them to make decisions. Even if those decisions don’t always work out.
One of the mantras I use often is “be human first.” Whether it’s a hard conversation, a creative challenge, or a misstep in a project, I always try to come back to that. When you lead with compassion and curiosity, things usually move in the right direction. People open up. Solutions show up. Progress becomes possible.
Representation is More Than a Marketing Campaign
Every June, I see a lot of brands roll out their Pride campaigns. But the truth is, many of those same companies don’t have LGBTQ+ people in leadership. They might post rainbow graphics on Instagram, but when you look at their boardrooms and executive teams, they all look the same.
If you want to be an ally, you have to go deeper than branding. Representation matters. You need diverse voices in the rooms where decisions are made. That’s where real change happens. That’s how companies get smarter, more connected, and more reflective of the communities they say they care about.
This goes for gender as well. Women are still dramatically underrepresented in executive roles across wellness and fitness, despite making up the majority of consumers. Inclusion isn’t just ethical. It’s strategic.
Wellness Should Feel Like Belonging
I’ve always believed that wellness should feel accessible and welcoming. It should meet people where they are. Whether someone is just getting started or has been training for years, they should feel like the space was made with them in mind.
At WeGym, our long-term vision is about impact. Yes, we have sales goals. But our bigger focus is on community. That means building programs that train and empower the next generation of instructors. It means offering support for people of all fitness levels, income levels, body types, and identities. It means using our platform to help women and children even outside the context of fitness.
Our goal is to build a brand that shows up globally, but with a strong connection to each community we enter. We want people to feel proud to work with us or represent our name, not just because of the product, but because of the values behind it.
Mental Health Shouldn’t Be a Secret
Something I don’t think we talk about enough in leadership is how many people are quietly struggling. I live with ADHD and have had periods of depression. For a while, I used alcohol as a way to cope. Earlier this year, I stopped drinking. I’m six months sober now. I don’t know if that’s forever, but it’s been really good for me.
As someone who leads a company, I’ve realized how common it is for people to carry this pressure silently. Especially men. Especially founders. There’s this belief that if you admit you’re struggling, you lose credibility. I think the opposite is true. Being honest makes you more grounded. More trustworthy.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. You can’t build a healthy company if you’re running yourself into the ground. And you can’t expect your team to be open with you if you’re not open with them.
Pride Doesn’t End in June
Being a gay founder doesn’t just shape how I think about diversity. It shapes how I think about leadership itself. I lead differently because of my experiences. I see things differently because of what I’ve lived through. And I build differently because I know what exclusion feels like.
If you’re trying to build a more inclusive brand, start by making sure the right people have a seat at the table. Real change happens when you create space for people to lead, not just be included.
Pride isn’t just a campaign. It’s a commitment. And I’m here for it year-round.
Looking for more ways to build inclusive teams or connect with underrepresented communities in wellness?
Follow along at WeGymFit.com or on Instagram at @wegym_fit for more insights, conversations, and community-driven action.
