When Laurel Blackburn says passion must be your motivator in life, she isn’t just quoting some tired slogan.

Judging from the schedule she keeps, the effort to have her young company succeed, and her devotion to her clients, Blackburn readily demonstrates her philosophy. she is also one of the Tallahassee Democrat’s 25 Women You Need to Know, an annual celebration of women and their contributions to the community.

Her first sessions at Boot Camp Fitness & Training start at 5:30 a.m., which means she’s up by 3:30. Blackburn started the company in 2005 after more than 10 years as a personal trainer. she had seen the boot camp style of fitness center in other cities and thought that intensive, no-frills method of getting in shape would work in Tallahassee.

But there was a drawback.

“I knew nothing about business, but I gave myself six months to get this together,” she said, recalling the early days. The business outgrew its first rented space of 800 square feet and now occupies a building on Industrial Plaza Drive. The clients just keep coming.

“I have got it made. I love what I do and I love our clients,” she says. “I get to help people change their lives.”

On staff are brother Michael Alvarez, an award-winning trainer in his own right, and sister Janine Thomas, who provides sales and marketing help.

“I cannot think of another trainer who cares more about the welfare of their clients and the health of this community than Laurel Blackburn,” said Kim Sgro, a client who adds that her Boot Camp experience not only has her in better shape, but enabled her to build new friendships.

Blackburn’s community work comes from her energy and desire to solve problems. she is a Special Olympics coach, but also started collecting gently used sneakers when she noticed that many Special Olympians didn’t have the footwear needed for competing in their events. Boot Camp clients have joined in that project, as well as the company’s support for Toys for Tots.

“I feel so blessed I just can’t keep it to myself. when you are so blessed, you have to give something back to the community,” Blackburn said.