COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former Terrapin Vicki Brick is now the CEO of Brick Bodies gyms. Brick played for the Terrapins from 2000-2004 and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team in all four years. She shot over 40 percent from the field in her career, averaging 5.7 points per game with 364 career assists. She was captain of the Terrapins in her senior year, helping them reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In 2015, Brick was named a Top Executive by Smart CEO. She was recognized as one of “50 Women to Watch” by the Baltimore Sun in 2013 and was named a “Leading Woman” by the Daily Record. 

Umterps.com sat down with Brick to catch up on her career now.

First, let our fans know what your job is and how you go into it.

VB: I am the CEO of Brick Bodies, a chain of family owned health clubs in the Baltimore area. After playing basketball in Australia and the Philippines I moved back to the U.S. and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. My parents were opening up a new Brick Bodies location and asked me if I wanted to work for them. Of course, my initial reaction was to turn them down. But I had nothing else in place and my parents assured me that even if I didn't want to stay in the fitness industry or work for them long term, I would learn communication and relationship skills that would be useful in any career. Little did I know that I would love working in the fitness industry.

I started in sales, and loved the rush I got. For me, sales was very similar to playing sports, everyday day you have to bring your game and prove your worth. Its production base and my pay was directly related to how well I performed. I loved the challenge and the competition...it was a game. I would get the same butterflies in my stomach going to work that I used to get on game days at Maryland, and thats when I knew I found something special. That was almost nine years ago when I started and I worked my way up the ladder. I led the company in sales when I started, then got promoted to general manager.

In 2013 I became the VP and helped to open our flagship club and grew membership from 4,000 to 10,000 in 9 months. In January 2015, I was promoted to CEO to replace my father, Victor, who is now running our Planet Fitness side of the business. And yes, I still get those butterflies in my stomach when I get out of bed in the morning. 

 What did you study at Maryland and did it help you get your current job?

VB: I got my bachelor of science in knesiology and communications. Knesiology provided me with the knowledge about how the body works, which is useful with my job so I can relate to our members and help them achieve their goals. I thought I wanted to pursue sports broadcasting, which is why I majored in communications. But then I realized sports was my escape and I didn't want to make it my job. But I learned basic principles about how to communicate with people, how to write properly and how to express myself. When I do my public speaking, I tell people that a lot of my business philosophies I learned from my athletic experience. I learned toughness, I learned how to deal with adversity, I learned how to motivate people, I learned how to coach people, I learned how to get people in the best positions to be successful and I learned that life is a game. One day you can be on the top of the world and the next day, you can be knocked on your butt. So don't get too high with the highs and don't get too low with the lows. But enjoy everyday and take it as a blessing. 

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

VB: My day to day responsibilities revolve around revenue production, cultivating our culture, managing our budget, mentoring our staff, overseeing facility and equipment renovation projects and brainstorming creative programs to help take us to the next level. Every day is different depending on our focus. One day could be spent in executive meetings analyzing our cash flow. Another day could be spent brainstorming with our Personal Training Director and COO about creative programing we want to offer. Another day could be spent traveling to the clubs doing club cleanliness inspections and assisting in management training. Another day could be spent in renovation meetings deciding what club improvements we want to make and how much money we want to spend. Thats the beauty of my job. Its never monotonous. As the CEO I get to choose what we need to focus on as a company to help us grow. 

What is the best part about your job?

VB: One of the best things I love about my job is interacting with my amazing team. I believe in getting people on the right seat of the bus and finding a way for all the players to play to their strengths. We have been in business 30 years and I feel very blessed that many people on our team have been with us 10, 15, 20, even 30 years. We would not be where we are as a company without them!  I also love interacting with our members. We have over 28,000 members in the Baltimore area and its so much fun to be able to help change peoples lives. I love seeing people evolve in the club and I love hearing our members success stories. Between our world class staff and our loyal members, they both make going to work each day so much fun!

-Terps-