Following Their Hearts: The Royces Open Athletic Republic in Bellevue, WA

FranCoach is excited to announce that J. Royce and his wife are bringing Athletic Republic to Bellevue, Washington. They made the move with guidance from FranCoach coach Micah Vaughan.

A COO Ready to Build for His Own Family

Royce has spent his career as a chief operating officer, most recently in financial services, and he loves that work. He and his wife wanted to build something of their own and create new income streams for their family.

Health and fitness already sit at the center of their household. His wife is a clinical nutritionist, so a performance training brand felt like a natural fit.

The Call That Changed Everything

The Royces seriously considered two very different brands, and they were fully committed to both. The turning point came during a validation call with another Athletic Republic owner.

That owner shared that their location offers specialty classes for children and adults with Down syndrome and autism. The Royces have a niece with Down syndrome. Suddenly, this wasn’t just a business. It was a way to serve their own family and others like them in their community. In the end, the decision came down to what their hearts said.

“Working with J. Royce has been easy from day one. He followed the process, he showed up when he said he would, and we had frank conversations that were always productive. I am so excited to see him and his wife get the doors open on their location. The Athletic Republic family gained a true gem of a duo!”

— Micah Vaughan, FranCoach

About Athletic Republic

Athletic Republic has been helping athletes train smarter since 1986. The Park City, Utah brand runs 65 training centers across the U.S., Japan and Australia. It builds speed, power, agility, strength and stamina for student athletes, offers one-on-one and small-group training for adults, and runs an ACL Bridge Program to help athletes return to play after injury.

Coach Spotlight: Micah Vaughan

Micah Vaughan guided the Royces from first call to signed agreement. Micah Vaughan is Fort Worth born and raised (and proudly not Dallas). Her career spans auto finance, consulting with family-owned businesses, entrepreneurship, and retail-focused tech—each role reinforcing her belief that people are the most important part of any business. Outside of work, Micah treasures time with her husband, grandkids, and family, prioritizing experiences, travel, and memory-making above all else. Her approach is simple: show up, have honest conversations, and help each client choose the business that fits their life.

About FranCoach

FranCoach is a franchise coaching firm that helps aspiring business owners find, evaluate and launch the right franchise for their goals. Its coaches guide candidates through every step: defining lifestyle and income goals, comparing brands, talking with current owners, and working through the legal steps. FranCoach is an IFA member, and its coaches bring decades of combined experience with first-time owners and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.

Thinking about business ownership? You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need one real conversation. Book a call with Micah.