Pooler’s “Best Couple”: Jake & Sunny Clough

Jake and Sunny Clough, recently voted Pooler’s “Best Couple,” are well-known for their unwavering commitment to their community, health, and wellness. Their lives are a testament to giving—whether it’s their time, expertise, strength, or support. Sunny reflects on the honor, saying, “We’re truly grateful to everyone who voted for us, and I’m pretty sure it was all our amazing gym members!”

The Cloughs own and operate three local health and wellness businesses, each complementing the other, much like Jake and Sunny themselves.

Sunny explains, “Our businesses are all about bettering our community. Though they differ in focus, the common thread is our commitment to health and wellness, from spa rejuvenation to fitness and nutrition at the gym.”

Together, they founded Down Home CrossFit & Fitness Center. “At Down Home CrossFit, it’s not just about the workouts; it’s also about the incredible community that makes our gym feel like a second home,” says Sunny. The couple continues to manage the gym as a team, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all members.

Four years ago, the Cloughs expanded their health and wellness impact by acquiring Pooler Day Spa, which Sunny now manages.

“At Pooler Day Spa, we genuinely care about our clients’ overall health and well-being. We offer more than just relaxation; we provide healing,” Sunny shares. The spa’s dedicated team has won every category a spa can win for the fourth consecutive year. Sunny proudly notes, “Our staff’s passion and commitment to their clients’ well-being are what make Pooler Day Spa so special. We’ve been blessed to have each and every one of them on our team!”

Their third venture, Empower U, originated within their gym and has since grown into a stand-alone business managed by Jake.

How they Began

Jake and Sunny’s story began in a gym, fittingly enough. “Jake was the first person to welcome me on my very first day at a CrossFit gym in college,” Sunny recalls. “The second day, he coached me, and over time, he became my mentor in health, teaching me everything from workouts to grocery shopping nutritiously.”

The couple met at Georgia Southern University, decided to stay in Georgia, and have been married for eleven years, celebrating their anniversary in August.

Today, Jake and Sunny are passionate about empowering others to regain control, independence, and confidence in their lives.

“There’s so much information out there, and we help people navigate through it all. It’s incredibly rewarding for us and has given us a community of people who have become like family. It’s truly a blessing.”

Flexibility is Key

Sunny emphasizes the importance of flexibility across all their businesses. “We’re flexible for our clients, whether it’s scheduling, billing, customizing fitness or nutrition plans, or creating custom packages across all three businesses.”

Their experience allows them to guide clients in focusing on what they can do, helping them stick to plans and achieve their goals.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way—if you’re willing to put in the work,” Sunny adds.

At Pooler Day Spa, they’ve shifted from offering an extensive menu of services to a more focused, custom approach. Their Custom Facial and Custom Massage are now the center of their two biggest bookings. This allows clients to address their specific needs without overwhelming costs.

“Flexibility in a small business is about meeting people where they are. It’s what has allowed us to grow and adapt with our community,” Sunny explains.

Family Life

Despite their busy professional lives, Jake and Sunny prioritize their family. They are parents to two young children, a three-year-old and an 18-month-old.

“We love every minute of parenting,” Sunny says. “The kids enjoy coming to the gym with us to ‘work,’ which is wonderful.”

In their limited free time, the Cloughs cherish attending church on Sundays. They are members of Compassion Christian, where their children participate in Sunday School while Jake and Sunny have fellowship with each other.

“Church is our time to ‘do life’ with the people we care about,” Sunny shares. “It’s a big cornerstone of our lives, a place where we renew, refresh, and rejuvenate.”

With three successful businesses, two beautiful children, and a supportive community, Sunny sums it up perfectly: “We are very blessed.” And Pooler is equally blessed to have Jake and Sunny Clough—the Best Couple in town!