From her first tennis lesson, Amy McKenzie found a passion for tennis – something she now shares with her entire family.
Meet Amy McKenzie
Finding Connection on The Court

Fitness has always been important to Amy, so after having kids, she needed a gym where she could exercise while they were cared for. She joined MVP Sportsplex 18 years ago for the Kids’ Stuff program, which gave her peace of mind knowing her kids were active and engaged while she worked out. Today, her love for fitness is just as strong, and now her whole family shares this passion. Together, she and her four kids love to hit the club, join a class, or work on their tennis game together.
Now, Amy goes to MVP Crahen five days a week for morning workouts. She loves the facility and the warm welcome she receives every day. Her routine often includes Body Pump, Pilates, or mixing things up with a new class. “No matter what my schedule is or how I’m feeling, I know I can always find something that piques my interest,” she said. Group fitness gives her consistent workouts with instructors who push her to step outside her comfort zone. “Without Aaron, I never would have learned that I can do a bajillion pulsing split squats in a row,” she said, laughing.
While group fitness builds her strength, Amy’s true passion is tennis. The court gives her cardio, energy, and a healthy outlet for her competitive spirit. “It’s the perfect combo for me,” she said. Amy started 12 years ago in a free swing class and quickly fell in love. Through consistent practice in the adult tennis program, she improved to a 4.0 level and joined the MVP Travel Team, where she competes in USTA events and tournaments across the state. She credits her growth to MVP’s supportive tennis community. “I’ve met so many amazing people through tennis at MVP, and the coaches are always running drills that keep me moving and leveling up my game,” she said. “If Jason ever doesn’t get me to 8,000 steps and 800 calories burned by 11 a.m., I’ll be surprised.
Amy’s passion for fitness isn’t just personal. It is a cornerstone in her family. Her oldest son, Drew, first tried basketball, football, and baseball, but she suggested tennis in eighth grade. “After his first lesson, he told me it was the most fun he’d ever had playing sports,” she said.
Her husband, JJ, and three daughters, Paige, Morgan, and Avery, soon followed. They joined the youth and high school Elite Tennis programs, which she credits for preparing them for competitive play. “Clay keeps the class sizes small, so kids get lots of attention and repetition,” she said. “Amber also runs a fantastic High School Team Tennis League over the winter that my kids love. The private lessons with Kurt and Elijah also made a big impact.”
Their hard work paid off. Drew, Paige, and Morgan all won multiple state championships in high school, setting school win records along the way. Today, they all play club tennis at Michigan State. “I’m so proud of everything they have accomplished. Avery loves singles and competes in the third singles spot as a freshman. She hopes to follow in her siblings’ footsteps and win a championship of her own,” Amy said.
For Amy, it has come full circle. The kids she once dropped off at Kids’ Stuff are now her workout and tennis partners. “My daughters often join me in class over the summer. It’s so fun to work out with them. They’ve seen for themselves the benefits of being active, and tennis has a lot to do with it,” she said. “What other sport lets you play with your whole family and keep it competitive? It’s something we can all enjoy together.”
Learn more about the MVP Tennis Program
MVP offers tennis classes and programming for players of all ages and skill levels. With options ranging from free play to summer camps or private lessons, our tennis pros offer expert instruction to help grow your skills and experience all the amazing benefits of sport.=
MVP Employees Mentioned in Story
Aaron Velting – Group Exercise Manager, MVP Crahen
Jeson Chen, Regional Racquet Sports Manager
Clayton Hodge, Racquet Sports Manager, MVP Sportsplex
Amber Slater, Tennis Pro, MVP Crahen
Elijah Yi, Tennis Pro, MVP Crahen
