Supporting South Fulton County’s youth is essential to developing our future leaders. John Childs and his team at Mental Fitness STEAM Academy answer that call with after school and summer programs that prepare students to lead our economy and communities into the future. The Chamber Spotlight team recently connected with Childs to discuss his organization and plans for the future.
Please tell us a little about your story and how you got to where you are today?
Mental Fitness really started with a moment of frustration and conviction when I was a public school teacher. I kept seeing students who were capable, creative, and full of potential—but they weren’t being engaged in a way that brought that out of them. Learning felt passive for too many of them, and I knew there had to be a better way.
So I made the decision to step out on faith and build something different.
What started as a small program has grown over the past 13 years into Mental Fitness STEAM Academy, serving students across South Fulton through after-school and summer programs. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students and families, and what has kept me going is seeing students transform—becoming more confident, more curious, and more willing to take on challenges.
One of the biggest things I realized early on is that how we teach matters just as much as what we teach. That led to the development of our MF21 Innovation Engine™, a hands-on learning model that moves students from curiosity to building and presenting their own ideas.
Today, Mental Fitness is more than a program, it’s something I’ve poured years into building for this community. We’re creating spaces where kids feel seen, challenged, and capable. And as we continue to grow, including expanding into early childhood education, my goal is still the same as when I started: to make sure our students don’t just learn, but truly believe in what they’re capable of becoming.
Entrepreneurship isn't always smooth sailing. Please share a specific challenge you've overcome on your business journey.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as an entrepreneur has been building and sustaining Mental Fitness with limited resources while still trying to create a high-quality, impactful program.
In the early years especially, there were moments where funding was uncertain, enrollment fluctuated, and I had to wear every hat, educator, administrator, marketer, and leader, all at the same time. There were definitely seasons where things felt unstable, and I had to make tough decisions just to keep the organization moving forward.
What made it even more challenging is that I wasn’t just building a business, I was building something that the community depended on. Families were trusting us with their children, so quitting or lowering the standard was never really an option.
Over time, I’ve learned how to navigate those challenges by becoming more strategic—building partnerships, developing systems, and being more intentional about growth instead of just surviving year to year. That shift has allowed us to move from simply operating programs to actually building an organization with long-term vision and sustainability.
That experience taught me resilience, but more importantly, it taught me how to lead through uncertainty—and that’s something I carry into every phase of growth today.
Members don't always recognize a great organization by name. Can you share what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mental Fitness provides academic enrichment through the lens of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. We do this through after-school, school break and summer camps.
What characteristic or advantage would you give the most credit to in the success of your business?
I would say our biggest advantage is that we’ve been very intentional about how we teach, not just what we teach.
Early on, I realized that a lot of programs focus on content, but students really grow when they’re actively engaged in the learning process. That led us to develop our own instructional model, the MF21 Innovation Engine™, which guides every experience we create. Instead of students just receiving information, they’re challenged to think, build, test, and present their ideas. 
What makes that powerful is that it builds more than academic skills, it builds confidence. Our students start to see themselves as problem-solvers and leaders, not just learners.
I also think our longevity and consistency in the community have been a major factor. We’ve been serving families in South Fulton for over a decade, and that trust has allowed us to grow organically through relationships and results.
At the end of the day, our “special sauce” is the combination of a structured, proven learning model and a genuine commitment to the students and families we serve. That’s what has allowed us to sustain, grow, and continue making an impact.
That's amazing. Can you tell us a bit about your leadership team?
John Childs is the Founder and CEO of Mental Fitness STEAM Academy, a South Fulton based youth development organization serving students ages 4–11 through after-school, summer, and enrichment programs.
A former public school teacher, John launched Mental Fitness over a decade ago after recognizing the need for more engaging, hands-on learning experiences that build both academic skills and confidence in young students. What began as a small program has grown into a trusted community-based organization focused on preparing students to think critically, solve problems, and lead.
Under his leadership, Mental Fitness developed the MF21 Innovation Engine™, a structured instructional model that guides students through a cycle of curiosity, exploration, creation, and presentation.
Jaycee is passionate about closing opportunity gaps in South Fulton County by providing equitable access to high-quality STEAM education. As the organization continues to grow, including the upcoming launch of a Private Pre-K program, his focus remains on building a pipeline of confident, capable young learners prepared for future success.