I remember when I first had those thoughts of taking control of my out of control life. I was an unemployed single father with very little education and most days I felt depressed and hopeless. How was I going to do this?
I had let myself go since my days in the Navy – My diet was poor and even though I considered myself an athlete, I didn’t exercise with any regularity. So I immediately dedicated myself to becoming a healthier person, began jogging and attending group fitness classes regularly.
I found almost instantly that if I put effort towards my health every day, other things in my life began to fall into place. I really loved the new version of me and I wanted to see how far this healthy lifestyle could take me. I loved being in the gym, the new like-minded friends, and the camaraderie that came while striving for new goals.
Shortly after, I got certified as a personal trainer and began moonlighting as an instructor. I loved it and people seemed to respond really well to my coaching style. So with the help of a mentor, I took a leap of faith, quit my stable job and opened my own group personal training gym in 2011.
People thought I was crazy and they were right. I was crazy about health and fitness and I wanted everyone to experience the life change that I had! Quickly the gym began to fill up and we’ve been going strong ever since. I’ve recently branched off from the original gym after continuing my education, but the message is still the same. My aim is to always have a non-intimidating system of health and fitness that anyone can follow.
I often think, ‘What if everyone became the best version of themselves? Wouldn’t the world be a better place?’
I have experienced life at the bottom – homeless, alienated from my family, jobless, hopeless and defeated – but taking care of myself, starting with my health, was where it all changed. Now you don’t have to be where I’ve been to want or need change. I guarantee that if you’re willing to apply the basic principles of health and fitness, life change is inevitable and you will become a BETTER VERSION OF YOURSELF.
-Joel Flynn, Owner