What lead me to wanting to own a gym?

With us already 2 months though the year it got me thinking that I should tell you guys how Mindful Strength and Fitness came about. 

As our OG members know Mindful Strength and Fitness started its' life with Tracy, Scott, Marie and Cole as Body360 back in 2017. 2 years later Jen and I became part owners and ran the gym alongside Tracy and Scott. Fast forward a few years, throw in a few Covid lockdowns and loads of stress and next thing you know Jen and I take 100% control and we’re moving from Swansea into one of the biggest sheds in the area owned by the one and only Swampy and Lynne. 

But who am I and were did my passion for coaching and helping come from? 

It all started with the love of the snow. You see I loved snowboarding and the best way to spend time snowboarding was to teach snowboarding. In my late teens and early 20s after figuring out school wasn’t the place for me, I moved down to Thredbo and got a job driving a courtesy bus. But I also got a job teaching skiing and snowboarding and this is what sparked my passion for coaching. 

I absolutely loved teaching snowboarding. There was no better feeling than taking an absolute beginner, someone who hadn’t even seen snow and then two hours later having the potential to be mastering the lofty Heights of Friday flats at Thredbo ski resort. After travelling to and from the Northern and Southern hemisphere winters for the following 10 years I did less Snowboard instructing and found myself operating snowcats grooming the mountains at night. 

Around 11 years ago I found myself in Banff Canada. It was in Banff that I tried this crazy thing called CrossFit at CrossFit Canmore where I met Greg Thaczuk the owner of the gym. As lots of stories go, I did my first class and was instantly hooked after that. I participated in their 3 week On Ramp program learning the basics three times a week. I quickly fell in love with the methodology and the inspiring gym community. I was so hooked I used to drive 90min each way daily just to do classes. After a month or so I found out there was a CrossFit level 1 happening a few hours away in Calgary so I booked my place and off I went. The CrossFit level 1 was a truly life changing experience. After doing the 2 day seminar and talking to some of the participants I made my mind up then and there that I wanted to be a CrossFit coach. 

Since then, I’ve worked at multiple different gyms in Newcastle with most of my time spent at CrossFit VFL (Verve for Life) learning as much as possible from there experienced coaches. I have attended many different courses and immersed myself in learning as much as possible to help us live healthy happy lives. 

Now that I’m a father, husband and business owner my focus has shifted slightly from the coaching to a bigger focus on how I can improve and impact the health of as many people as possible in the local area. I want my kids and my members kids to grow up with ability to learn about movement and feel comfortable in a gym environment. My passion for coaching and helping others will always remain and as long as I own the gym, you’ll always see me on the gym floor. 

Nick