My name is Richard, and I grew up in Birmingham, UK. Despite attending college, my academic journey was cut short as I found myself in the wrong circles and didn't focus on my studies. However, a turning point came in my early twenties when I had an accident that, surprisingly, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This incident gave me the opportunity to leave my hometown and go backpacking intermittently for almost two years. The experience transformed me; it expanded my worldview, increased my confidence, and deepened my appreciation for the complexities and beauty of humanity.
1) What is your current goal in life and why?
Currently, my overarching goal is to build a fitness business that transcends the superficial focus on 'Instagram-perfect' bodies. I also aim to set a positive example for my son by making fitness and health a standard part of his life. My vision is to make fitness accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for everyone—regardless of their appearance, age, or gender. I believe fitness should be a lifestyle choice, not just a ticket to social media likes or an obsession over aesthetics.
If I can help people understand that fitness is not only enjoyable but also a powerful tool to mitigate a range of chronic illnesses, then I will consider myself successful. I always tell my clients to shift their focus from merely losing weight to adopting healthier eating habits and becoming more active. The weight loss and improved appearance will naturally follow as positive side effects.
In terms of business goals, I'm focused on expanding both my brick-and-mortar gym and my online personal training services.
My life motto is, 'Saying no is always the easy route. Choose yes, and see where the journey takes you.' In my experience, this approach often yields positive outcomes, and even when it doesn't, there's invaluable learning to be gained.
3) Feminism for me is…
For me, feminism in the context of fitness is about empowering women to be strong—and I mean physically strong—so that they can continue to break new ground in the fitness world. It's about fostering confidence in women to pursue the same fitness goals as men, but in their own unique way. I believe we should move away from making comparisons and instead focus on celebrating each individual's strengths and achievements. Women are already making significant strides in various fields, despite numerous obstacles. My aim is to support them and help remove those roadblocks whenever possible.
4) What would I recommend my younger self?
If I could speak to my younger self, I would say, 'Be unapologetically you. Stop worrying about what others think; their opinions have held you back for too long. You could have made significant strides if you had simply stopped trying to please everyone. Be yourself, be confident, have fun, and live freely without letting the judgments of others constrain you'.
5) You recently started your own fitness center. How did fitness become your passion and what is your main mission with your company?
I've always enjoyed physical activity and the gym, but like many young people, I didn't take my health as seriously as I should have. Early on, my lifestyle included excessive smoking and drinking, particularly during my travel years. I don't regret it, as it served as a life lesson. The wake-up call came after a trip to Thailand left me seriously ill and made me realise my own vulnerability. This shifted my perspective on fitness from being just a hobby focused on aesthetics to a full-fledged lifestyle centered on movement, mobility, and functionality. My dietary habits changed, and I adopted a more balanced approach to alcohol and fast food.
My main mission with my fitness centre is to create an inclusive, functional fitness space that welcomes everyone—from young adults to clients in their 60s and 70s. I want to help people recognize the life-extending benefits of being active. In addition to the physical gym, I run an online personal training business where I offer customised workout routines and goal-setting assistance. It's still in its nascent stage, but the idea is essentially to provide 'a personal trainer in your pocket.' I aim to be available to my clients whenever they need guidance or motivation.
So, my goals are twofold: to expand my physical gym into a community space that goes beyond catering to typical gym-goers, and to grow my online personal training business so I can reach more people in different locations. Ultimately, I hope to inspire people to take their health more seriously.
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