So, if you were wondering how Elite started. Here is a quick snapshot of it all.
I started as a trainer in 2009 at “Bally’s Total Fitness” in Santa Ana.
After I earned my first client (3 months after I started) I knew that fitness was the career for me.
The first 3 months were brutal. I was pretty much an intern. I spent 12-14 hour days at the gym. from 6am – 8pm. Shadowing, learning the lingo, and being part of the community, but not getting paid. I would workout everyday between 12pm and 2pm. After 8pm I would frequently play music gigs around town. I was loving life!!!
I took every client I could get my hands on. I wanted to train and help as many people as I could. I just loved being around all those people. And this is when my dream of owning a gym came to me. I would dream about it every night before bed. You know that state between wake and sleep?
After a year and a half, it was time to move on. So, I packed my gym bag and went to “LA Fitness” in Irvine. With all the new skills I learned, I filled my calendar in less than a month.
I learned so much these next 3 years. I became a better trainer and hungrier than ever before to open a gym.
And in February of 2013, I left “LA Fitness” to finally open my own gym. I was ready!!!
December 3rd, 2013 is when I signed the lease for Elite. I remember getting to the car afterwards and thinking “What did I just do.” I looked at my girlfriend Elia, and she looked at me and said “I think you need a shot.” I did not protest!
I began working on Elite right away with the help of Elia, and my family. We painted the walls (I swore I would never paint again), fixed the floors, and added the equipment. It was a lot of work. But I loved every single minute of it.
And on January 27th. I finally had my gym!!!!!! And this is just the beginning of the story here at Elite.
This January 27th we will celebrate our 11 year anniversary. And we are having our annual members party on the 25th.
Joaquin
