My decade-long journey with GRIPT has been as much about self-discovery as it has been about fitness and business. Reflecting on the last ten years, I can see how every challenge, milestone, and lesson has shaped both me and the GRIPT brand into what we are today.
In 2014, I reached a breaking point. After years of neglecting my health, partying excessively, and burying the grief of losing my older brother Mathew in 2008, I realised something had to change. Mathew’s decade-long battle with bipolar and depression had ended tragically, and I was carrying unresolved grief. With the benefit of hindsight, the lifestyle I had adopted—drinking heavily, living for the weekend, and avoiding my feelings—was my way of escaping. I knew I had to turn my life around.
With the help of a close friend and personal trainer, I began my journey in the gym. Weight training became my lifeline, introducing me to hypertrophy training, which focuses on building muscle. Over time, my energy, mood, and mindset transformed. I learned to embrace the discomfort of pushing my body and found that it mirrored the personal growth I needed to undertake in every other area of my life.
I cleaned up my diet, started prioritising sleep, and implemented new habits like daily walks. These small, consistent actions compounded over time. Within three months, my entire lifestyle had shifted. I was shedding excess body fat, building muscle, and—most importantly—strengthening my mental resilience.
This transformation inspired me to co-found GRIPT in South Yarra, Melbourne with the friend who had trained me. We saw significant gaps in the fitness industry: a lack of care for members, transactional personal training, and an overreliance on fleeting fitness trends. We wanted to create a business with purpose — a place where people could train with purpose, supported by a genuine community and highly skilled coaches.
I came from a corporate background in banking and finance, with no experience in the health and fitness industry. What I did have was a strong foundation in sales, leadership, and operations, which I quickly applied to the small business environment – developing a product tailored to a particular audience and we spent the first three years of GRIPT refining that product while building our identity and building a culture of excellence.
By year four, we undertook a complete rebrand and renovation of our studio, setting the tone for the future of GRIPT. These efforts laid the foundation for long-term success, allowing us to grow into a trusted name in the industry.
Over the past decade, we’ve weathered our fair share of challenges. Melbourne’s extended lockdowns in 2020 were particularly testing, but they also became a defining moment for our business. We adapted by offering outdoor training, creating a virtual studio with live-streamed and on-demand sessions, and launching a rooftop training space at the Jam Factory on Chapel Street. These initiatives weren’t just about survival—they were about being there for our members when they needed us most.
We’ve also stayed true to our values. From the start, we decided GRIPT’s reputation would be built on what we do and how well we do it, rather than relying on influencers or gimmicks. This commitment to quality has earned us a loyal community and a reputation for excellence.
In late 2023, we opened our second location in Hawthorn, successfully replicating the culture and community we built in South Yarra. With plans to intelligently expand our presence in 2025, our vision continues to grow.
Today, GRIPT is for people who are tired of chasing shortcuts and fads. Our approach focuses on sustainable, long-term strategies for improving physical, mental, and overall health. It’s about what happens outside the gym—nutrition, sleep, and daily habits—just as much as the training that happens inside.
As I approach my 40th birthday, I remain as committed as ever to my health and personal growth. Looking after myself has allowed me to navigate life’s challenges, from business hurdles to personal setbacks. Each year, I strive to build more muscle, refine my habits, and become better in every aspect of my life.
The journey of building GRIPT has taught me that transformation is always possible. It starts with a decision to prioritise your health and wellbeing. To anyone reading this: it’s never too late to make that choice. Start today.
For more on GRIPT, visit www.gript.com.au.
