My Geefit Journey: A Reflection over the last 7 years!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve received numerous questions from friends and fellow Geefit members about my happiness with the opening of my gym and whether I recognize how far I’ve come. I appreciate their kind words and encouragement, but I often struggle to see the progress that they see. I work diligently, focused on my goals, sometimes forgetting to celebrate my own achievements.
After reflecting on these conversations, I took a moment to revisit my journey and the milestones I’ve reached since I started this path:
2016/17: My fitness journey began while my son was at football training. I started working out alone, but soon parents began to join me, and what started as a personal journey blossomed into a community of eight parents participating in my workouts.
They said to do my PT course I responded no because I want to enjoy training as I am doing this just for me. Mandy Thomas
Initially hesitant to pursue a Personal Training (PT) course, I eventually discovered an opportunity with Help for Heroes. I reached out immediately and enrolled in the course. My learning continued with a placement at Andover Leisure Center.
Eager to gain more experience, I approached several gyms in Andover, offering to work for free, but faced rejection from all. I am especially grateful to Fevo Gym for believing in me and allowing me to run early morning boot camps and conduct personal training sessions.
I emailed my course instructor asking what he thought of me joining a franchise. He responded, “Don’t. You are good enough to do this on your own.” I still have that email from him.
In 2018, I ignored his advice as I didn’t believe that I could and approached a franchisee asking if I could join their franchise. They told me the upfront cost and what I needed to do to be a part of their franchise. I said I’m in, even though I was still really scared and worried due to my lack of experience. I took my last £6000 from my savings plus £7500 loan, emptied it all to buy a van and all my equipment to start this.
When I spent all that money I sat in my van that Friday night and I cried and thinking that I’ve made the wrong decision. It was too late to go back. So I told my self this has to work.
Open first Bootcamp April 2018
A few months in, I started to regret not listening to my course instructor when he told me not to, as this wasn’t for me. So I decided I didn’t want to be a part of this franchise anymore. I began to seek legal advice on how to leave and what to do.
2019: Everything was all clear and easy for me to leave and move on. It took me 6-9 months to build up the courage to hand in my notice, and oh my God, that was hell. Many times during this phase, I wanted to give up on life and my business. I was getting stress from members and dealing with thousands of pounds in legal fees and income lost/stolen. I wish I could share the details of what I went through during this time, but it involved sleepless nights, nightmares, anxiety, stress, and feeling overwhelmed—the list goes on.
I had a few people who supported me through this time, and I am forever grateful to them. If it weren’t for their support, only God knows what would have happened. You know who you are thank you.
Jamaicans are proud people and As a proud Jamaican, I grew up where failing is not an option, so I was prepared to work until I died rather than fail or give it up.
2018: In September, I launched the Geefit Morning Bootcamp. 5:30am 3 days per week
2019: Left the franchise and did everything on my own.
2020: In January, I decided to open Geefit Bootcamp Larkhill, but just three months later, COVID-19 hit, bringing uncertainty for everyone.
2022: In April, I opened Geefit Bootcamp Sholing.
2023: I introduced the Geefit Body Recomp program, which has been a great success over the last two years.
2024: The big moment arrives in December when the Geefit Gym officially opens!
2025: With the opening of Geefit gym it’s not going to be easy but prepared to work hard to make it work. Spend time teaching members and educating them about health and fitness and grow the new Geefit while enjoying the journey.
Over the last 6 years so much has happened, so much ups and down, so many people comes and go.
Has it been an easy road getting to where I am now? No, there have been many sleepless nights, stressful days, and worries about making this work. Many people have passed through the doors of Geefit, and without them, this journey wouldn’t have been possible.
I’ve been through hell and achieve a lot over the last few years and Moving forward over the next few months I will enjoy the fruit of my labour. Smile more and be happy as I will enjoy building and growing my gym and not worry about anything.
Despite the trauma and challenges I faced, I remain grateful for the experiences and the lessons learned. Each hurdle has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am proud of the progress I’ve made. With this reflection, I can now see what everyone else sees.
Thank you to every current and past member of Geefit plus everyone that supported Geefit over the years.
