Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitchel Black.
Hi Mitchel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started STRONGSIDE because I saw a gap — not just in fitness, but in how people were being led toward their best selves. I didn’t come from wealth, and I didn’t have a safety net. I sold my car to fund the early days of the business. I literally ran to work every morning — not metaphorically — because it was the only way to get there. There were months I couldn’t pay myself, nights the lights were turned off, and more than one payroll week where I had to dig deep to make it all work.
But even then, I knew STRONGSIDE was more than a gym — it was a culture. It was built on the belief that people are capable of far more than they give themselves credit for, and they just need the right system and leadership to unlock it.
Over time, we scaled from 1 to 5 locations in under 18 months. We were voted the #1 gym four years in a row. We were even featured on The American Dream TV show. But more than the awards, I’m proud of the thousands of lives we impacted — from members who lost 100+ pounds to coaches who went on to open businesses of their own.
STRONGSIDE started as my hustle. It became my platform. And today, it’s a brand that stands for resilience, high standards, and community — exactly the way I always envisioned it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road — but I wouldn’t trade the hard parts. STRONGSIDE was built during chaos. In the early days, I was juggling everything: coaching classes, running payroll, fixing broken equipment, negotiating leases — all before lunch. I remember having anxiety attacks in the middle of the night wondering how I’d make payroll the next morning. There were moments where the business almost didn’t make it, and I had to make tough decisions fast — sometimes with incomplete information and zero margin for error.
One of the biggest challenges was scaling without losing culture. It’s easy to manage one gym, but building five in 18 months and keeping the energy, standards, and member experience consistent? That’s war-time leadership. We had to develop systems, train leaders, and hold people to a higher bar — all while growing fast.
COVID nearly wiped us out. But instead of folding, we pivoted fast — outdoor classes, equipment rentals, Zoom coaching, all of it. That period taught me that leadership isn’t about having the answers. It’s about staying calm, making the next right decision, and keeping your people focused on what can be done.
The road wasn’t smooth — but every obstacle became part of the playbook. And today, I’m proud of the business not just because it survived, but because it became a vehicle for other people to thrive.
As you know, we’re big fans of STRONGSIDE. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
STRONGSIDE isn’t just a gym — it’s a culture company disguised as a fitness brand. We specialize in group training that blends strength, conditioning, and real coaching. But what we’re known for is how we lead people. It’s not about six-packs or Instagram workouts. It’s about helping everyday people become stronger — mentally, physically, and emotionally.
What sets STRONGSIDE apart is our culture. From day one, we built this place to feel like home. Our members know they’ll be pushed, coached, and cared for. Our coaches are leaders, not cheerleaders — they’re trained to guide people through change, not just count reps. Every class is systemized to deliver a world-class experience, whether it’s your first time in a gym or you’ve done Ironmans.
We scaled from one location to five in under 18 months, won “#1 Gym” four years in a row, and were featured on The American Dream TV show. But what I’m most proud of is the consistency — across locations, across teams, across years. We created a brand that people trust, a business that produces real results, and a movement that inspires people to raise their standards.
If you come to STRONGSIDE, you’ll get fit. But more importantly, you’ll start thinking and living differently. We exist to help people unlock what’s already inside them — and give them the tools, the coaching, and the environment to dominate their goals.
How do you define success?
To me, success is closing the gap between where you are and your potential. It’s not about titles, income, or applause — it’s about becoming who you were capable of being.
That means doing the hard things. It means showing up with discipline when no one’s watching. It means being honest about where you’re falling short and having the courage to change it. Success is internal before it ever becomes external — and in business, it shows up in how you lead people, build systems, and create value that lasts.
For our members at STRONGSIDE, success might look like losing 50 pounds, running their first 5K, or simply feeling confident again. For me, it’s knowing I’ve given everything I have to close that potential gap — as a leader, a founder, and a builder of culture.
The gap will always be there — that’s the point. But success is about narrowing it, day after day, with intentional effort and no excuses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.the-strongside.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trainstrongside/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trainstrongside
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelblack/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongsideNation
Image Credits
April Elliott Photography
