Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Michaelides.
Matt, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am an Atlanta native and a sports and fitness fanatic. Before opening Snap Fitness Sandy Springs I worked for 20-years at the Gym at Peachtree Presbyterian in Buckhead. I got my first job there when I was a 15-year-old high school student, running the scoreboard for the men’s basketball league. The Gym at Peachtree had become a second home to me.
I organized and managed all church sports programs for the adult men’s league, and for hundreds of children from the age of two through high school. In April of 2014, my life was turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis. Almost immediately after that stunning diagnosis, I took the bull by the horns and launched into aggressive treatment. Weeks of chemotherapy that left me feeling totally exhausted.
There were days when I was too weak to get out of bed. On the days when he felt stronger, I did have the energy to exercise it was always at random times and most gyms were closed. I found the Snap Fitness location in Vinings and the 24/7 access gave me the ability to exercise on my own schedule. Finally, on August 6 of 2014, after 4 months of steady treatments, he was declared cancer free.
If it hadn’t been for cancer, I might still be working at my old job at the church. But that diagnosis was a wake-up call, and surviving the disease became the catalyst for me to stop being complacent, and act on my dreams of opening a gym of my own. I might not be so lucky next time. I could have worked at Peachtree my whole life, but it wasn’t in the best interest of my kids and my wife.
Now, as I watch my long-time dream become a reality, I am extremely grateful for all the support from my family and friends. None of this would have been possible without my wife Lina Michaelides. Lina has been my biggest supporter and a rock for our family. I am also thankful for the trial and tribulations, without those obstacles I would have never left my comfort zone.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I first opened the gym in January 2016 the City of Sandy Springs shut down the immediate intersection next to my location. This made it almost impossible for members to get to the gym. I lost almost all the member that had joined and I no longer had that “NEW” gym feel.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Snap Fitness Sandy Springs – what should we know?
Our facilities at Snap Fitness Sandy Springs feature 24/7 access, access to all 2,000 Snap locations worldwide, the best Personal Trainers, MyZone Heart rate technology, the industry’s best cardio/strength equipment and a safe, secure environment to help you reach your fitness goals. Get started with a fast, convenient and affordable workout.
Minutes from your home our boutique style gym gives you more for your money. Enjoy a better experience, and achieve better results.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife Lina Michaelides and my parents Margaret and Kyriakos Michaelides.
Contact Info:
- Address: 220 Sandy Springs Circle 141
- Website: www.snapfitness.com/sandysprings
- Phone: 4042770372
- Email: sandysprings@snapfitness.com
- Instagram: snapfitness_sandysprings
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/snapfitnesssandysprings
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