Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Michaelides.
Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I lost my job as a supply chain consultant in March of 2014. I was a member at the gym, but I got laid off so I went to quit the gym. The owner at the time offered me an alternative. I could help out with the day to day operations of the gym while I was looking for a job, in exchange for membership. Shortly thereafter I earned my CrossFit Level 1 Coaching Certificate and began to coach classes when other coaches were not available.
Additionally, I began to take on more responsibility regarding the daily gym operations.
In May of 2014, I had taken over managing most aspects of the gym’s operations, and by the end of the year, the gym began to earn a profit. A bunch of other things happened, and on October first of 2015, I officially became the owner of CrossFit Downtown Atlanta.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The only challenges I faced were having to move the gym after owning it for 2 months because a developer bought our old space, and changing up my coaching staff as a result of incompatible views on the future of the gym. Those were hard decisions, but 2 of the best things I could have ever done for the gym.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about CrossFit Downtown Atlanta – what should we know?
We Are Not Just a Gym—We Use Fitness to Build Strong Bodies and Healthy Communities. Don’t worry about your current fitness level – all CrossFit workouts are scalable. Even if you can’t do a single pushup, you can do CrossFit and quickly build a foundation of strength and cardiovascular fitness.
If you’re an athlete or a weekend warrior – tennis player, golfer, or mountain biker — you’ll love the variety CrossFit offers as a cross-training option, and you’ll quickly see improvements in your strength and endurance on the court, course or trail. Community is a large part of the CrossFit program, and the support and encouragement you get from coaches and other members will keep you motivated to reach your goals.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife, Autumn, for begrudgingly supporting this crazy notion of gym ownership. The former owner of the gym and now head intro coach, Anya Chambers, for giving me the opportunity to help her, and believing I was the right person to take over the gym. The community of gym members who have supported me my vision.
Pricing:
- Intro month is $200
- Unlimited Membership is $190 per month
- 3x Week is $170 per month
- 20% discount for families, teachers, students, first responders, military, veterans.
Contact Info:
- Address: 215B Chester Ave SE
- Website: www.cfdtatl.com
- Phone: 4047020548
- Email: michaelsquared@atlbarbell.com
- Instagram: @cfdowntownatl
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cfdowntownatl
- Twitter: @CrossFit_dtAtl
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/crossfit-downtown-atlanta-and-atl-barbell-atlanta-2
Image Credit:
Michael Michaelides, @kenzitainowphotography
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