17/12/2023
Goodbye from Lindaā¦ š
This week was my goodbye to the members of Rock Solid Fitnessā¦.as the gym is being handed over to the new owners in the coming weeks. Of course, there are a few things I would love to say as I go. I donāt even get to see everyone in person, so hereās my goodbye message (sorryā¦. Itās long)
The journey of creating and growing Rock Solid Fitness, without a doubt, has changed me as a person, and I hope and believe that it has for others too. After having a few years of rest and downtime I guess I was ready for a new challenge. I didnāt know what it would be exactly and it just happened through chance I guess. Anyone who asks me how it all started will hear that it was probably hiking the Kokoda track that really did it. That was one of the most challenging things Iāve done, both physically and mentally and I really saw the value in pushing your body to itās limits, and what that can actually do for your mental health.
I became passionate about sharing that with others. Knowing that there was such a strong connection between the 2 things and how life changing they could be, it was just something I wanted to share. I came home and the idea grew on me to study and become a qualified PT. I donāt love study and I didnāt find that part fun at all, but got it done. And the passion was still there, but I found that I hated being in a gym. I felt intimidated and self conscious, and all the things that I didnāt feel on that life-changing hike. It was hard to work out what it was, but I realized that it wasnāt just the physical hard work that was so good, because I was doing that in a gym, but the effect definitely wasnāt the same. I wanted to push hard but not be surrounded by the pressure to look a certain way.
From that idea, Rock Solid started. From just a few of us training on the riverbank, to the little shed with small groups and PTs. When the opportunity came up in the building weāre in now down on the riverbank, it seemed to good to be true.
We hit the ground running, literally and figuratively. I was blown away by the support & the amazing people that became part of the community. It really was like a family. The classes grew, we had school groups through for sport and so much happening. I have made friends that will be friends for life through this journey. And there are others who have formed friendships and relationships from their connections at Rock Solid too.
During this time, as many of you know, we had a break in at the gym, soon followed by the floods, which flooded our house. The opening of the gym and these other events really took their toll on me personally. I was so invested in taking care of the members and being there for everyone, but at that time, I knew that I wasnāt taking care of myself. Without a doubt, it was the beginning of a constant tug-o-war for meā¦. When I took time out for myself, I felt guilty and like I was letting down the members, but when I invested myself more at Rock Solid, I wasnāt doing what I needed to do to recover. Interestinglyā¦. It wasnāt lost on me that the focus of Rock Solid ā better mental health through strength and fitness ā was working for everyone except me. I will forever be grateful for the community of Rock Solid who supported each other, as well as the trainers who took my place.
Which brings me to the trainersā¦ wow was it hard to hand over the reins. I wanted so much for our members. Not just fitness training, but trainers who understood how hard it can be to walk into a new gym for the first time. Who supported people who didnāt always feel good about themselves. Who looked out for everyone on a personal level. Managing people isnāt my strongest suit, Iām an introvert through and through and normally Iād just rather do things myself, but I knew that with the growth of the gym, it needed more than I could give.
Without a doubt, the trainers we have now are absolutely exceptional. I truly mean that. They genuinely care about the people and come from a place of wanting the best for members, not from a place of ego. I canāt say thank you enough, for the way you have all taken over and run things and allowed me to step away. Because of this, I knew that I was able to completely step back from Rock Solid and find new owners to take it on.
The next few weeks will see the transition of the gym to new owners, who will bring new ideas and energy to the gym. I know the members are busting to hear moreā¦ it wonāt be long now! By the time youāve celebrated Christmas and seen in the new year, there will be announcements about whatās next.
For me personally, I am feeling so grateful for the people I now have around me. Iām a big believer that you become like the people you spend the most time with, and Iām grateful for those in my life. Iām regaining my strength and fitness, which ironically I lost so much of while I was helping everyone else get fitter and stronger! Iāve taken a lot of time out to refocus on what matters most to me and what I want from life. I believe that my role was to set this gym up, and it now feels good to allow others to come in and take it from here.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Rock Solid Fitness, who supported it right from the start and who has joined us through the years. Every single person who has come and gone or been a part in any way, thank you. By stepping away, I realised that it never was about me anyway. It was all about the people.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope the coming year is one filled with love, health and strength!
These photos are a bit of a trip down memory laneā¦. Itās been nostalgic for me going back through them and looking at whatās happened over the years. Iām still a big believer in working hard physically to feel better mentally and I hope to see many of you around at parkrun and other local sports. Itās so important to find your tribe & keep striving to be the best you can be. ā¤ļøLinda
