08/13/2026
**JP Brannon — 14 Years Old to 19**
JP was **14 years old** when he joined the gym in June of 2021. He's 19 now and getting married soon!
Five years is a long time, especially when you're talking about a kid growing up.
When JP first joined, I used to get a LOT of complaints from a select few people around my age. 😂
He was cocky. He would camp out in the squat rack. He'd hang around machines and stations longer than he should. And I'll be the first to admit, I didn't handle every interaction with him perfectly. I had more than a few fairly harsh conversations with him.
But here's the thing about JP: **he always listened.**
Whether I was always right or not, he listened to what I had to say and worked toward getting better.
Fast forward five years and that 14-year-old kid is now 19, working in a business with his dad, getting ready to get married, and has developed into a young man with a fantastic attitude who brings a positive vibe into the gym every time he walks through the door.
Not every kid survives their teenage years with their gym membership still active. 😂
JP did.
And he's now a fantastic member who brings more to the table than some of the people who used to complain about him.
That experience is one of the reasons I get frustrated when I hear adults complain about **"kids these days."**
If you're going to complain about a teenager without ever giving them a chance, without ever taking a few minutes to explain gym etiquette, and without even attempting to help them understand what they're doing wrong... what's the point?
If a kid is camping out on a piece of equipment and sitting on their phone, maybe talk to them. Say, *"Hey man, mind if I work in?"* Explain how things work.
I've always found it funny when an adult complains about kids sitting on their phones between sets, only to look over and see that same adult on their phone during their workout.
"Oh, but they're on Instagram or TikTok and I'm on Facebook or YouTube."
😂 Come on.
Let's all work together. **It takes a village, remember?**
Now, I'm not saying every kid is going to respond appropriately. Some won't. And the ones who refuse to follow the rules will be asked to leave—regardless of their age.
I've lost count of the young members I've banned for six months because they weren't ready to follow the rules. After that, they were allowed to come back, sit down with me, and restart their membership.
Most of them were never a problem again.
I'm not saying anyone needs to spend an extra 30 minutes in the gym trying to mentor a teenager. I'm simply saying that sometimes taking **a few minutes to talk to a young person instead of immediately writing them off** can make a bigger difference than you realize.
Give them a chance.
Coach them.
Hold them accountable.
And sometimes, they'll surprise you.
**JP certainly did.**
Keep it up, JP. You're killing it in here! 👊
And thank you for all the kind words and encouragement I hear you giving to people in the gym every chance you get.
That's the kind of member I want around here.
Also check out his business when you get a chance!
www.chickenshine.net
