Hidden Gems: Meet Mark Campbell of CORE Strong Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Campbell.

Hi Mark, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I first started my business, CORE Strong Fitness, in the back of a chiropractic office in Lee’s Summit, MO. I was working for Dr. Black as his movement specialist and doing personal training in my off hours. I started personal training around a piece of equipment called the TRX Suspension trainer. I had noticed at the time, 2010 that there were group classes based around using the TRX. So I purchased another TRX and invited a couple of people to come try it out. From there, I saw that I could incorporate other equipment into the workouts to adapt for more people in class. I was running two classes a week in the evenings with four total TRX’s and anywhere between 0-10 people per class. Over the next couple of years, I expanded the classes I was teaching to six classes per week as well as my personal training and still working with the chiropractor when I had the opportunity to look at teaching classes out of the back of a gym in the crossroad in Kansas City in 2015. I then because and “official” business created a brand, logo, website and all the legal fun that comes with it. I was teaching morning classes in Kansas City and then evening classes in Lees Summit and would alternate days.

After a year of running both locations, still working for the chiropractor, I made a decision to leave the chiropractor and solely focus on building my business. I ran both locations for about a year and a half when I made the choice to close the Lee’s Summit location and put everything under one roof where I would be able to grow my business without stretching my self so then and 75% of my clients were traveling to both locations already.

Since that point, my business has continued to grow year after year. The biggest step is just ahead of us as we finally set out in our own location in the Westside of Kansas City starting June 1st.

We are beyond excited… and nervous for this new chapter in our business career but know without risk there is no reward.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I have learned a lot from other gym owners along the way. I didn’t start out know the right things to do or even when to do them but I learned along the way. I can remember one of the first times we had our new location I didn’t have anyone signed up for a class so I went to grab coffee. I received a phone call shortly after the start time of the class with someone telling me I had someone there for class…my heart sunk and I missed and opportunity for a new member. From that day forward, I learned to be hyper diligent on giving the best experience possible and keeping an eye on the schedule at all times!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
CORE Strong Fitness is Kansas City’s only TRX Training studio. We specialize in small group TRX functional training classes as well as personal training. I start CORE Strong Fitness in 2015 after becoming the first Certified TRX Black ranked coach, so in other words I am highly passionate about TRX training and have hired other highly passionate TRX coaches to bring a Fun, Welcoming and Challenge experience to our members.

What were you like growing up?
When I was a kid, I was a hyperactive, energetic kid that didn’t have much interest in academics. I was pretty shy and not very outgrowing but loved being around my friend and playing outside. I really liked dinosaurs, rocks and cheez-its, LOL. I was always active and never paid too close attention to what healthy food was since we grew up living paycheck to paycheck and on food stamps. I also loved playing soccer and basketball.

Pricing:

• Drop in Classes $25

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.corestrongkc.com
• Instagram: @corestrongkc
• Facebook: @corestrongkc
• Twitter: @corestrongkc
• Youtube: CORE Strong Fitness
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/T4avvfWpcgb

Image Credits
Austin J. Holt – Salt and Light Photography Jillian Farnsworth – Jillian Farnsworth Photography