It is finally happening! Kimberly Berg’s Rebel Fit Club will be opening our new headquarters site this August. This dream of mine is coming true after years of helping people and seeing them improve, yet feeling like there was still so much more to do. I’ve been brave during this journey, and at times I was scared and wondering if I was going to be able to make it happen. Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you face your fears despite of being scared.
For years my readers have been asking me when I planned on opening my own gym. To provide some background for those who are new to our program, I have been working with Parkinson’s exercise development and programming for about 12 years. This includes everything from research, to hot sweaty boxing gyms, and rainy flash mob dance performances. Prior to that I worked in orthopedic and cardiovascular rehab for over 25 years.
Four years ago, I started my own business coaching people with Parkinson’s in boxing and in a high intensity bootcamp circuit. In the beginning I taught just 2 classes each week (one level of ability). I’m thrilled to share that we currently have over 260 fighters in 32 classes each week at 6 sites! We teach classes to all levels and have several specialty classes, like a ladies-only class and a fighter-family workout (Rebel Team) classes.
Our rapid growth made me realize that I needed to start looking for our own gym space. I started searching for the perfect location three years ago. Unfortunately, the process included two years of horrific learning experiences and disappointments. However, I would rather not focus on that story today. I just want to share the positive side with you.
Despite the difficulties throughout the process, I never lost faith. I couldn’t. There was too much riding on this. Did I get discouraged at times? Oh yeah. I thought things like, “What if I run out of money before I run out of determination?”, and “Do people think I am just blowing smoke?”. But behind the scenes, I was scheming the entire time. I could taste it, and all intentions were on the prize.
I was determined to make this dream happen because it was for my tribe (my PD community), and it was important that I go after this, no matter the hurdle. I jumped over, crawled under, and when needed I just busted through those dang hurdles because I had a cheering team of supporters behind me all along the way. There were a few times when I was so determined to get things accomplished that I went above management’s heads to get straight answers, and I was warned not to try that stunt again.
But I got the information I needed to take the next step. Remember, being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared; it means you forge ahead despite being scared.
Never let anything stop you from your dreams. Sometimes when all HOPE seems lost is when a break-through happens. Sound familiar? A treatment? A cure?
I’m excited to introduce you to “The Rebel Fit Club”, the Northwest’s largest Parkinson’s focused gym. It will be all the best of what we have offered, plus so much more. The soft opening is scheduled for the first part of August, and our official open house party will be Saturday, September 14th.
Please save the date, come see our amazing facility, and experience brief sample classes (or just watch). We will have raffles, demos, and you will have the opportunity to meet the coaches who are behind the results you have seen in our videos.
We are result driven. Slowing the progression of the disease is first. Providing community and fun are a close second. It’s hard to keep going with Parkinson’s disease if what you’re doing is not enjoyable or if you’re lonely. You are never alone when you join The Rebel Fit Club. We will help you rediscover your fight, and you’ll be able to fight back alongside others who are going through a similar journey and understand. Come as you are – we’re family!