[laughs] Yes, well, I used to be a mobile fitness trainer.I travelled around to peoples’ homes and businesses and offered personal training. When I decided that I wanted to set up a bricks and mortar business, I asked my clients what I should call it. They named it Philosophy because I was always telling them about how important it is to have a philosophy when it comes to training. So, yes, it is purely coincidental.

I opened three years ago.

Well, I’ve been a personal trainer now for 15 years. I’ve lived in Toronto for 10 years. I’m originally from Horseshoe Valley. I went to University of Western Ontario and did a double major in Health and Psychology.

I originally planned to work in a hospital setting. I didn’t know exactly what I’d do but that’s the world I thought I would be going into. I started training on a part-time basis and just sort of went from there.

When I finished school, I went to work for one of those big-box gyms. Well, it wasn’t a big box then, but it is now. It was much smaller. On the suggestion of my boss, the owner, I took over as the business director and that’s when I knew I found my place.

Running the business side of fitness was perfect for me, and I’d never thought of it before. I always planned to be on the service side of training but it was the business that really spoke to me. And that’s when I started my own business as a mobile trainer. It was great but I reached a point where I couldn’t grow my business any larger.

Working with one client at a time, and when you factor in travelling all over the city, it just became impossible to get any bigger without opening a gym.

I didn’t originally plan to open a gym here. I was just looking for a gym for myself, to work out. I looked around and there was nothing that was really working for me, nothing that incorporated a philosophy.

So, I decided to create the kind of gym where I would want to be a member.

I’ve never seen a community that supports small businesses like this one. The people who live here really like to stay in the area. That’s why there are so many small businesses along St. Clair.

It’s diverse, friendly, warm. There’s such a sense of community here even though everyone is so different. Right now, I’m standing looking out the front window of my business and there are just so many different people, from all walks of life. We’ve got old buildings and new condos, working-class homes and mansions. There’s just so much diversity and that creates such a strong sense of community.

Come and check it out. There are so many cool, new businesses opening. If you’re thinking of moving here, get in now.