Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Austad.
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2009, my mom was doing CrossFit workouts and thought it would be something I would like. She was a nurse in Scottsdale, and the hospital opened a CrossFit gym for the employees. I liked the idea that a healthcare organization was providing a fitness model that cultivated community, so I started researching how to get started. In late 2009, my sister started doing CrossFit and quickly become a top-level athlete in the sport. By mid-2010, I was sold on the concept and believed it had the qualities to help people establish a strong sense of ownership of their health with fitness and awareness of outside habits like nutrition, sleep, and the importance of water. The summer of 2011 marked a new chapter for our family as we opened the doors to CrossFit Eagle Rock. With Los Angeles as our backdrop, my sister and I set out to build more than just a gym; we aimed to create a haven where individuals could discover their strength, guided by values of education, inclusivity, and personal growth. We introduced the Build-Up Series, a beginner’s guide to foundational movements, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their fitness level, felt welcomed and empowered. Our community grew, bonded not just by workouts but by a shared commitment to bettering themselves and each other.
As our community’s needs evolved, so did our vision, adding a second location, CrossFit Merge (2015). Transforming CrossFit Eagle Rock and CrossFit Merge into Nela Athletics, we embraced a broader mission to serve the diverse tapestry of Northeast LA. This rebranding was more than a name change; it represented our commitment to meeting each member where they were in their fitness journey. With two thriving locations, we expanded our offerings to include personal training and customized programs, emphasizing a philosophy that fitness is a personal journey, not a race to a finish line.
Landlord rental hikes forced us to close our second location in mid-2018 and bring everyone back to one location, our original Eagle Rock location.
The arrival of 2020 brought challenges that tested the strength and resilience of our community. The pandemic threatened the very foundation we had built, but we stood undeterred. With the support of our members, we pivoted to online classes, keeping our community connected in the face of isolation. We constructed an outdoor gym, a testament to our adaptability and commitment to our members’ health and safety. This period, though fraught with uncertainty, highlighted the unbreakable spirit of our community and reaffirmed our mission to provide a sanctuary for health and wellness.
Thirteen years later, Nela Athletics stands as a monument to the journeys of transformation it has fostered. From witnessing remarkable weight-loss achievements to celebrating the unions of couples who met under our roof, our gym has been the backdrop for countless stories of personal triumph. As a family, we’ve learned that the true strength of Nela Athletics lies not in the weight lifted but in the lives touched. Our journey continues, driven by the belief that together, we can face any challenge and emerge stronger. Here’s to the many more years of inspiring health, fostering community, and building resilience—one workout at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Early on, we didn’t have Yelp/Google reviews or much social media to utilize to share our story. I worked a full-time job and coached at night to make ends meet, and after I quit my job, I went back to work part-time after four months of not sure how to stay open. Then, we built the Beginners Series and leveraged Living Social/Groupon to sell a deal of the day that sparked tons of interest, and we grew from there. In March 2020, the pandemic ripped our hearts out with seeing clients losing focus on the strides they made and getting stuck in their homes. The gym sat empty for a couple of months, then we could only work out outside, so the gym ended up staying empty for over a year while a limited number of clients could come to each class. We did receive support to offset some of the losses and that helped out a lot.
Our biggest struggle with 2022 was when we no longer were receiving help and still not seeing people come back to group fitness classes. Our personal training started to grow again, but group fitness continued with unsustainable classes. This continued until the middle of 2023, when we brought the beginners series back and more community activities.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
At Nela Athletics, we believe in transforming lives through fitness and sustainable lifestyle changes. Our primary mission is to assist clients in achieving their fitness and weight loss goals, not just as short-term achievements but as lasting habits that pave the way for a healthier life. We specialize in personal training for individuals looking for specific results and also group classes for individuals looking for a fun class setting that teaches and pushes them to new levels. 1) Comprehensive Training Programs
Our training programs are meticulously designed to cater to individuals at various stages of their fitness journey. These programs are more than just workout routines; they are educational experiences that impart knowledge about maintaining optimal physical health. Our clients are guided through a series of regimented training sessions that progressively build their strength, stamina, and understanding of physical fitness.
2) Beginners Series Approach for Group Classes
Recognizing the challenges faced by newcomers in fitness, we offer a ‘Beginners Series’ during the initial two weeks. This program is specifically tailored to help beginners acclimatize to the demands of regular exercise. The series combines education and repetition, laying a solid foundation for future training. Upon completion, clients seamlessly transition to more advanced classes, where their skills and endurance are further honed.
3) Advanced Classes and Personalized Coaching
The Nela Athletic classes are designed to progressively challenge our clients. After the beginner’s series, each class will find themselves pushing boundaries and achieving new heights in their fitness journey. These classes come with scaling recommendations to ensure that each individual is working at their optimal intensity level. The classes are led by our team of dedicated coaches, who are not just instructors but motivators and educators.
4) Results-Driven Regimen
Our approach is results-oriented. We have developed our regimens to show quick, tangible results while simultaneously presenting challenges to keep our clients engaged and motivated. We set achievable goals, and upon reaching these milestones, we help our clients set their sights on the next targets, ensuring a continuous journey of improvement and self-discovery.
5) Empowering Coaching Staff
The backbone of Nela Athletics is our coaching staff. They are not just trainers; they are mentors who empower our athletes. Our coaches provide healthy eating recommendations and help clients remain accountable for their dietary choices. This holistic approach ensures that our clients are not just working out their bodies but are also nourishing them correctly with long-term solutions.
6) Community and Support
At Nela Athletics, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive community. We like to think we are the healthy “Cheers” TV show! Our clients are not just members; they are part of a family that motivates and supports each other. This sense of community is integral to our philosophy, as we believe that a supportive environment is key to sustaining long-term fitness and lifestyle changes.
Conclusion
In summary, Nela Athletics is more than a fitness center; it’s a lifestyle change catalyst. With our expert coaching, personalized programs, and supportive community, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve and maintain their ideal physical goals, fostering sustainable habits that extend well beyond the gym.
What matters most to you? Why?
We are a dedicated team to transforming lives through health and fitness, ensuring that every individual who crosses the threshold of Nela Athletics feels seen, supported, and empowered. Our mission is rooted in the belief that real people deserve real results, not just empty promises. This is why we’ve committed ourselves to providing a nurturing environment where anyone, regardless of their fitness level, can achieve their goals and feel great in their skin again.
We value the power of community, accountability, and personalized coaching, understanding that these elements are crucial for not only achieving fitness goals but also sustaining them. By focusing on a holistic approach that encompasses personal and group training, nutrition support, and lifestyle coaching, we aim to cater to the unique needs of our clients, offering them the flexibility to balance fitness with their busy lives.
At the heart of my mission lies the conviction that fitness is more than just a physical journey; it’s a transformative experience that can redefine what’s possible. Witnessing the joy and pride in our clients as they surpass their own expectations and achieve what once seemed ‘impossible’ fuels my passion and dedication to this work.
We prefer to foster a small, community-focused environment where every member is known by name, and their success is our collective triumph instead of an impersonal big commercial gym-looking numbers. By aligning our goals with those of our clients, we create a partnership rooted in mutual success and shared victories.
Ultimately, my mission with Nela Athletics is to change lives, one person at a time, through the power of health and fitness. It’s about more than just helping clients fit into their favorite jeans again; it’s about helping them rediscover their strength, confidence, and joy in living a healthy, active life.
Pricing:
- Reader Deal: $49 for Beginners Series Course!
- $164 – 2x per week for 4 weeks
- $219/mo – Unlimited 12 month commitment
- Personal Training starts at $129/60 minutes session, but as low as $99 with a package
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nelaathletics.com
- Instagram: @nela_athletics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nelaathletics/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nelaathletics
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nela-athletics-los-angeles
Image Credits
Dana Barsuhn
Jonny Long
