Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Miller.
Hi Eric, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Oh man, I don’t even know where to start. From broken home kid, to Chatsworth High Baseball Player, to running with the wrong crowds and battling hardships, to choosing Health & Fitness in 2010.
Construction got me through college, fully self paid Matador graduate (Cal State Northridge University) with a degree in Kinesiology. Like many I thought Physical Therapy, Athletic Trainer, Strength & Conditioning, and even working with special populations (geriatric, youth, disabled, aquatics). Long story short I got experience through various internships involving all the above but none of it was for me as I seen its different opportunities in the world and I wanted a bigger reach to the public.
Corporate Wellness fell in my lap as I worked for a worldwide company in the industry and I worked my way up the corporate ladder for 6 years from intern, to front desk, to group ex instructor (yes even spin and yoga) to personal trainer, to assistant manager, to manager, to area manager. We contracted with companies like Yahoo, Disney, Kaiser, including many others and we statistically were able to show that fitness made better employees (less sick days, productivity, etc.). I even picked up bodybuilding for 5 years stepping on stage which all of these things led to a roster of 60+ in person clients while managing clubs. I’m a person that does not like ceilings nor restriction to be creative so I quit my salaried job as manager.
Through those years I founded the name Uplifted Athletics, the logo, the motto “Lift Others Up” and began positioning myself to open my own facility all by 2017. A very pivotal year for me. I was working as a full-time entrepreneur already for 6 years but now I was on my own (no secure paycheck) and I had just gotten married to my beautiful wife (she is the one that keeps my craziness grounded – she is my better half). It was my mission to bring lifting weights in a more structured manner to large group settings unlike many circuit style gyms that exercise to the clock (at Uplifted Athletics we exercise to sets and reps). It was my mission to educate health benefits through the product and I wanted to bring a soft selling, community building type environment that welcomes all fitness levels. My business partner that came along in 2018 was the best man at my wedding and he envisioned what I saw and brought even more to the table with his vision and expertise. I even supported his mission of becoming a firefighter while putting up the business (it was a tough 2019 but he did it and he is definitely my other marriage/partnership in life).
We are 6.5 years into business beating all statistics/odds that we are a viable business and have something very special. Surviving the pandemic, giving back to the community, worked our way up to 15 employees, and focusing on not just providing for our 250-300 members but providing career opportunities/internships for growth mindset individuals in the field.
2020 was another pivotal year as my son was born. He is another reason why I choose life and what I do. It’s been a mission of mine now as I’ve stepped away from the training floor a little bit (I’m still there just less) to become the best leader/mentor possible and keep putting together championship teams to set us up for location 2, 3, 4 and so on. My job now is to steer the ship and show others the way. Being the one in charge 15 paychecks/their livelihood, and the fitness spot to so many that call home carries a certain type of responsibility. One wrong financial decision or moving forward too fast with an un-calculated decision could mean the end of the business.
My life has been an absolute rollercoaster but my resilience, commitment, ability to pivot, adjust, and see things as opportunities rather than problems has been a thing I enjoy mastering. I simply will not be outworked until my mission is complete when I leave my legacy of lifting others up at all costs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No guidance and support from an early age was probably the toughest, my family’s health declines made life just a little harder, financial hardship left no choice but for me to work more and work harder, and navigating growth you must seek different mentors/support throughout. Every stage of life there’s a new arena you enter and if you are not well prepared nor calculated it will eat you alive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Here at Uplifted Athletics our mission is to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve, through our mantra of Lifting Others Up, by providing science-backed, purpose-driven workouts for our members in a safe, inviting, judgement-free zone.
In simple terms we take the guess work out from fitness for the busy career-oriented individual, with personalized coaching, weightlifting focused group classes, and a supportive community.
We properly intake all of our first timers whether you take a class or are interested in classes. We get to know you, we set goals, and guide you along your health & fitness journey. We understand that there is a lot of information out there, things can be confusing, you can be misled but it doesn’t have to be. That’s where we come in.
We offer classes 7 days a week and can set up a discovery call with you by the click of a button.
You can find us at www.UpliftedAthletics.com OR see what we are up to on Instagram @UpliftedAthletics
We encourage everyone to try multiple gyms and we hope that we leave a lasting impression that the staff at Uplifted Athletics truly cared and took the time.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, my wife Stacy for supporting me and my decisions. Behind every strong man there is stronger woman holding him up. My business partner Josh for the daily support and leadership he provides. To our wonderful staff acquired over the past 6+ years who believe in our core values as a business and show up every day. To our members believing in Uplifted Athletics and the hard work that we put forth (we do it for our people 100%).
Pricing:
- Try our product for FREE. 7 Day Class Access, Goal Setting Session, and a complimentary Personal Training Session.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.UpliftedAthletics.com
- Instagram: UpliftedAthletics
