February 13, 2017

Meet Michael Barnard of MBX Athletics in Northridge

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Barnard.

Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
MBX stands for mind, body, motivation and belief. I have been in fitness for 25 years and decided to leave my job at a bank to pursue my dream, which was changing people’s lives. Before my grandfather died, I promised him that I would focus my love for allowing people to live longer by introducing fitness with a positive environment, but most importantly, a supportive community. We have been in business for around 5 years and we work directly with 4 charities. The difference between my charities and typical ones you hear about all the time, I deal with people directly. There is no corporation or middle man per say. I want to know more about people that need help and want to build a relationship with them that means more than money or a donation.

It’s been a long road considering we started with nothing and now have over 150 members and counting. We train literally any age or fitness level. My youngest member is 6 years old! I’ve been blessed with the ability to change people’s lives and get them to live longer and enjoy life. Whether it’s being able to play with their kids again, or being morbidly obese and not being able to walk, to getting them to walk more than 10 feet after a month, anything is possible

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
First off, that question always makes me laugh and considering I own 3 companies now, I’ve always been pushed to the brink of quitting. You ask any real entrepreneur, not these fake ass IG chumps. Ask a real entrepreneur if they ever got depressed, lost everything, had so many bills pile up they thought everything was over. Then they found that one thing, that one fuckin thing. It’s called “I WILL”.

If this shit was easy, everyone would own their own business or work with charities. I’ve lost my house, 401k, thousands of dollars and almost my family. Not everyone is built to work 20 hour days and keep grinding because of something they believe in. There is no secret to owning a business or starting your own venture. Either you want to fuckin succeed or someone else will. We have one life and the best advice I ever got was “You are going to DIE”. It’s life and the weak get weeded out and the strong get stronger. Either you let people run over you or you build a road for your dreams and fuckin go get it. Simple but people are scared and constantly fear the unknown.

I grew up in San Fernando, barely graduated high school with a 2.1 and was a college drop out. Hell no, it’s not been a smooth road and I’m glad it wasn’t because I fucking earned this.

MBX Athletics – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our business caters to everyone. Age and fitness level mean nothing. As a client, all we expect is for you to walk in the door and it’s our job to do the rest. It’s that simple. There needs to be a value behind people coming to your business over the others. Of course there is competition on both a fitness side and pricing end. At the end of the day, we value our members and want them to not only succeed in the gym but also life. I have some members that spend 3 to 4 hours a day here. Whether it be them just doing a class and then hanging out to help or even do their homework. Its all about the support and environment. I’m not just a coach, I’m a friend and for some, a mentor.

You could have the best trainers and all the equipment in the world but if you don’t have a tangible goal or value, the client will lose interest. People like being pushed and they like being out of their comfort zone. They just don’t know how to get there, and that’s our job. We need to show them their true potential.

I personally specialize in morbidly obese individuals. It’s a black and white type of client. They have an option to live and change their habits or they die. I don’t bullshit with people. This is LIFE! One of my current clients came in at 410lbs and is currently at 273lbs with no surgery or starving herself. People always ask me how she did it. It’s simple, she wanted to be alive.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
There is success every day. Give yourself a high five and move on to the next. I understand my successes but don’t dwell on them. When I die, I’ll think about all my successes, right now, I’m trying to change people’s lives

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