Holiday Break BLOG #1

Over the next week and some change I have off from my day job. I am generally restless and need something to fill my time (partly why I opened a gym). So, I have decided to write a series of blogs for all of my loyal readers. Not sure what direction these will take but I hope to give everyone some motivation for the New Year and much appreciation for helping me through this past year.

2015 started with the future of 410 in doubt. We were being forced out of our old location to make way for a bunch of awesome homes. As of a few weeks ago they have started building these 1,000 square-foot, over-priced, cookie cutter homes against the backdrop of a storage complex off of a run down alley. Luckily, we found a new place with a few months to spare and had the help of the great 410 community during our move and set-up.

After the move, things calmed down for a few months. In early March I had an abrupt job change. I wasn’t expecting to have to go back to a full-time job. My goal for over a year was to make 410 my full-time job. Priorities changed and I made the switch back to a more career oriented position.

Three weeks into my new adventure we received devastating news. My father was diagnoses with pancreatic adenocarcinoma or pancreatic cancer. The prognosis was bad but better than most with this type of cancer. We were optimistic. The next few months were harder than anything I have ever dealt with in my life. Many hours were spent at Johns Hopkins with my father. As many of you know Gary Sr. was only able to battle until early June. I series of setbacks only allowed him one week of chemo and from there the cancer took over.

This period of my life was and continues to be tough. But it has been made bearable by having an escape with great people. 410 has played a massive role in keeping me sane. I never knew what part of my life 410 would play. I opened this gym up to help people and to help my self escape a day job. However, it seems to have taken on the role of an extended family. I think/hope everyone feels that way. Those that don’t get what we have tend to move on rather quickly.

We(the 410 community) have something that I feel is once in a life time. A truly special thing that can only be brought about by getting like-minded and generally awesome people together. See, I have learned that 410 is much more than a gym. It is a family of people who just happen to share the same interest in being fit and healthy.

Collectively, we know more about each others personalities than those we work with or spend spare time with (maybe not spouses). I don’t know what 2016 will hold. 2015 definitely threw some curveballs. But whatever I end getting my self into I hope it is with the back of the 410 family.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Gary