By Susan Ciancio
At F45, we understand the importance of functional movements, but one special man at F45 Hobart CBD, Tasmania, Australia, understands that more than most.
Jamie is an F45 coach at that location, and in the newest Functional Unleashed video, he tells his inspirational story of grit and determination—and it’s a story you don’t want to miss!
About three years ago, Jamie was in a horrific motorcycle accident. He broke his neck, suffered seven broken vertebrae in his back, and had a spinal cord injury that rendered him a quadriplegic. He had no idea whether he would be able to walk again, let alone get back into the gym.
But his determination, coupled with the support of his family, friends, and the F45 community during his hospitalization and rehab, kept his spirits up and helped him recover. He is now walking again, and though he still has challenges and difficult days, he leads the F45 gym community with a renewed sense of hope and a renewed passion for movement.
Jamie’s motorcycle accident gave him a new perspective on the ability to move, and it gave him a greater empathy for those with injuries. The things he once took for granted are things he now cherishes.
Jamie’s recovery journey has inspired the members of the F45 gym in Hobart, and they have only great things to say about the way that he interacts with them. Not only is he friendly and supportive, but he pushes them to achieve things they never thought possible. His words and his way of teaching inspire, but his story and his achievements after his accident help people see that they can overcome the battles they are facing. They realize that they are not alone in their struggles and that others face daily battles as well.
This unites the members of the F45 community and gives them a bond that cannot be found in traditional gyms, where people work out alone, barely getting to know those around them. At F45 gyms, the group workouts help people bond, they help them get to know each other, and they create friendships—friendships like those that motivated Jamie during his darkest days.
Jamie cannot say enough about the uniqueness of the F45 community and how the gym members and staff helped him through his recovery. They sent numerous videos with special messages that lifted his spirits and helped him through incredibly difficult days. As he said, his gym friends “will never know how special they were” to him.
Jamie encourages those sitting on the fence to put aside their fears of joining and to just take that first step. He understands that people may feel intimidated by joining F45 and that many people worry about joining a gym, thinking that they can’t keep up or that they may look silly trying to do workouts they have never done before. But he stresses that F45 coaches will work with everyone—no matter your fitness level, age, or ability, and they are uniquely trained to help you through any injuries. He stresses that everyone will fit in and that you will make some great friends.
This community experience is felt in all F45 gyms across the world. In fact, it’s one of the many reasons people are hooked after their first session. If this sounds like a community you would like to be part of, visit our site to find an F45 gym near you. We know you will find a great community and amazing leaders like those at F45 Hobart.
