GYMTOPIA SERIES
LIFE AFTER WAR
Ray Algar reports on a joint US mission to bring war veterans and communities together
I
magine you’re a 23-year old American soldier deployed to western Afghanistan. Life is highly organised as it’s mission- driven. Every day, your life – and those of
your comrades – depends on you bringing your ‘A game’ to the battlefield in pursuit of the shared mission. You’re a valued part of a team and, if the day came when you had to sacrifice your life in pursuit of the mission, or to protect a comrade, you’d do it – all would – because you’re a team. But what happens when the mission ends
Gymtopia – a place where clubs do social good
and it’s time to return home and transition to life as a civilian? Life after war should be a far simpler mission, but for far too many US military veterans it’s one they’re poorly equipped to deal with. Adjusting to the rhythm of civilian life becomes a daily challenge because it now lacks purpose, and those unique skills acquired and honed on the battlefield are not in demand here. For many, this can lead to depression and addiction to alcohol and drugs.
Step up Team RWB Mike Erwin, a US Army major, had the foresight to recognise that the reintegration of war veterans into civilian life would become increasingly challenging given the rise in overseas deployments; an estimated one million US military personnel will retire or separate from the military in the next five years. So Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a non-profit organisation, was founded in 2010 with its own mission: to
Gymtopia was conceived by founder and chief engagement officer Ray Algar, who believes the global health and fitness industry has enormous influence and potential to do good in the world, beyond its immediate customers. The idea of Gymtopia is simple: to curate and spread remarkable stories in which the fitness industry uses its influence to reach out and support an external community in need. It was created with the generous support of five organisations: Companhia Athletica, Gantner Technologies, Les Mills, Retention Management and The Gym Group. Read more stories and submit your own:
www.Gymtopia.org
enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to people in their community through physical and social activity. War veterans often report feeling ‘disconnected’ when they
return home; Team RWB’s vision is to increase the connection between America’s combat veterans and their communities.
Team RWB Chapters The organisation has created local groups, or ‘chapters’, across the United States, and these host regular activities that provide an opportunity for veterans and the community to come together. That may be a weekly running group, hike, ball game or post-race gathering where other war veterans meet each other – but more importantly, where they meet members of their local community, because it’s the sense of belonging that they truly crave.
Enter Iron Tribe Fitness Iron Tribe Fitness is a fast-growing American functional training brand that was also founded in 2010. Iron Tribe Fitness does not have members or clients but ‘athletes’, and there are just 300 of them at each gym. These small ‘tribes’, drawn from all parts of a local community, meet as a group for 45-minute classes based on a simple system of full body movements in addition to personal coaching.
A purpose beyond fitness Forrest Walden founded Iron Tribe Fitness, and from the outset believed the organisation possessed the ability to achieve more than merely transforming the lives of its own
Iron Tribe has just 300 ‘athletes’ per club
‘athletes’. It operates by the philosophy that fitness has a greater purpose, and its gyms are a platform to help others. The philosophy is summed up in this statement: “Yes, it’s
to teach healthy lifestyles. Yes, it’s to be a leader in results- based fitness. Yes, it’s to encourage fellowship within our
48 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital September 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
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