JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Big things happen at 1501 North Main Street in the Springfield neighborhood of Jacksonville. Personal trainer and NS2 fitness training owner, Ryan McGriff couldn’t be more excited when his vision comes together. News4JAX got an early look.
“We’re going to have bikes, we’re going to have weights, dumbbells, what you call them,” said McGriff. “We’ll have the best of both worlds.”
There are years in development, but McGriff says this would be Jacksonville’s first fitness facility for women.
“It’s a phenomenal feeling to see it actually start now,” said McGriff. “I don’t take credit for it, I just moved on to a vision that was given to me.”
A vision that came through heartbreak. McGriff says his mother is struggling with the complications of not eating properly or staying active. He says these complications included high blood pressure and heart problems. He said she also had brain aneurism and died in 2012 at the age of 51.
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“Two days after my mother’s funeral, I got the vision to train all women,” said McGriff. “I tried to help my mother a little late, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help anyone now in my current condition.”
2/17/21 Springfield Gym (Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.)
With his personal tragedy, McGriff founded NS2 Fitness Training. He started with a few customers, but soon many more signed up. He still trains them near the Riverside Arts Market in Riverside, but with his own facility, McGriff wants women to know they can come to his company for training, nutrition, and community too.
“You can do your job here, like a Starbucks feeling,” said McGriff. “Basically we don’t want you to go!”
McGriff says starting a business his mother would be proud of is very important to him. As one of three, he referred to himself as “the mother’s boy”. He said she was fun, loving, and loved her family very much.
2/17/21 Springfield Gym (Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.)
“We never call our customers ‘customers’, we call them family,” said McGriff. “I wanted to build this structure around the business.”
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As always, motivation is key for anyone striving for a goal. For McGriff, it’s a simple motto, “Don’t make a wish, work for it.”
“That’s not just when it comes to results you want,” said McGriff. “That also comes to life, to marriages, relationships with people and your family.”
2/17/21 Springfield Gym (Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.)
As the husband and father of two young boys, McGriff’s goal is not only to save lives, but also to inspire others.
“I’m just trying to leave them a legacy,” said McGriff. “And show young black entrepreneurs that they can do the same.”
McGriff’s wife also owns the Ready Prep Go meal prep service, so that’s another perk. The goal is to open the gym in March. To find out how to register as a customer, click here:
The company can also be found on Instagram.
Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.
