12/06/2026
Congratulations supporting the wellness of our community and a great business milestone
As we celebrate 3 years in business, it has given us the opportunity to reflect on why we started, what we’ve achieved and where we are going. Our vision and our why has never changed, it always has and always will be about our community.
Owning our own gym in Shearwater was a 10 year dream, rather than wait and always think what if, in 2023 we took the leap, sold our home and started SHF from the ground up. We had never ran our own business, had to wear all the hats, whilst still working our 9-5’s and raising our young family. To be honest, we didn’t think we would make it past first the first 12 months. We hit burnout and were looking at any way we could to get out.
In year two we made some changes, we both dropped a few days of our 9-5’s to be in the business more. We learnt how to roll with the highs and lows of running a small business. We continued to stay true to our vision, investing every dollar back into the business with new equipment, painting the inside and outside and in late 2025 buying the building we are in.
In 2025 we grew our family from three to four, this brought many challenges - Alex taking long service and paternity leave to run the gym while Sam took maternity leave. We have been extremely lucky to have had an amazing team who have helped us create the welcoming community that is SHF and be in the gym when we haven’t been able to. We don’t share a lot of behind the scenes, more so because we are both hopeless with social media! The behind the scenes of running a small business with a four year old and 10 month old is chaos, often emails, social media and programming is done between naps or once everyone is asleep. It is messy, chaotic and exhausting but we also wouldn’t have it any other way.
We were recently asked the question “if you had the chance would you do it again?” We both said yes without hesitation. The community, friendships, laughs and impact on people’s confidence and health as a result of being apart of SHF is exactly why we do what we do.
To everyone who has been apart of our journey, members past and present - thankyou! We truly appreciate your support and wouldn’t be where we are today without it! 🤍
