In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Mark Smith
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Kelowna.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Haley Sofonoff is my favorite person to spend time with as we have so many things in common and we love to challenge each other in every aspect of life. Haley also puts me in my place when I think I know everything and I don’t.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would love to go to San Diego, California as I love water and beaches. I would be able to just relax from my busy schedule here!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
PLAY! Just because I am always looking for new workout attire and shoes.
What is your favourite activity?
CrossFit.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
All of the above, I love to eat crappy food so there would be a lot more on this list if I made it.
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
THE FIITBOX is the hidden gem I enjoy every day (until it gets too busy to be hidden).
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I don’t get embarrassed very easily not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
When I was working at another gym in town I realized that we needed a different type of facility in Kelowna. Most facilities in town are the same in my opinion, whether it is a conventional gym, CrossFit gym, or boot camp gym, they all have one option. They are either all class based at a high price or a lower price with no guidance. This is where I came up with my business plan to open The FIITBOX. It has the best of everything: key fob entrance, classes if you want, train on your own with provided workouts or do your own thing. There are no machines just free weights, pullup bars, rowers, sleds and lots of space to move.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I was a 10-year-old playing hockey in the B.C. best ever tournament and was able to compete against the best kids in Canada.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I give my free time to young aspiring hockey players on ice with their teams. I love to see the young kids with a smile on their face progressing and getting better at the sport they love.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Terrorism
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Anything that involves the beaches or water.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
If I need to spend time alone I will jump on my motorcycle and go for a nice long ride all afternoon.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to see some extra attention paid to the homeless population in Kelowna as I feel everyone needs some shelter for their wellbeing.
If you could be granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
For people to realize how important it really is to eat healthy and use weights for resistance training. I feel there are far too many people that are not utilizing the potential of their body and mind.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I listen to heavy metal music when I am alone. I don’t seem like the “type”, so it catches a lot of people off guard.
What is the name of your business/organization?
The FIITBOX (FIIT=functional interval intense training)
What does your business do?
We get people in shape! But in all seriousness, The FIITBOX creates an atmosphere where people can come and do the fitness of their choice. The FIITBOX is unique as the members have guidance if they choose to follow a whiteboard full of always-changing daily workouts that I provide. We have been open for just over a year and there has never been the same workout posted (unless it is a retest to see how much people have progressed). The FIITBOX is a key fob entrance gym so members can come and go as they please, as many times as they want, seven days a week. The other side of The FIITBOX is the training side where myself and other trainers use the facility to help clients reach their fitness goals. At The FIITBOX we have 1 on 1 clients as well as small group classes daily. I myself have many aspiring hockey players looking to take their game to the next level by getting stronger and faster for the season.
How to people connect with you through social media?
You can find us on Facebook at The FIITBOX and on Instagram as @thefiitbox
Where can people find your business online?
www.thefiitbox.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
I started this business as I previously had a personal training client base and needed a place to train everyone. I also didn’t have a place to workout in Kelowna. I went and “fitnessed” at almost every facility in town and there wasn’t a place where I could perform my workouts with all the equipment in a certain area that I needed. All of the facilities in town are either conventional gyms that are catered to bodybuilding with a lot of machines and very limited space or facilities that were class based and people had to perform the workouts they prescribed only for an hour long at a high price. This had me thinking that there has to be a place where I can either do my own thing, and The FIITBOX was born. The facility is an open gym all the time, as I feel to get the best results people need to work on their weaknesses and the only way to do that is to have space and freedom.
What is the goal of your business?
The goal of The FIITBOX is to grow into a facility with a great reputation for being a friendly atmosphere and producing results for every single member. In the future my goal is to grow the business to a few different locations to help even more people reach their health and fitness goals.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
I played hockey for a living for 13 years which was a tough profession both mentally and physically. Starting a business is very stressful but I believe I have struggled enough in my life to teach me that nothing worthwhile is easy.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would not change a single thing.
Why do you think it is important to shop local?
I believe it is important to shop local because local families are trying to support their household and do something that they are passionate about.
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I want to give a shout out to all the new and established business owners out there giving it there best effort and having the courage to open something they are passionate about and willing to take the risk of failure. Being an Owner/CEO is not an easy task and I applaud everyone who follows that path.
Other information you would like to share:
If you haven’t tried functional fitness before and are looking to get into the best shape of your life both mentally and physically don’t hesitate to give The FIITBOX a try. I promise it is something you have never done before and will become addicted very quickly to this type of work and the results one can achieve in a short period of time.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
