We had the good fortune of connecting with Gerardo Lira and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gerardo, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Behind the thought process or our vision was not only to create a local small gym for the up coming development in Fort Worth but to share our knowledge on fundamentals, strength training, and most importantly health.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We established back in 2017,, at another small gym located in Saginaw Texas. Both Roy and I decided to start our own brand that turned into a LLC. Shortly after around May of 2018 I decided to quit my full time job and ended up renting a small 600 sqft personal building where we purchased a set of dumbbells and a giant Rig. Throughout this challenge my partner Roy was diagnost with Testicular cancer and had to slow down improvements in the gym while training a group of solid 7 clients, After a while we were able to pick back up and unfortunately we were also hit with COVID-19, so it forced me to shut down and had no plan B so I decided to take that equipment purchase just a little more and people trusted us to train in the backyard to conitinue business and in that process we were working on another side of a building and that was an additional 1700sqft. By the time we were actually able to open back up again we decided to go 24/7 and let people use our gym. Now we have 85 members in 2 months and hope to continue to grow. Our brand and message always is “Did you workout today?”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well I would start at a workout at the gym every day at 8AM early bird gets the worm mentality and go enjoy a cup or Coffee up the street at Race Street coffee, up there street is a Axe throwing place and also Top Golf, then finish some Lunch at a restaurant up the street called Lucitas Cocina

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes, I have 2 ladies who have both joined our gym who also run their own business and photography. She goes by Nikki Flims and her GF Christina Terral. Both amazing and inspiring ladies

Instagram: @Fortworthbarbell

Facebook: @fortworthbarbell

Image Credits
NikkiFilms is here Instagram Name

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.