Why I Opened Freedom Fitness
- Jan 7
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 14
A Story of Squats, Stubbornness, and a Few “Feck It” Moments!
Let me take you back to my early days – teenage me was obsessed with looking fit, and not just being fit (which I absolutely was, thanks to hockey, tennis, and even a half-Ironman in my late 20's). Somehow, actual fitness wasn’t enough for my warped little head unless I looked like I could moonlight as a fitness model. Faulty thinking? Oh, absolutely. 40-something me would like a word with teenage me.
Fast forward to 2011 (or maybe 2012), and life threw me a curveball. After years of pounding pavements and swimming endless lengths in my triathlon training, I got my first real wake-up call: a niggle in my knee. And by “niggle,” I mean it stopped me from running altogether. Cue my pal suggesting we try a local kettlebell class. "What are kettlebells?", I cry!
I also hear you thinking, “Wait – you didn’t do strength training during triathlon training?” Nope. Shocking, I know. Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t fall apart sooner.
My First Kettlebell Class: Hooked in One Swing
One class, and I was sold. Fast forward a few years in 2014, and there I was, swinging kettlebells over my head in Russia, representing Ireland in Girevoy Sport at amateur level. Yes, me – the one who couldn’t spell kettlebell in 2011 – now in Russia competing. Life, eh?
That first kettlebell gym was also where I discovered my grá for helping people move and lift better. The teacher in me (who used to give grinds, teach college tutorials, and even lecture part-time) came out swinging – literally. I’d see someone struggling, and before I knew it, I was helping them out. The gym owner spotted my “natural flair” and suggested I get certified to teach. So, off I went, kettlebell certificate in hand, ready to share the joy of swinging heavy things.
From Skinny Obsession to Strong Passion
Around 2012, my restrictive 'obsessed with being skinny' mindset started shifting. I realised all those years of bonkers dieting (seriously, someone could write a sitcom about my efforts) hadn’t done me any favours. As my training got more serious, I started looking into how nutrition could actually fuel and support me, rather than just starve me.
This was the turning point for my mindset. All of a sudden, I stopped obsessing over what my body looked like and started celebrating and being proud of what my body could do. The weight I lifted, the endurance I built, the way I moved – these became the things that mattered. And let me tell you, that shift changed my life for the absolute better. It wasn’t about chasing a number on the scales anymore or looking a certain way – it was about strength, confidence, and finally feeling good in my own skin.
For the first time, instead of being overly restrictive with my diet, I started adding things to my diet that were missing. As a vegetarian for 17 years, I realised I wasn’t getting nearly enough protein to fuel my training. I tried every powder, shake, and high-protein snack under the sun, but it wasn’t enough. On Christmas Day 2012, I finally said, “Feck it!” and had turkey. Best decision ever. Sorry, tofu. That simple change helped me focus on what my body needed, instead of what I thought I had to avoid.
From Engineer to Entrepreneur
By 2014, I was diving headfirst into personal training and nutrition coaching certifications. At the same time, my engineering career was winding down. I’d spent 14 years in the field (10 of which were in college), but I realised I wasn’t cut out for the “blue-sky research” life as a postdoc. Teaching someone to do a kettlebell swing correctly in five minutes and hearing them say, “My back doesn’t hurt anymore!”? Now that gave me a buzz.
So, I jacked in the engineering job and decided to give fitness and nutrition coaching a proper go. Feck it, why not? My dining table became my first office, my laptop my first employee, and soon enough, I was running nutrition seminars around the country, falling in love with the barbell, and coaching part-time in gyms.
The Freedom Fitness “Feck It” Moment
The real turning point came in mid 2017 when my friend Leanne asked me to cover her classes at her studio in Kilcoole while she went on maternity leave. “Kilcoole? That’s miles away!” was my first reaction. (It’s not. It’s about 10 minutes further down the road from the gym I was training in back then.) My second reaction was "feck it, why not!", and so I did.
When Leanne decided not to renew her lease in December 2017, she casually suggested I take over the space. My initial reaction? “Jesus, no! I’ve no clients, and I live 45 minutes away!” But a week before Christmas, while browsing books for my dad in Dubray’s, I had a feck it moment and called the landlord.
The landlord knew I didn’t have a local client base, so he offered me a discount on the lease for the first three months. Basically, he said, “See if you can make it work.” And if you know me at all, you’ll know that I made it my mission to make it work.
On January 2nd, 2018, Freedom Fitness officially opened its doors with one squat rack, a few borrowed barbells and kettlebells, and some half-price TRX straps I grabbed in the January sales. I had 10 members, no financial backing, no plan, and not a clue how to run a business. But I did have grit, stubbornness, and a refusal to fail.
More importantly, I knew I had to run an enjoyable strength class. I wasn’t going to run random classes and randomly throw weights around for the sake of it – I wanted every class to make people feel stronger, move better, and leave thinking, “Wow, that was worth it.”
By April, the lease went up to full price. I installed three new squat racks and added proper rubber flooring that summer. By the end of 2018, Freedom Fitness was well and truly established.
Seven Years Later: What’s Changed?
Well, everything. Back in 2018, I had one squat rack, a handful of weights, and a makeshift setup that involved a lot of borrowing and bargain shopping. Now? We’ve got a fully kitted-out strength training studio with multiple racks, professional-grade equipment, and a schedule packed with classes that cater to everyone – from teens to postnatal mums to men and women who never thought they’d step foot in a gym.
And yes, I still have the grit, determination, and an unwavering will to succeed – that hasn’t gone anywhere. But here’s what’s different: I’m not doing it alone anymore. Over the years, I’ve brought on a team of brilliant coaches who share my passion for helping people move better, feel stronger, and thrive. They’ve been absolute lifesavers, making it possible to grow Freedom Fitness into what it is today without me burning out or losing the plot entirely.
And then there’s the business mentoring I’ve invested in. Because let’s be real – passion alone doesn’t pay the bills, keep the lights on, or replace a busted barbell. I’ve learned that running a gym isn’t just about creating a great environment for members – it’s also about making the hard decisions that ensure Freedom Fitness keeps its doors open well into the future.
Cue the occasional moan about our cancellation policy – but honestly, if you want a gym here that you can still go to in five years, this is what it takes. Running a successful business means balancing the books, planning for growth, and making sure this place isn’t just surviving but thriving.
Freedom Fitness today is unrecognisable from where it started – and that’s exactly how it should be. From foamy floors and borrowed kettlebells to a thriving gym full of energy and laughter every day, it continues to be one helluva a ride.
Through it all, our mission has stayed the same: Building a Strong Community of Confident and Happy People Who Live Life with Freedom and Fearlessness.
Why Freedom Fitness?
Strength training isn’t just about muscles – it changes your life. It builds confidence, reduces stress, and gives you a sense of control over your body and mind. It frees you from self-doubt, low self-esteem, and all the nonsense the fitness world throws at us – the fad diets, the “no pain, no gain” rubbish, and the idea that you need to look a certain way to belong in a gym.
At Freedom Fitness, it’s about more than lifting weights. It’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you thought. It’s about showing up, even when life feels overwhelming, and feeling stronger – physically, mentally, and emotionally – every time you leave.
Seven years later, here we are. And while we’ve grown (hello more equipment and more members than I could’ve dreamed of), the mission hasn’t changed. It’s still about strength – real, life-changing strength – and the confidence that comes with it.
So, if you’ve read this far, fair play. And if you’re ready to see what all the fuss is about, come and see us. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to show up. We’ll take it from there – with plenty of laughs, some hard work, and maybe a sore leg or two (but in the good way).
See you in the gym,
About Karen
Hi, I’m Karen, owner of Freedom Fitness and a coach who’s been through it all - fad diets, crazy training schedules, and misguided goals. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about where to start. That’s why I built Freedom Fitness: to help people find strength, confidence, and balance - without the guilt or extremes.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to fad diets and start feeling better in your own skin, come see what we’re about at Freedom Fitness..
Got questions or want to chat about your goals? Drop a comment below, or get in touch.
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