What comes across immediately with Kevin is that he embodies the same DNA that most of us do , which includes a genuine love of the brand . “ It ’ s a very important part of my life ,” he said . “ All of the relationships with franchisees around the world and in the U . S . has meant the most to me . The passion for Gold ’ s Gym is what connects all of us .”
Through all the changes over the years , Kevin is grateful to still be part of the brand and to help shape it for the future . We recently took some time with him to hear his story and his vision for now and the future .
Gold ’ s Support Team Feature :
KEVIN CHRISTIE
Kevin is a veteran of the U . S . Marine Corps , growing up in a military family and making the commitment right out of high school . He spent time stationed at both Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton and served in the first Gulf War in the 1990 ’ s . While on active duty , Kevin got involved in weightlifting and body building competitions through Gold ’ s Gym Oceanside , California , where he had been working out while stationed at Camp Pendleton . Dave Zachry owned the gym at that time and introduced Kevin to Ed Connors . Over time , Ed became his mentor and really helped shape Kevin ’ s future in fitness . Following his military service , Kevin went to school in northern California but spent summers training in Venice at the Mecca . After college , Kevin moved back to southern California and worked as a Personal Trainer at Gold ’ s Gym Long Beach . There , he met Steve Damico , who was part of Club Solutions Consultants . They did consulting work with franchisees , both domestically and internationally . After returning from a trip to Egypt one afternoon , Steve shared with Kevin that he had a contract to open the first Gold ’ s Gym in Egypt , and that they needed a Fitness Manager . Steve introduced him to Ali Mahmoud , the Master Franchisee in Egypt . They discussed the opportunity late one Friday evening at Gold ’ s Gym Long Beach . Kevin was interested and just needed time to think about it . Ali gave him one night to make his decision . They met again the next day , Kevin accepted the position and Ali handed him a plane ticket with his name on it departing from Los Angeles in just a few days . Kevin recalls being surprised that Ali already purchased his flight before hearing his decision , “ I remember smiling and telling Ali I needed more than a few days to give notice and properly transition my clients . He asked me how much time and I said 30 days . Ali said no problem , I ’ ll see you in Egypt in 30 days .” When Kevin arrived at the gym Monday morning , he found an envelope from Ali with a new plane ticket departing LA 30 days from the date of their last conversation . This was 1997 and it was at this point Kevin knew this was what he wanted as a career . He had kept in his mind how Ed Connors told him how he could take his passion for fitness and turn it into a career and in doing so , it will never feel like work .
Kevin moved to Cairo to help develop the first Gold ’ s Gym in the Middle East . It was challenging finding locals with experience , so he eventually brought in two people from the states to help build a team . Soon they partnered with the International Sports Science Association to help educate and certify the first personal trainers in the region . The gym was a bigger hit than Ali and his partners could have imagined . PT was very much in demand and they also offered a nutrition program for members . Kevin is proud to have been a part of bringing the first Gold ’ s Gym to the Middle East . “ I am grateful to Ali for giving me the opportunity and proud of the work we did as a team . Gold ’ s Gym Egypt went on to develop an Academy that continues to provide education and certifications to thousands of Personal Trainers each year .” Ali , his partners , and franchisees went on to open 20 Gold ’ s Gyms in Egypt and helped create brand awareness in the region that led to new Master Franchise Agreements and expansion into neighboring countries .
After a year in Egypt , Kevin moved back to the states . With no immediate opportunities available with Gold ’ s , he went to work for Crunch Fitness as a General Manager in Hollywood , California . He gained valuable experience , at what was then a high-end , high volume club . When Crunch was acquired by Bally Fitness , Ed Connors called Kevin with an opportunity to become a minority partner in Ed ’ s Gold ’ s Gym in Fresno , California . Kevin was happy to return to the brand , work with his mentor , operate the gym and grow the market . Within a couple of years , they opened a second club and he remained in franchising with Ed for seven years gaining valuable experience in the industry
Kevin always had a strong desire to get back overseas and involved with the growth of the brand outside the U . S . Over several Gold ’ s Gym conventions , he became friends with Paul Kuebler , Jake Weinstock and Vladimir Grumlik , Master Franchisees in Russia , Spain , Poland , Hungary and Czech Republic . Near the end of 2009 , Kevin accepted an opportunity to work for Paul and his partners as Regional Operations Manager and moved his family to Spain . Eventually they moved to Warsaw Poland which was more centrally located within their operating territory . “ I loved my job , working in multiple countries with such a diverse group of people and experiencing the different cultures .” Kevin recalls . “ I enjoyed the travel even though it meant being away from my family during the week .” The travel schedule was heavy for Kevin and one day , his 4-year-old son crawled up in his lap and said , “ Daddy why don ’ t you live with us anymore ?” That moment really made him think about the impact such a heavy travel schedule had on his young family . Kevin was able to reduce his work travel schedule a bit , and both he and his wife agree that time abroad was an incredible growth experience for them .
In 2012 , Kevin and his family moved back to the U . S . He joined the team on the company side as a Franchise Business Consultant , working with franchisees in the U . S . and Canada . He loved getting involved with sup-