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by Ben Hackney-Williams on Friday, 3 May 2024
With members and class participants aged from eight to 103 years old, there’s a community south of Sydney that’s leading the way in inclusivity.
We speak to Korin Koutsomihalis, fitness entrepreneur and founder of SOUL FIT CO. This outstanding Australian business is holistically invested in providing members healthy life experiences that foster equity, equality, respect, acceptance and support, in a safe and socially inclusive space.
How to spot the opportunity for inclusivity
“I have always been active my entire life through sports and exercise,” explains Korin. “In my teenage years I enjoyed walking daily and started in the gym setting at age 22. Now, I love moving my body outdoors in nature and most of all I truly love group fitness at SOUL FIT CO.
“After 10 years in fitness Industry and the field of education, I had the skills and the knowledge to know exactly what was missing in the health and exercise sector in regards inclusive practices and services.
“On many occasions, I had seen many Australians left behind or not considered in gym settings due to their age, disability or fitness level. Fitness services over time have become spaces that can often leave clients feeling intimidated to act or perform in a certain way in order to fit in.”
The 'why' that leads to entrepreneurship
“After years of working in mainstream gym settings, I wanted to do something brave in breaking down bias. I had found my true purpose and my ‘why’, and my entrepreneur journey began!
“Since opening SOUL FIT CO for business in March 2021, my initiative as a fitness and wellness service has been to empower and include all Australians, and especially to provide an inclusive space for those who are usually left behind in society and social settings.
“I wanted to design and provide a business that offered services where all Australians could train for life, together.”
Myzone inspiring movement at all ages
“I first starting using Myzone in 2021 with my husband at home and loved how it was pushing my effort levels in every training session with him. I upgraded to the MZ-Switch in September 2023, when I attended the AUSactive summit at federation Square for the Fit For Office campaign.
“Together with AUSactive, MP Fiona Phillips, and my SOUL FIT CO community, we used multiple Myzone devices to work our hardest together to be active and move our entire community for better health and fitness outcomes.
“Our SOUL FIT CO community loves Myzone! We love that it inspires our members of all ages including young Keithy at 8 years old, Chippy at 81 years, Lee at 43 years, and even Bev 103 years old, to make every move count.
“Our members love to watch their peers get excited to find out their results after their training sessions and we just love the encouragement they send to each on our social media platforms when we share their fitness results and effort.
“Myzone has been a credit to our community in embracing the enjoyment, value and importance of exercise for every body, every age, every day and every way!”
About SOUL FIT CO
“SOUL FIT CO is a multi-award-winning leading Fitness service that’s been named Illawarra and South Coasts Local Business Award Winner for Outstanding Fitness Service 2023 and AUSactive Roll of Honour Award Winner 2023.
“SOUL FIT CO is a proactive registered Indigenous small business that is focused on people and how we can improve the health and fitness of all Australians together.
“Overall, SOUL FIT CO always demonstrates the importance of embracing and respecting all individuals’ journeys and their lived experiences, uniting Australians of all ages and backgrounds together through enriched fitness, meaningful wellness, authentic relationships and genuine connection.
“Thank you to the team at Myzone and AUSactive. Not only did they activate the MPs of our nation, but it now has Australians from SOUL FIT CO of various ages, backgrounds and abilities feeling more successful, confident and empowered to move and train for life. THANK YOU!”
For more information check out SOUL FIT CO on Facebook or email asksoulfitco@outlook.com