Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Darryl Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Darryl , thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I moved to Tampa in 2017 and I began working at a training facility, but I always knew I wanted to create my own. The opportunity came in a DM from the USF men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach offering space to rent out if I ever wanted to train clients. At the time, I didn’t act on it. Life was still moving forward, but I wasn’t yet ready to make that leap. Then, on September 18th, 2018, I was let go from my job. It was a gut punch, but also a wake-up call. A close friend sat me down, and we had a heart-to-heart about ambition, risk, and the opportunity that was staring me in the face. I remember he told me, ”You’ve got the qualities to go out and get it,” and It was exactly the push I needed.

I reached back out to the USF mens basketball coach, took him up on his offer, and started casually training clients. At first, it was slow—just a handful of sessions here and there. But that initial spark ignited an even bigger flame. Nine months later, on June 19th, 2019, Apex Performance was born. A few weeks after that, on July 15th, I ran my first group fitness class. There was only six people in that first class. Some days, nobody showed up at all. But I kept showing up, stayed consistent, and promoted something I genuinely believed in. Slowly but surely, the growth of Apex began to take its shape. The first space I rented was 1,200 sq ft. It was a start, but it was just the beginning. After that I rented a space at Spartan Gym during the transition period from moving out of my first facility. we grew, so did the space, eventually moving into an 11,000 sq ft facility that allowed us to expand our reach and impact.

By October 2020, we won our first official award—Best Gym by Best of The Bay. But the road wasn’t without its bumps of course . On July 28, 2020, the gym’s lease ran out, and we had to shut down temporarily leaving Apex without a home. While in the midst of COVID hitting, we faced countless trials and tribulations, but we persevered despite it all. In 2021, Apex went on to win Best Gym by Best of the Bay again, followed by Best Fitness Center in Tampa in 2022. But 2023 was a restructuring year—one of reflection and refinement—allowing us to build momentum for the future to come.

Then came 2024. It was our breakthrough year. Apex was crowned Best Health Club/Personal Training Studio in Florida, and we were awarded the Quality Business Award for the Best Personal Trainer in Egypt Lake-Leto. Along with this, we came in second place for Best Gym by Best of the Bay, Best Personal Trainer by Best of the Bay, and Best Group Fitness by Best of the Bay. On July 1st 2024, the vision had expanded even further with the signing of Apex Performance South Shore, our second location. Our official opening date for operations was September 22nd 2024

It wasn’t always easy. But with consistency, belief in what we were building, and a little bit of luck, Apex became something bigger than I could have ever imagined. And the best part? We’re just getting started.

Darryl , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up I was an athlete my whole life so being active and fitness focused was always in me. Growing up I have always been good with communicating with people, wanting to help people overall but especially with there fitness. I went to college and got my degree in exercise science. Going through that process with also being an athlete it was a smooth transition. The mindset you have as an athlete is key in the profession because you have to know how to over come adversity at time. Owning a brand that has two different business attached to it can be a tough things at time but staying true to your faith and beliefs keeps me grounded.

One thing I want people to know before they come into any of the Apex facilities they are coming into a loving and family type environment. We pride ourselves into making it a comfortable space for any and everyone but on top of that reach the goals they came in looking to do.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The best way Ive been able to grow my clientele is from delivering a great product. In the fitness world if the people aren’t getting results then they will look elsewhere. Another way I take pride in growing is actually being genuine with the goals the person has told me. Im here working with the client 100% and I’m invested in whatever goal 100%, being genuine and having a good personality your clients will refer your services to there friends and that is the best way to grow in this industry.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

There has been plenty of ups and downs in this area for me because managing other people can be difficult. Everyone has an ego or own thoughts and ideas. I had to grow personally to learn how to people my ego aside and listen to understand my other team members. Also as the leader make it clear that everyone knows there role on the team, once everyone knows there role clearly and execute that role my business is a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theapexperf.com
• Instagram: @theapexperf

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