We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eric Garcia . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eric below.
Hi Eric , thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea of creating and starting my own gym came to me pretty naturally. At the age of 26, after my professional boxing career had ended, I decided that I wasn’t finished with the sport. It was all that I had known for so long and my attachment to boxing was still strong. I felt I still had so much to offer, whether I was inside the ring or out. When you enter into a sport at such a young age, like most things, there is a lot you don’t understand and you can’t understand. I’ve said in previous interviews and I tell my boxers all the time that experience and maturity come with time put in and time spent watching. Having been on the other side and knowing myself what a young boxer needs as far as support, acknowledgement, and encouragement, I knew I could be that person for someone else. I could give all of those things that I needed during my own career, things that not all coaches are capable of offering, to a new generation of fighters. I knew by opening my own gym, I would be successful because I can relate to everything a boxer is going through in almost every stage of their growth. I have felt what they have felt. I have faced the challenges they are currently facing. I was there in the ring. Boxing isn’t just physical fitness and conditioning, it is a mental and technical game. As soon as I realized I could be a help for these kids, as a mentor, and a reliable coach, I realized I needed to get my ideas out of my head and in front of me for people to see. I arranged an agreement with my grandparents who ran their HVAC business out of a small building. They were semi-retired and weren’t using the space. They immediately jumped on board and by the next morning, I was knocking down walls with a sledgehammer. I was eager to put my plan into action. I mounted a ring, put up a few bags, and that was just the beginning.
Eric , 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?
My name is Eric Garcia. I am a former amateur and professional boxer, and I am now the owner and boxing coach at The Shop. Strength and Fitness in Upland, California. I was born and raised in Southern California. I began boxing at the age of ten after going through some rough times in elementary school, and started taking boxing classes for self defense. From there, I improved, advanced, and was fortunate to belong to multiple boxing gyms, experience many types of training from multiple coaches, meet/spar with globally known professional boxers, and develop my own professional career. I boxed professionally from the ages of 20 to 23. As a coach, I am proud to offer discipline, technical advice, approachability, guidance, and 26 years of boxing experience. I am a firm believer with the right trainer, anyone can box. From the many styles of coaching I have received, I developed my own training style to implement at my gym. I have taken bits and pieces from my own boxing education and tailored it to my liking. My style is unconventional, but has proven successful for me and my clients. I teach that your true opponent is yourself, no matter who is standing in the ring. Believing in and pushing yourself is the best way to personal success and victory.
As a business owner, I provide membership, private lessons, group classes, open gym hours, equipment, and merchandise for my clients.
My goal as a business owner and coach at The Shop. is to create more than just a gym. lam proud to have established a community and network of people who have become mentors, business partners, and friends to me over the years. I hope anyone that comes to The Shop. leaves knowing they have accomplished something important and meaningful.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 2014, when I decided to open my own business, I had the mentality that The Shop. would immediately be a hit. I was wrong. Business was crazy slow. I wanted to make sure I was available during the day in case anyone decided to sign up, so I began working odd jobs to support myself and my family. I worked overnight shifts, weekend shifts, part time shifts, and ran the gym full time, sometimes more than full time! I did my best to dedicate the energy to being a coach, working multiple jobs, all while parenting/raising my two boys. I’ll admit I thought The Shop. wouldn’t make it another year, but stubborn and determined, I would convince myself to stick it out another six months each time I started to lose hope. Finally, after a four year struggle, I was contacted by a client who was well known in real estate and things changed for me. He was looking for early morning gym sessions, which weren’t offered by any other gyms in the area. I jumped at the opportunity and made myself available. He signed up shortly afterward and I tapped into the real estate industry which put me on another level and increased my clientele. I began to book sessions and my appointments were filled daily. I consider myself beyond blessed. If I remain dedicated, and have faith in my decisions like I have in the past, I will ultimately get to where I want to be. I know as long as I stay consistent and focused, I will create a legacy for The Shop. and Eric Garcia Boxing for all those who walk through my door.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
An important lesson I had to unlearn is that not everyone is going to be your fan, and not everyone is going to wish success and good things for you. I was raised with giving, supportive people at home. My family, although sometimes strict always have the best intentions for me. I expected that same support and confidence from the people around me in my career, but it isn’t realistic, especially in an extremely competitive sport.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Edeek_garseeya theshopfit
- Youtube: Eric Garcia Boxing
- Yelp: The Shop. Strength and Fitness
- Other: 56 n central ave Upland ca. 91786
Image Credits
Brandon González Marchel Hill