‘Before we go to bed, we meditate on a nail mat’

Thomas: « We met in March 2022. Here in Haarlem, in Club XO. We both worked at a gym at the time, but not the same. » Demi: « When we had a relationship for a year and a half, we got the offer to take over a small gym in Heemstede where Thomas had been working as a trainer for six years. At my gym I was a manager and I gave group lessons. This seemed like a great opportunity to our skills And to combine experience. So we went for it. We didn’t even live together at the time. « 

Thomas: « And then we suddenly had a gym together. »

Demi: « Of course it was a step, but we didn’t hesitate. »

Thomas: « We feel together at home and are a team. Everything is going well, from shopping to whatever. We can say what we want without the other person being attacked. »

Demi: « And we have the same love and passion for sports. »

Thomas: « It’s an adventure, everything is new. Customer administration, finance, marketing. Demi is a little more active behind the scenes and I a little more in the foreground. »

Demi: « We bought the name and all devices from the previous owner. We rent the building. »

Thomas: « Our target group are people from the age of 30, who come to work out under supervision between children and work. We do this in groups of a maximum of six people, within which everyone follows their own program. But one-on-one personal training is of course also possible. »

Always outside

Demi: « In addition, there are group lessons where everyone does the same, with a maximum of ten people. We always do them outside, even when the weather is bad; under a sail, so dry – and to music. Our gym is opposite the Groenendaalse Bos. When you sport, you look at the forest. We hear from customers that they feel better, healthier and happier because of exercising.”

Thomas: « We have 156 members, especially from Heemstede, Haarlem and Bennebroek. We now have more members than when we started – so that’s nice. The energy we put in it is fruiting. »

Demi: « In the same period as we started our company, we went to live together. We live in Haarlem, edge center, in a rental apartment of less than 60 square meters. But with a roof terrace! It is an old building, but our apartment has been renovated. The entrance has been through a snack bar. No, we never buy a snack. »

Thomas: « It’s a funny contrast with our lifestyle. »

Sunday free

Demi: « How much we work varies per week. We usually work for 30 hours in the gym for 30 hours. Then there is also administration, invoicing, human resources and marketing. We often do such things in a beach tent. We work six mornings, from Monday to Saturday, and three evenings a week. Sunday is our only day off, unless there is a staff member, last one.

Thomas: “I am satisfied with my Work-Life Balance. Yet it would be nice to have a two -day weekend. But this is also great – Saturday morning is fun, because it is weekend and there is a nice atmosphere within the club. I never reluctantly go to work. But a second day free would be nice.  »

Demi: « I am not dissatisfied, although I would like to have some more time for friends and family. Because we often work in the evening, we cannot be everywhere. »

Thomas: « Another challenge in combining work and private life is not to stay in work for too long. You really have to put an end time. Then we close the laptop, and we can put down the fellow being, and then we are boyfriend and girlfriend again. »

Demi: « There were times when I always opened the laptop at home. I am doing that less now. Fortunately, it is now also possible to fix the same things in a shorter time. »

Thomas: « Love is also there during work, we sometimes wink together. And when everyone is gone, we sometimes give each other a kiss. »

Pain stimulus

Thomas: « We both like cooking. I don’t mind washing and cleaning. »

Demi: « He secretly does even more than me. »

Thomas: « Sometimes, if a training falls out, I just put on my headphones and do the toilet and sink. »

Demi: « We work three evenings a week until nine on the gym. Then we go home and at ten o’clock we are already in bed. After all, we got up at 6 am and have to get up at 6 am the next day. In that respect, we’re free, then we’re free. »

Thomas: “Before we go to bed, we often meditate for a while. We do that on a nail mat. That is a mat with spikes From plastic. Then you lie down for 20 to 25 minutes on your back. In the beginning it is painful, but not anymore, because we are used to it. ”

Demi: “It helps against stress, you fall asleep better. It’s good for blood circulation and you have less muscle pain. You can compare it with acupuncture or Deep Tissue-Massages. ”

Thomas: « There is a pain stimulus, but after a while your body will release endorphins. That feels nice and you go to bed relaxed. »

Demi: « Our relationship has only gotten better from working together. »

Thomaslaughing: « She now listens to me even better! »

Demi: « Whether we still have dreams? A child. And an owner -occupied home. »

Thomas: « For now, the dream can be built up a fun, healthy company. »

Demi: « But in the end I hope that we can get a family with two healthy children and of course getting married. That will only be in a few years. I hope a little earlier! »

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