Quan Nguyen is lifting up Fairhaven
At the start of each new year, millions of people set resolutions to improve themselves. Whether actively working towards getting their dream job, saving money for a well-deserved vacation, or dedicating themselves to new habits and self-improvement, only a fraction of these resolutions ever see results. This isn’t a knock on those who try. In fact, our tendency to veer off the road of good intentions is deeply rooted in learned behavior — something we can change. But all too often, there’s too much focus on treating the symptom, not the cause.
This is something that Quan Nguyen, owner of Fairhaven’s Anytime Fitness, realized during his own fitness journey after discovering the benefits of holistic health and self-care. It’s also the secret behind his success — not just in losing 100 pounds in nine months, but fostering a positive fitness community in Fairhaven.
Before we dive into that, let’s take a few steps back to the beginning of Quan’s journey.
Rethinking the dream
Quan is a first-generation Vietnamese-American born to parents who were displaced during the Vietnam War. Raised on the idea of the American Dream, he was encouraged by his parents to follow the script so many of us were taught: go to a good university, get a good job, marry, settle down…you know how it goes.
After college, he started a career as a composites design engineer working on power plants. Though the pay was alright, the stress took a toll on his physical and mental health.
In 2017, something clicked. He began researching the connection between physical, mental, and emotional health and how they should be treated holistically.
His approach enabled him to get back in shape, both physically and mentally. Feeling inspired and empowered, and he wanted to see if he could help others do the same. He started by helping his wife, who struggled with chronic pain and partial paralysis, to heal her body. Now, she can deadlift 250 pounds.
Quan continues to hone his strategies, investigating the connection between physical and mental health while building fitness regimens that address both. To Quan, fitness isn’t about how much you can lift, but understanding how to create and follow through with your goals, building yourself up, and connecting with others. He decided to open a gym to do just that.
Building a community of wellness
Quan was disillusioned with many corporate gym brands when looking for franchise opportunities. He was deemed too risky by many as someone who never owned a gym or business. But Anytime Fitness saw his potential, and he aligned with their values and culture.
As part of his efforts to support the community, Quan and his team organize various events in and out of the gym. Their free Women on Weights program teaches women and nonbinary members how to build their weightlifting regimens within a safe space, combating stereotypical “bro” culture found in some gyms. Outside of the gym’s walls, they host events like barbecues in the park, hikes throughout Whatcom County, highway clean-up through Adopt-a-Highway, and various member appreciation events.
The gym is grounded in a sense of connectedness between its members, trainers, and the greater Whatcom community. Quan summed up the core of his philosophy: “I want to keep making this place better for everyone. I want to keep learning how to be a better boss to my staff and a better trainer for the members and help them succeed.”
Strong foundations
Anytime Fitness’s corporate side has taken notice of their successful formula. Quan’s gym ranks among the Top 10 Anytime Fitness locations in the entire country, and he’s often invited to speak at events to train other franchisees and trainers within Anytime Fitness’s network. He’s also been bucking other trends in the gym world, including paying his trainers a salary instead of retaining them by contract.
To learn more about Quan and the team at Anytime Fitness in Fairhaven, check them out on their website or call them at 360-788-5900. For the safety of their members, their gym’s doors remain locked, so if you want to take a look for yourself, be sure to contact them first to book a tour.