 Credit: Drew Westfield, Founder GRIPT Fitness Studios | Instagram My health and wellness journey began in 2014, born out of emotional, mental, and physical hardship. Over the last ten years, I’ve transformed my life and built a community dedicated to long-term health through GRIPT Fitness Studios. Along the way, I’ve uncovered practical wellness hacks to improve mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
The Catalyst for Change After losing my brother Mathew to mental health challenges in 2008, I spiraled. By 2014, my life revolved around heavy drinking, partying, and regret-filled Sundays. One night, I hit rock bottom. Suicidal thoughts plagued me, but in the quiet hours of dawn, I realised I was the only one who could save me. I needed to rebuild my life, starting with my physical and mental strength. That morning, I stepped into a gym for the first time. Guided by a close friend, I discovered weight training, specifically hypertrophy — the process of building muscle. This single act of commitment became the cornerstone of my transformation. Wellness Hacks That Transformed My Life Through years of trial and error, I discovered simple, effective hacks to improve health and well-being: 1. Weight Training Commit to four sessions a week to build strength, muscle, and resilience. Weight training isn’t just physical; it’s a mental exercise in embracing discomfort to grow stronger. 2. Whole Foods Nutrition Clean eating doesn’t have to be complex. I started by eliminating processed foods and focusing on whole foods with balanced protein, carbs, and fats to fuel and recover effectively. 3. Energy Balance Understanding energy balance — calories in versus calories out — helped me make sustainable health decisions. 4. Prioritising Sleep Getting 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night improved recovery and mental clarity. I traded late-night films for a consistent bedtime routine. 5. Daily Movement A morning walk (8,000–10,000 steps) became a non-negotiable. It’s not just exercise; it’s a way to clear your mind and set a positive tone for the day. 6. Hydration Drinking 3–4 litres of filtered water daily boosted energy, focus, and physical performance. 7. Structured Rest Taking two rest days per week ensures proper recovery, preventing burnout and injury while keeping long-term goals on track. 8. Market Shopping and Meal Prep Shopping at local markets and preparing meals ahead of time simplified healthy eating, making it easier to avoid poor choices during busy weeks. 9. Seeking Therapy Mental health is as critical as physical health. Working with a psychologist allowed me to unpack emotional weight that had held me back. 10. Setting Clear Goals Tangible goals — whether building muscle, losing fat, or maintaining fitness — keep motivation high and progress measurable. Building GRIPT: A Community of Wellness The life-changing benefits I experienced inspired me to co-found GRIPT Fitness Studios with my trainer. Together, we created a space where people could improve not only their physical fitness but also their mental and emotional health. At GRIPT, we’ve rejected fitness fads and embraced sustainable practices. Our motto, “Bodies are built, not born,” reflects our belief in hard work and consistency. During Melbourne’s 2020 lockdowns, we adapted by hosting outdoor workouts, building virtual studios, and even creating a rooftop gym to support our members when they needed us most. Now, with a second GRIPT location in Hawthorn and plans to expand further, we’re focused on building a long-term legacy in the fitness industry. The Takeaway Health isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about living a better quality of life, feeling mentally strong, and building resilience. Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up, these hacks can serve as a foundation. It’s never too late to prioritise your health. Start today, take small, consistent steps, and discover the transformative power of wellness. Meet Our Contributor — Drew Westfield Drew Westfield is the Founder of GRIPT Fitness Studios. Established in 2014, GRIPT has cemented itself as an industry leader in Australia. The name ‘GRIPT’ was created to reflect the act of a person taking control, or taking a grip on their health. When they opened their doors, it was to solve the issues they had identified within the industry: the lack of care commercial gyms had towards their members, and the transactional nature of Personal Training where time was exchanged for money. Today, GRIPT conquers the oversaturated, low-cost, low-quality franchise fitness landscape. Across 10 transformative years, they’ve relentlessly honed their boutique studio model through innovation — elevating training, delivery, and coaches. The GRIPT pledge: an unparalleled world-class experience with each studio visit. Visit GRIPT to learn more about Drew and his work.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |