Where the Beach Gets Fit

You’ve probably heard of the mantra ‘ Take No Days Off or even come across the man behind it, Giavanni Ruffin. But what you might not know is how this viral fitness brand began not in a gym, but in a storm of personal struggle and relentless drive. In this episode, we sit down with Giavanni Ruffin—former D1 athlete, NFL hopeful, and founder of Take No Days Off Gym. Giavanni opens up about his turb...

You’re working out side-by-side with a police officer, both of you sweating through an intense workout, yet instead of the usual tension, there’s a sense of camaraderie and respect. Sounds unusual, right? Officer Kishon Roberts joins Jesse Wareing to discuss a game-changing initiative in Virginia Beach. In this episode, Officer Kishon Roberts, Community Liaison Officer at Virginia Beach Police, sh...

In this episode, Jake Wareing sits down with Ragan Killen, a Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of VB Counseling Collective, to discuss the realities of balancing mental health, work, and life. Ragan shares how she got into counseling, why she chose to start her own private practice during the pandemic, and the important lessons she has picked up along the way. Jake and Ragan also explore...

What does it really take to build confidence as a coach? What does it really take to go from feeling like an outsider to becoming a trusted coach? This episode takes us behind the scenes with our head coach here at Wareing’s gym, Jimmy Mitchum, and Jesse Wareing. These 2 are longtime coaches and pillars here at Wareing’s Gym and are now shaping the next generation of elite coaches through mentorsh...

Meet Kip Poole, founder of Yorkie's, a “modern deli” that’s flipping the script on what a restaurant can be. Kip is a culinary educator, nonprofit founder, and reality TV alum whose journey through burnout, culinary transformation, and radical community building has led to something much more than just sandwiches. In this episode, Kip shares the origin of Yorkie's, born from his father’s a...

Meet Abby Pawley, muralist, soccer coach, and Virginia Beach native, who has turned her passion for creativity into a thriving career. She went from painting surfboards to covering entire buildings with vibrant murals here in Virginia Beach. She worked on the mural at the back of the gym here as well. Abby’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. She faced rejection early on when the Art School dism...

Life sometimes throws the most unexpected curveballs. One day, you are chasing your dreams as a pro baseball player, and the next, you are learning how to rebuild your life. From his days playing in the minor leagues to making it to the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Brock Paterson’s journey was anything but easy.  Born and raised in Washington State, Brock was drafted out of high schoo...

What do a gym, pro wrestling, and filmmaking have in common? For Jack Wareing, they’re all part of his incredible 25-year journey that began in the world of fitness and led to the silver screen. Jack was one of the four brothers who got into the Wareing’s gym business in 1978. Known for his dedication and passion, Jack’s journey from training in the gym to making films shows just how persistence c...

Kyle Carpenter is joining the Wareing’s Gym crew and bringing with him a deep well of experience from a life devoted to movement. From his early days growing up in a gym with his bodybuilder father to coaching handstands and calisthenics, Kyle shares how training has evolved for him to become a tool for checking in with his life from a mental, physical, and emotional point of view. From bodybuildi...

Jason Borte had it all - a lifetime of waves under his belt, a reputation as a Virginia Beach surf legend, and even a bestselling book with Kelly Slater. But then... he quit. No injury or job move. Just a self-imposed year away from the ocean. Why? To see what he was really made of without the surfboard. In this episode, Jason opens up about that year, how it changed his relationship with surfing...

In this episode, Jake Wareing sits down with his mother, Jackie Wareing, to talk about the evolution of fitness from the 1970s to today. Jackie was one of the first women to lift weights when it was still seen as a man’s sport. She went on to become a personal trainer and helped shape the culture of strength training for women. Jackie shares stories from the early days of strength training at the...

Have you ever met someone whose impact stayed with you long after they were gone? Bob Wareing was that person for an entire community. In this special heartfelt episode of Where the Beach Gets Fit, Jake Wareing is joined by his cousin Adam Appleton to remember and honor Bob Wareing, one of the founding pillars of Wareing’s Gym. Bob’s influence transcended the gym walls. He was a mentor, a friend,...

In this episode, Jake welcomes Elizabeth Thomas, social media manager and founder of Elizabeth Eats. Elizabeth has been part of the Wareing’s Gym family since her teens, and today, she shares her journey from youth sports to becoming an entrepreneur focused on health and fitness. Jake and Elizabeth discuss what fitness means to different people. They also talk about the role of community in fitnes...

In this episode, Jake chats with a long-time Wareing’s Gym member. Sebastian Moreno, who, along with his wife Katie, stepped out of their comfort zones to live life on their own terms. They hit pause on their careers to take sabbaticals and travel the world. Sebastian reveals how they made it happen, from the financial planning and minimalist lifestyle they adopted to the exciting experiences they...

You wake up, grind through your workout, and tell yourself you're doing enough. But deep down, you know there's more. You're stuck in a cycle of half-effort. Parker Curran was right there, playing personal trainer by day and party guy by night. He was doing well, but he knew he could be more. So he went all in on fitness, and everything in his life started to change. In this episode, P...

In this episode, Jake Wareing sits down with Tony Strasiser, president of Born Primitive. Tony shares his personal journey from collegiate athlete to the leader of a fast-growing company, revealing the key lessons he’s learned about balancing hustle with strategy and staying grounded amid the chaos. Jake and Tony also talk about the challenges of scaling a business without external capital, making...

What does it really take to mentor and coach someone - whether it’s your kid, a student, or even yourself? It’s not always glamorous, and sometimes, the rewards feel like they’re light-years away. But when the rewards come, they’re worth it. In this episode, Jake welcomes back his cousin, Jesse Wareing, to talk about the art of mentorship and coaching strategies that foster resilience and growth....

In this episode, Jake Wareing interviews Phil Reichhoff, Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Fitness and Performance at Cape Henry Collegiate. Phil’s got an incredible story - from his days hustling as an intern in collegiate strength training to running a one-of-a-kind fitness program for students right here in Virginia Beach. He’s all about grit, resilience, and, most importantly, showin...

Have you ever thought about leaving a stable job to chase your dreams? Bryce Cope did just that. In this episode, the golf coach reveals how he traded his stethoscope for a driver and turned his lifelong passion for the sport into a thriving business. From being a physician assistant to running The Birdhouse VB—a membership-based golf performance facility—Bryce has found a way to work and play sim...

In this episode, I sit down with Randy Link, a DEKA fitness world champion who’s living proof that age is just a number. He shares how a simple decision to raise the bar in his daily habits has led to big achievements. We also dive into the mental and physical challenges of competing on a world stage. Randy’s honesty and determination will leave you inspired. We talk about the power of community,...

What a year it’s been! In this special end-of-year episode, we take a heartfelt journey through the highlights of all the amazing guests who have graced our podcast. Each one of the guests brought unique perspectives that inspired us to push harder and embrace the joy of movement and community. Join Jake, Jesse, and Harrison as they revisit the standout moments, including professional surfer Micha...

Fitness is about more than muscles—it's about legacy and community. In this special episode, Jake Wareing takes us on a nostalgic journey through the history of Wareing’s Gym, a family-owned fitness haven that has shaped lives for generations. Jake reads a 1988 article detailing the incredible life of John Wareing—a former wrestler, fitness pioneer, and community leader. Discover the evolution...

In today’s episode, Cheryl Zonkowski, the owner of Catalyst Nutrition, joins us to share her inspiring career journey. Originally on a pre-med track at the University of Florida, Cheryl’s passion for sports and nutrition led her to a career shift that completely transformed her life. Now, as the owner of a thriving nutrition business in Virginia Beach, Cheryl works closely with athletes to optimiz...

Fitness is more than just a workout. It’s a way of life - a community-driven journey toward personal growth, mental resilience, and connecting with others. At Wareing’s gym, people have walked through its doors not just to work out but to be a part of something bigger than themselves. And it’s in these shared experiences that the true magic happens. In this episode, Jake sits down with Amy Brett,...

What’s the secret to building speed, strength, and durability? Hint: it might just be training in the beach. In this week’s episode, Jake introduces Nolan Carvalho, founder of Sand Speed, a sand-based training program aimed at enhancing athletic performance. Nolan is a certified speed and agility coach and entrepreneur. He shares how his passion for athletics and coaching led to the creation of a...