Michael Kuhnemann is a relative newcomer to Lismore. Seven years ago, he bought the Wyrallah Road Squash Courts and turned them into his first F-Fitness Gym. Michael then purchased the Summit Gym in Goonellabah. He has a passion for gyms and fitness as Maive McKenzie found out when she chatted to Michael.

I was born in Toowoomba, Queensland. Toowoomba was a great place to start my journey, but my family didn't stay put for too long. When I was about three or four years old, we packed up and moved to a small spot outside of Tully called Cardstone. Cardstone was one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it places, but it was paradise for a kid. 

We lived in Carstone until I hit grade two. Then, it was time for another move, this time to Ayr, just south of Townsville. Ayr was where I really grew up, spending the next 18 years there. It’s where I went through primary and high school.

But life in Ayr took an interesting turn when I reached grades 10, 11, and 12. During those years, I attended a boarding school called St. Joseph's College in Nudgee, North Brisbane.

Going to Nudgee was a big change for me. Suddenly, I was in a new environment, surrounded by new people, and faced with new challenges. Boarding school life was structured and demanding, but it also opened a world of opportunities. I made some incredible friends and learned a lot, both inside and outside the classroom.

The move to Nudgee was a significant chapter in my life. It was a mix of hard work and fun, with plenty of memories made along the way. Even though I was away from Ayr, the experiences and lessons from those boarding school years stayed with me and played a crucial role in shaping who I am.

When I was a kid, I was always really into sports. I played Rugby League and Union all the way until I was 33 or 34. Besides rugby, I swam, did athletics, and even dabbled in a bit of golf. My favourite memories are from my time at boarding school, where I really got to shine. I was the swimming champion, the golf champion, and the runner-up in the athletics championship. I even snagged the title of Iron Man Champion.

Sports and physical education have always been a big part of my life. From a young age, I loved being active and pushing myself. When I reached grade 10, I developed a serious interest in going to the gym. It quickly became a passion of mine, something that always made me really happy. Working out wasn't just about staying fit; it was about camaraderie and pushing your physical boundaries.

Those early years, filled with rugby games, swim meets, and gym sessions, laid the foundation for a lifelong love of fitness and sport. It's been a constant source of joy and satisfaction for me, and some of my best memories are tied to those athletic pursuits.

After finishing high school, I went to Kelvin Grove College to study physical education as my major, and I also took up economics. My time at university was not just about hitting the books; I juggled a bunch of different jobs to make ends meet and gain some life experience.

I picked fruit in the blazing sun, worked as a kitchen hand scrubbing pots and pans, and even did a stint as a door-to-door salesman selling soft drinks. That job was probably the worst. It involved walking long distances, not to mention the occasional chase by an unfriendly dog! I also did labouring work in various places, which was tough but taught me the value of hard work. And there was a period when I worked in a hotel, managing the door and dealing with all sorts of characters.

Balancing school and these jobs was challenging, but it also taught me resilience and the importance of hard work. Each job, no matter how tough, contributed to the person I am today. It was all part of the journey, and looking back, I'm grateful for those experiences.

The most challenging part of uni was definitely learning to fend for myself. Turning 18 and moving to Brisbane was a huge adjustment. Suddenly, I was in a big city, far from the familiar comforts of home. I spent the whole three years living in a share house, which came with its own set of difficulties.

We had to navigate everything from splitting bills to dealing with each other's quirks. But despite the challenges, I became close with my housemates, and we formed a tight-knit group. We supported each other through thick and thin.

Living in Brisbane and managing everything on my own was tough, but it was also a time of great personal growth. I learned to cook, budget, and juggle responsibilities, all while keeping up with my studies. The best part of university, though, was the social life. We had a blast, making the most of our free time with outings, and late-night study sessions that often turned into early-morning chats. It helped that university was free back then, so we could focus on enjoying the experience without the stress of looming debt.

We attended classes five days a week, but everything was handwritten. There were no computers or mobile phones when I graduated in 1983, which seems almost unimaginable now. It was a simpler time, but it had its own charm.

Those uni years were some of the best of my life. The mix of independence, friendship, and a bustling social life made it a memorable and formative experience. It was a period of discovery, both academically and personally, and I wouldn't trade those days for anything. They taught me resilience, the importance of community, and how to find joy in the little things, lessons that have stayed with me ever since.

After uni, I moved out to Logan and taught there for about five years. During that time, I also worked part-time at a gym. The gym felt like a better fit for me, and I found myself drawn more and more to the fitness world. When I was about 27 or 28, my brother and I ended up buying the gym, and that was just the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

I had always wanted a job with unlimited potential to earn. No matter how hard you work as a school teacher, you get paid the same, and that just didn't sit well with me. It felt much more fulfilling to work in a job where the harder I worked, the more I earned. It was truly living and dying by the sword.

Working with my brother was an adventure. We had our fair share of heated discussions and sibling fights, but it was also a really great experience. We complemented each other well, and together we made the gym a success. I would often start up new gyms and then got my siblings and friends involved once they were up and running. 

The experience taught me a lot about business, perseverance, and the importance of having a strong support system. Even though working with family came with its own set of challenges, it also strengthened our bonds. To this day, my brothers and I are still very close.

I went on to open ten more gyms, mostly in the Logan and Ipswich areas, with one in Cairns and another in Coolangatta. This has basically been my life’s work, and I've loved every minute of it. Working for myself has been incredibly rewarding. Sure, I’ve made lots of mistakes along the way, but I’ve learned a ton too. With my educational background and a bit of luck, it has turned out to be an amazing career.

I found my niche by taking over squash centres or indoor sports centres. These places already had showers, toilets, and large areas that I could remodel and deck out with the newest equipment. 

Each new gym brought its own set of challenges and triumphs. I learned the ropes of business management, customer service, and marketing, often the hard way. But those lessons were invaluable. They helped me grow not just as a business owner but as a person.

Opening these gyms allowed me to combine my passion for fitness with my entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve always enjoyed seeing people transform their lives through fitness, and having the chance to facilitate that on a larger scale has been incredibly fulfilling. Plus, running my own business gave me the freedom to innovate and make decisions that I believe in, something that’s hard to come by in a traditional job.

I met my wife, Katie, in Brisbane in 2018, thanks to dating apps. It was a bit of a slow start—she didn't show up for our first two dates. I was starting to think it wasn't meant to be, so on the third date, I sent her a message saying that if she wasn’t interested, she didn’t have to come and I’d just move on. But to my surprise, she showed up, and that was the start of something wonderful.

From that day on, Katie hasn’t left my side. We quickly realised we had a lot in common. We were both passionate about going to the gym, which was a great shared interest. Nice wine and fun nights out on the town were high on our list too, and we loved exploring new places and making the most of our time together.

Our relationship took off from there, and all those shared interests helped us build a strong connection. Katie and I have had many great adventures together, and our time enjoying each other's company has been one of the highlights of my life.

I have four daughters, and each of them has carved out their own unique path in life. My eldest is now a mother of four, living in Redcliffe, Brisbane. It’s been amazing to watch her grow into such a wonderful parent.

Another one of my daughters initially went to QUT to study law, but she discovered a different and exciting passion along the way. She’s now a tattoo artist, which was a surprising but fantastic turn of events.

The other two are still finishing up their degrees. One is set on becoming a pharmacist, and the other is aiming to become a psychologist. They’ve both worked incredibly hard and are making great strides toward their goals.

Watching all four of them find their own ways and pursue their passions has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Each of them brings something special to the table, and I'm incredibly proud of the women they’ve become.

I was looking to get away from Brisbane but didn't want to stray too far, and that’s when I discovered Lismore. It turned out to be the perfect place to start a new venture. It’s ideally situated—not too far from the bustling city life of Brisbane or the relaxing beaches along the coast. Lismore offers a wonderful balance of having our own space while still being connected to the wider world.

Having our own place here, just Katie and me, has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a great feeling to have a peaceful retreat where we can enjoy our own little corner of the world. The change of pace from the city has been refreshing.

Even though we’re no longer based in Brisbane, it’s still easy to visit family there. The drive is manageable, so we can keep in touch and spend time with loved ones without it feeling like a huge trek. It’s nice to have that flexibility, being able to enjoy our life here while staying connected to our roots.

And here’s a bit of family trivia: all of my siblings—three brothers and a sister—work in the fitness industry as well. It’s amusing how we all ended up in the same field, despite each of us taking our own unique paths to get there. It feels like the fitness world really does run in the family!

(Michael with his brothers at his wedding to Katie)

By 2017, I decided to buy a gym on Wyrallah Road here in East Lismore. I went through a major renovation and reopened it in 2018. It was a big project, but seeing it come to life was incredibly satisfying.

Then, when COVID hit, things took a turn for the worse. The pandemic was absolutely horrific. With restrictions in place, some of my gyms up in Brisbane were inaccessible, and I had to rely on others to manage them. I was really grateful for their support during that challenging time. Technology became a lifesaver, helping me stay connected and manage operations remotely.

Despite the hurdles, I eventually decided to sell my gyms in Brisbane. It was a tough decision, but it was the right one, given the circumstances. The whole experience taught me a lot about resilience and adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges. 

In 2022, I was in the midst of negotiations to buy the Summit Gym and Aquatic Centre when disaster struck. The biggest flood in over 500 years caused severe damage to the Wyrallah Road gym, which had only recently been renovated. The flood was devastating—everything inside was ruined by water damage.

It was an overwhelming situation, and it took me about three months to strip out the damaged equipment and renovate the space again. The process was painstaking, but I was determined to get things back on track. From the flood in February to reopening by May, it was a whirlwind of hard work and persistence.

The takeaway from all this experience is to always be prepared for the unexpected. Running a gym is a straightforward model, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Even though it took a lot of effort and money to clean up after the flood and replace the equipment, it’s crucial to ensure that everything is running smoothly.

At the core of it all, it's about keeping things simple and efficient. Making sure that all the tools and equipment are clean and functioning properly is essential to providing a good experience for everyone who walks through the door. While setbacks like floods can be incredibly disruptive, staying focused on the basics and being ready to tackle issues head-on helps keep things on track and ensures that the business can keep moving forward.

Working here in Lismore has been a great experience. Lismore really serves as the hub for the Northern Rivers region, and it's where all the big stuff happens. The area feeds out to nearby places like Casino, Kyogle, and Alstonville, but Lismore is the central point for everything major.

Our downtown location covers the CBD and its surrounding areas, while our other gym location in Goonellabah complements it perfectly. Memberships at either location give you access to both gyms, so our members can enjoy the full range of facilities no matter which site they visit.

Running a gym is incredibly rewarding. It’s a place where people come to improve themselves, whether they want to get stronger, fitter, or recover from an injury. It’s not just about physical fitness; it’s also about creating a space where people can find happiness and connect with others who share similar goals.

One of the best parts of this job is that we’re not dealing with the kind of crowd you'd find in a pub or a bar. Here, everyone is focused on being fit and healthy, which means everyone is on the same page. It creates a non-judgmental environment where people feel comfortable and supported. You don’t need any special experience or a fancy uniform to get started—just bring some shoes, comfortable clothes, and a towel. 

Running a gym definitely comes with its challenges. Keeping all the equipment in top shape has been a big task, especially with COVID-19 making it difficult to get parts and maintain everything properly. Ensuring that everything stays clean, tidy, and fully functioning requires constant attention.

Fortunately, I have a fantastic team of staff and we also work closely with allied health professionals, including exercise physiologists, personal trainers, and others, to support our members. We have a diverse range of clients, including those with disabilities and NDIS participants, and it's rewarding to be able to supply and assist them with their fitness needs.

Managing a gym with over 4,500 members means keeping everything running smoothly and ensuring everyone follows the rules. It’s a balancing act, but it’s worth it. The shared goal of improving health and fitness brings a sense of community and cooperation, which makes the effort worthwhile. Despite the hurdles, seeing everyone work toward their goals and being generally happy with their progress is incredibly fulfilling.

(Katie and Micael at the front desk of F-Fitness Goonellabah)

Looking to the future, we’re always focused on upgrading and introducing new things. Since the renovation of the Wyrallah gym in 2018, we’ve been continuously working to improve. As of 2022, we’re aiming to expand to nearby areas, but for now, we’re concentrating on fine-tuning everything here. The gym is almost at full capacity, and we’re excited for the new equipment that’s set to arrive by the end of the year.

Our goal is to stay in Lismore and continue providing top-notch facilities and services. Owning and operating these gyms means I’m here seven days a week, early and late, but I’m so grateful for being able to do what I love as a career alongside my incredible wife, Katie.

I love being around Lismore and the Northern Rivers, and one of my favourite parts is exploring all the local coffee shops and attending events like the Lantern Parade and surrounding markets and will continue my journey within this lovely region.