16 Years of Genki Fit – A Big Thank You

Somehow… Genki Fit is 16 years old this month. SIXTEEN! That’s longer than most reality TV careers and nearly as dramatic (at least when Deano loses or Jess has to do planks!)

I want to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who’s made Genki Fit what it is today.

It started with a small idea in a small town...

Genki Fit was born from my brother David’s experience teaching in a rural village in Japan, where he saw just how powerful movement could be in creating connection and improving wellbeing. Inspired by the Japanese word Genki (元気) — meaning health, energy, and vitality — he launched a small, grassroots fitness business in Smythesdale, Haddon and Ballarat.

Over the years, Genki Fit has run over 2,000 classes, been part of seven Mother’s Day Classics, raised thousands of dollars for local families and charities, and supported thousands of people on their fitness journeys.

And we started with just 2 or 3 sessions a week — now we’re running 7 to 8 classes a week, and somehow, people still turn up at 6:15am. Miracles do happen.

The Ellis Legacy (a.k.a. My Parents are Legends)

But let’s go back even further, to the OGs! The Ellis family has been dedicating themselves to the communities of Smythesdale and Scarsdale for over 50 years.

My dad Mick (the original hype man) has been a teacher, coach, CFA volunteer, committee member, and all-round good guy. Mum, Jenny, was right there on local committees, doing water conservation with school students and remembering everyone’s names before they even introduced themselves (or at least pretending to!).

When David started Genki Fit in 2009, they were there. When I took over in 2019 — they were still there. And they haven’t left since. Seriously, they still wake up at 6am and come to almost every single class; Mum on the door welcoming new people, Dad cracking jokes in the front row of Pilates. They’re the social glue of Genki Fit. (And apparently also the self-appointed “social workers”; I don’t disagree.)

Taking over the business

When Dave decided to pack up and travel Australia with his family in 2019, I took over. At first, I didn’t know if I could do it. I had the training, sure; I'd helped out with 6am Friday sessions in Ballarat and had been taking some extra classes, but stepping into the business as the leader? That was terrifying.

The first few months were rough. I felt like a fraud. I overthought everything. I worried that people wouldn’t connect with me. I wondered if I was enough. I spent all my time planning classes, without understanding that it's not just about delivering a great fitness session; to have the success we've had, you have to focus on the community, the conversations, and the social connection.

In those first few months, without the support, encouragement and feedback of long-timers Dean, Kris, Michelle, Kristy, Fiona, Esther, Debbie, Marie, Shayne, Denise, Carla, The Rosses (all of you!) and so many others, I think I would have given up. Thank you for showing up, for sticking with me, for laughing at my terrible jokes, and letting me grow into myself. You helped me gain the confidence to be myself: and that's how it's been ever since - singing, dancing, and making a few self-deprecating jokes.

Now, 8 years later, I couldn't imagine not running classes on a Monday and Wednesday night. I couldn't imagine not getting to do something I love so much that it feels like fun and never like work (which is good because I literally do not make any money doing this hahahaha).

In my 8 years on the job, I've gotten to help thousands of people gain fitness knowledge, confidence and happiness. We've done fun runs, charity events, fundraisers and food drives. We've raised money and awareness for charity. We ran 4 classes per week online during Covid and people actually showed up on Zoom!!!!! In the last few years when popularity exploded, I had actual money that I could do actual good with.

Legends like Jess, Ian, Chloe, Harry, Stacey, Sheridan, Escher, Mel, and heaps more became ingrained into the 'OG' name. The #NewOgs, if you please. Some have stayed, some have moved on, and it's been amazing to have these amazing personalities become part of the Genki Family.

Genki Fit has always been more than fitness classes.

Now, it’s Sweat for the SoupBus, it’s sponsoring dogs like Jasper and TukTuk, it’s free workshops at community markets, it’s connection, purpose, movement (and more singing than you probably bargained for - sorry Dean!). It’s a place where people show up for each other, celebrate small wins, support each other through the best and worst times.

So, Thank You.

To every single person who has turned up to a class.

To my family, especially Mum and Dad, for showing up for both David and me, without fail. In the last few years a massive thank you needs to go to Paige and Chelsea (my awesome nieces) who would help out on short notice to model Pilates movements if I was sick and/or dying (remember the kidney stones? I sure bloody do).

To the communities of Smythesdale and surrounds, thank you for being the heartbeat of Genki Fit.

To every sweaty high five, every game of Fitness Monopoly, and every laugh shared.

To those who come every week, to those who drop in once a month.

I truly believe that movement changes lives. But community connection is what makes it last.

If you’ve ever felt welcomed, supported, or uplifted at Genki Fit — that’s thanks to the people in the room. It’s always been about you.

Here’s to the next chapter — and many more years of sweaty, joyful, heart-filled movement.

Now let’s party. (And by party, I mean squats and stretches. Obviously.)