The Business of Changing Lives
Today’s Small Business Saturday feature includes a photo of a giant pair of panties. (Take THAT search engines!)
Joe Martin’s wicked sense of humor and savvy PR skills definitely come in handy when it’s time to spread the word about Huntsville Adventure Boot Camp. He’s described often in his client testimonials as “a lifesaver”. If you’re one of the many local women who have tried his popular fitness boot camps, you’ll understand why. His fitness programs not only involve weight loss, they have helped people battle depression, bust stress, cure insomnia, tap into their personal potential, and even start a family. (It turns out when you feel great and lead a healthier lifestyle, sometimes that leads to… babies!)
Huntsville Adventure Boot Camp started in July of 2009. Huntsville Adventure Boot Camp is part of the Adventure Boot Camp system that is the largest and most successful boot camp program in the world. World-renowned fitness expert and entrepreneur Dr. John Spencer Ellis started adventure Boot Camp in Orange County, CA.
I experienced Joe’s local sessions during a very chilly edition of Madison Adventure Boot Camp and was surprised at what I found – not an angry drill sergeant that screamed at the class, but an encouraging group of women that helped each other through a challenging & rewarding workout. Every day I looked forward to the next session.
Joe took some time to tell us more about the inception of HABC and share some of his business know-how.
What led you to start Huntsville Adventure Boot Camp?
I opened my business in July 2009. I had been working as a trainer since 2000 and would see how many people would join the gym and the completely fall off the face of the Earth. The Earth is flat correct? The gym is just not for everybody, particularly a lot of the women I know. So I wanted to offer what we call the “Ultimate Out of Gym experience”.
What does HABC do exactly, and who does it serve?
Every day I am going to wake up and change someone’s life. I will do this by providing a way to make exercise and health fun, effective, and addictive. My business serves women ages 18-80, blind, crippled, and crazy. Women of all shapes, sizes, and abilities are welcome and will get in a great workout at their own pace and on their own level.
What is the most challenging thing for you about owning a business?
The most challenging thing for me is the actual business side of things. Accounting, bookkeeping, etc… I’m the guy that chose my major in college by finding out what didn’t have much chemistry, physics, and math. I am finally at the point where I can hire someone to do those things for me, so I will stop messing them up.
What is your favorite thing about owning your own business?
The absolute best thing is being able to spend more time with my family. I spent a lot of years starting my day at 4:00 AM and not getting done with work until 7:30PM. Every day. So being able to pick up and drop my son off at school, have lunch with my wife, and having freedom in my schedule is huge for me.
HABC was voted Best Place In The Valley To Workout. Can you share any entrepreneurial advice with our readers?
A great book I would recommend is Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog! I was always a big procrastinator, so this book helped a lot. The basic premise is, if you had to eat a frog what would you do? Eat it and get it over with! Don’t let important tasks (frogs) hang over your head all day stressing you out.
And like mentioned before, hire people to do the things you can’t do or hate doing. You are able to be so much more creative and your business will thrive. Plus you can say, “I got people for that” at parties and amaze your friends.
Is there anything new you’re offering for women who haven’t tried out a session?
There are two new things coming up that I am really excited about. The first thing is, we are starting the very first 9 AM class starting on March 19th. It will be 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 45 minutes a day, in Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville. There are a lot of people that can’t make our other times and locations, so we listened and are very excited to start this new class.
The second thing is just for fun, but I can’t wait. It is what I am calling World Burpee Flash Mob Day. It started out as a joke and then it became a real thing. March 3rd at 12:00 PM at Bridge Street, I am hoping to get at least 100 people to meet up and start doing burpees, and then casually walk away. Haven’t you always wanted to be in a Flash Mob? Me too, so I started one. I’ve got someone to film it, I’ve applied to the Guinness Book of World Records for most people doing a burpee at once (no current record holder), created an event on Facebook, put out a press release. This is for anybody to attend. We have all walks of life coming so far. Young, old, men, women, children, possibly some dogs it’s going to be a fun and ridiculous day. That’s how I roll.
Now’s a great time to experience Huntsville Adventure Boot Camp for yourself – Joe’s giving away a free two-week session and a copy of the Tight Tummy in 10 Days nutrition plan for RCM readers who enter to win. How can you not after hearing this testimonial?
Somewhere along the way, boot camp did do something magical for me. Did it allow me to immediately become fit and lose weight? No. Even better: It showed me I have the potential to be AWESOME. When I first started a year ago, I was TERRIFIED. Now I am that amazing and powerful woman that I would have been in awe of a year ago. And if I’m her right now…who can I be in another year? I’ll tell you who: I’ll be LIMITLESS. –Kim Holmes, Big Girl Panty Award Winner
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I have a few friends that are big advocates of the Adventure Boot Camp and I have been needing a little push to try it out. I think two free weeks is a super incentive!
I keep wanting to try this boot camp, and I haven’t made the leap yet! Maaaybe.. with 2 free weeks… 🙂
LOVE Joe’s Huntsville ABC!!! EVEN at 5:30 AM!
LOVE me some Adventure Bootcamp!! Bootcamp has totally changed the way I look at working out. Between Keisha and Joe I have tried things that I never dreamed my middle aged body could do. Come one Come all to Adventure Bootcamp
I’m currently doing the bootcamp and I’m loving the results!
As a woman who Joe honest to God saved, I can’t recommend him enough. My only sad is that I’ve moved so far away (and yeah, started a family… is June here yet!?) He’s amazing, funny, goofy, and just plain amazing. It really does not matter how big or small you are. I was well over 300 pounds when I joined boot camp for the first time. If you can’t do something the rest of the class is doing? Joe will find you something you can do until you CAN do what the rest of the class is doing!
Now I’m still safely losing weight, much healthier than I was (healthy enough to have a kiddo hey!) and I owe it to Joe. GO SEE THIS MAN!
I <3 bootcamp!
his bootcamp is awesome!! 🙂 loved it! my fitness goal is to lose about 25 pounds!! all the baby weight from my 3 kiddos!!
My fitness goal is to be healthy. Two kids in two years hasn’t allowed me to really get on track with losing weight, but I’m hoping to change that this spring.
I need two weeks of bootcamp!
I have heard many great things about boot camp. I never thought I would do it, because I have NO desire to get up that early. However, with a couple of other options available, now, I might be willing to give it a try. I haven’t exercised in nearly a year, and I can definitely tell a difference in how I feel and look. Although I could stand to lose weight, my main goal, for now, it to get moving and have more energy.
Great interview! I have one coming up with him as well on my blog. Joe Martin IS SO AWESOME! Joe has such a great attitude and he is a lifesaver!
Contest notwithstanding, I can personally vouch for Joe and his bootcamps. He is a great guy, someone who will coach you through any bump in the road, not just what obstacles you find during the workout. He genuinely, honestly cares about people. He’s a great guy all-around, and THAT’S the guy you want to coach you.
HABC has got me moving in a positive direction again and I can see the results.
I love small business owners and Bootcamp not only benefits community, but teaches life lessons for fitness. Go Joe!! And because Joe’s Mom is a fellow Homemaker Club Member….that just closes the deal for me.
Look out Burpees…..here I come!
Donna Lanier
All Seasons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
256-539-2167
I’ve always wanted to try one of these classes! I’ve heard great things!
What a great opportunity to try this program! I have wanted to sign up before, but have been hesistant b/c I am terrible at running. I would love to win two free weeks in order to try the program!
My personal fitness goal is to get our of plus size clothing. It’s so hard for me to buy clothes because I biggest size is most stores. I’m ready to be back is misses instead of womens!
I did a month of Boot Camp and LOVED it! Would be very excited to get two more weeks for free! 🙂
My personal fitness goal is to be healthier overall and a better example to my children.
I want to get in shape and feel good about myself! After 2 kids back to back it seems impossible 🙁
Free???? I can afford that! Please help!
Kelly – I’m afraid this drawing is over. But check with us each Saturday as we highlight a small local business and they offer a free “gift” to our readers.