Real Talk About Building a Gym, Facing Adversity, and Staying Balanced

Starting a business is never easy. Starting one with maxed-out credit cards, no connections, and zero experience in a new city is even tougher. But for Brian Strump, that was just the beginning. In this episode of The Balanced CEO, Brian sits down with Chris to share his story of how he built a thriving gym in Charlotte, navigated floods, IRS threats, and burnout, and found his rhythm through patience, humility, and hard-earned lessons.

From Chiropractic to CrossFit

Brian began his career as a chiropractor in Cleveland. After a few years of practice, he and his wife moved to Charlotte with no jobs and no network. He discovered CrossFit in 2007 and immediately saw the potential to combine chiropractic care with functional fitness. By 2009, he left traditional practice and opened a hybrid gym and clinic, despite having no budget, minimal space, and a makeshift business card printed at home.

The early days were scrappy. The workouts were held in parks, and the gym equipment was crammed into utility closets and bathrooms. But what they lacked in resources, they made up for in passion. Brian focused on helping people move better and feel stronger. Some of his first members are still with him today.

Overcoming Adversity

Brian has faced serious challenges over the years. One day, he received a 5 AM call from a coach reporting a leak. It turned out to be a flood, with water covering most of the gym floor. A few weeks later, he received a notice from the IRS, claiming his business owed $1.6 million in payroll taxes due to tax fraud. Someone had stolen identities, used his business information, and filed fake W-2s.

Despite the panic, Brian stayed calm. He credits his ability to lead through chaos to years of experience in sports and business. He focused on what he could control, worked with the authorities, and kept his team moving forward. In both cases, the issues were resolved, but the lessons stuck with him.

Finding Balance in the Chaos

In the beginning, Brian was like many entrepreneurs—doing everything, all the time. He worked long hours, coached classes, treated patients, and managed the day-to-day chaos. Over time, he learned the value of creating space. Whether it was stepping away to think clearly, asking for help, or taking time to recharge, he realized that constant hustle does not equal success.

Now, Brian prioritizes structure. He has more help, clearer roles, and more balance between business and family life. He and his wife both run businesses, and they support each other through the ups and downs. He credits becoming a father with softening his leadership style and improving his communication, both at home and in business.

Gym vs. Chiropractic: Which One Wins?

After over 20 years in chiropractic and 15 years owning a gym, Brian has a clear favorite. The gym wins. While chiropractic allowed him to help people, the gym gave him more freedom, creativity, and scale. He finds joy in coaching, mentoring his team, and building a supportive community where people grow stronger in every sense.

Lessons in Leadership and Patience

Brian believes most business owners underestimate the time it takes to succeed. Unrealistic goals are okay, as long as you’re willing to be patient. He shares how working through adversity taught him to lead with calm, trust the process, and communicate more effectively. Whether it was navigating IRS disputes or cleaning up floods, his ability to stay focused helped keep the business alive.

As he puts it, “If you want something big, you need to be patient. You can't dig a hole and throw the dirt back in because you're frustrated. That just makes it harder.”

Listen to the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

If this episode resonated with you and you're looking for something to help you reflect and realign, you might enjoy my book Labels to Legacy. It’s a practical and personal guide for anyone ready to build with intention.

If you’re in a season where you’re growing something and want a bit more clarity or support, feel free to reach out. I work with leaders who want to keep things simple and meaningful.