This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
Rediscovering my passion in the slow burn of failure ¶
Philip Namasaka, a certified personal trainer, took a year out in 2012 to reflect on his life and business ventures.
He had been pursuing various ventures for 12 years, but it wasn't until he sold his businesses and moved upcountry that he finally found the courage to follow his dream for fitness.
Philip, 41, opened the doors to Feel Fitness Centre in 2016, with his partner Cathy Kilonzo, who is also a certified trainer and the originator of Afrobics, an African dance-based fitness programme.
Feel Fitness Centre focuses on using space, movement, resistance, and body weight to help everyday people find optimum fitness while improving their health.
Their clientele ranges from those as young as six to those over 60, because they believe it's never too early to get moving or too late to get in shape.
Philip's journey to opening Feel Fitness Centre was not an easy one. He played rugby in high school and had plans to join the military, but an injury forced him to sell clothes for a living.
He did this for seven years, but his passion for fitness remained. He finally found the courage to pursue his dream after a long-term relationship fell apart and his businesses started struggling.
Philip invested in a trainer course with the American Council of Exercise and enrolled at Kenyatta University for an undergraduate degree in sports science.
He worked freelance for a while, making fairly decent money, but he eventually decided to open his own space to save clients' money and capitalise on the revenue.
Philip's start-up capital was Sh2.5 million, which went towards renovating the premises and buying equipment.
Their membership fee is Sh7,000 per month, but they offer a discounted cost of Sh6,000 for the first month of membership.
They also offer personal training at Sh3,000 per session and have a nutritionist available at an extra cost.
Philip's programmes include Body Combat, circuit training, rhumba, aerobics and toning, and Afrobics, which is a product specific to Feel Fitness Centre.
Afrobics is a choreographed African dance movement to the beat of African drums, and it's highly popular because very few people are doing it.
Philip's advice to anyone trying to improve their fitness is to find a programme that works for them and stick to it.
