Community Highlights: Meet Michael Gorney of Brain Meets Brawn Fitness Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Gorney. 

Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
There was a time in my life where video games and sports took every waking moment of my time. I guess you could call it an epiphany but one day I woke up needing a big change. I packed up all of my stuff, sold it, and reinvested my time into starting a small business. At this time, it was 2013 and I was 23 years old living in downtown Detroit. It began with a website and some business cards posted around my local area. I used a “far below industry standards” workout room that was located in the building that I lived in and quickly began training a few individuals who lived in the same building. 

Fast forward to August 2019 and about a 4-year hiatus from operating Brain Meets Brawn. Like most things, life put a temporary hold on the business as I focused on my career and starting a family. 

But a unique opportunity presented itself to start BMB back up better than before. In June of 2019, I had significant knee surgery that put me out of work for over 3 months. During that final month, I came across an available building down the street from where I live in Ferndale. Through a combination of needing to work, boredom, and the wife’s approval I decided to give this business thing a real chance. Over the next 2 months, I put hundreds of hours into getting the foundation and framework of the business established. 

By September I was intaking my first clients and started training. From there, things consistently grew and we were looking at some decent success. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
On September 16th of 2019, my wife and I welcomed our first child, Myles. I remember this day not only for welcoming him into this world but also as the day I received a phone call from my first client, Amber. As I spoke with her it was mentioned that I was at the hospital and for what reasons. I think the fact that I was willing to take her call at the point in my life was enough for her to realize my dedication and she signed up on the spot! 

Balancing a business with a little one is no easy task, but thanks to my wife and her unlimited support we slowly moved forward learning how to balance life and work along the way. 

At this time, I was still working for another company as an athletic trainer with in-patient rehabilitation. In January 2020, ~4 months after Myles was born, this company did not take kindly to me starting back up Brain Meets Brawn and decided to let me go. In the moment it was nerve-racking and nauseating, however, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as from that point forward I was able to invest all of my time and energy into BMB. 

Over the coming months business picked up significantly and we were making a lot of progress building a cliental, adding new equipment, and building our community and online presence. 

Then the Covid cases started piling up. In March of 2020, the governor’s orders shut our doors indefinitely and things looked very bleak. 

Throughout the shutdown, I managed to pivot BMB into a virtual program filming countless exercises and workouts. It is very true that a small business owner wears many different hats as I quickly learned video editing techniques and a world of technology I had never interacted with before. 

Somehow, throughout the months we survived lockdown and slowly began to fully reestablish BMB operations. To date, we are stronger than ever and, hopefully, have many years ahead. 

We’ve been impressed with Brain Meets Brawn Fitness Solutions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
By trade, I am a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Michigan. I have nearly a decade of outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation experience working with a wide array of populations including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and orthopedics. Through my career, I noticed a gap in care for the general population who are suffering from pain and injury but want to get back to working out and playing sports but without the fear of further injury. 

Brain meets brawn is an alternative to traditional personal training & physical therapy. We bridge the gap between fitness & sports medicine combining the best elements of both industries. Do not let old injuries stop you from doing the things that you love most. turn to a new chapter in life and get back to your favorite sports and workouts. discover the solutions you will use to accomplish your most ambitious goals. 

The biggest idea that separates Brain Meets Brawn from our competition is our attention to detail. When others try to generalize individuals into generic workouts, we understand the complexities of the human body and how each individual requires their own path and guidance towards accomplishing their goals. 

We also separate ourselves by being a one-stop-shop. We can take you from a state of pain, injury, or post-surgery back to your favorite sports or workouts. 

Our solutions include fitness, rehabilitation, recovery, nutrition, and behavior strategies. We offer in-person and virtual options as well. One of the best parts about BMB is that you get access to all of these services through any session purchased. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
It has always been a goal of mine to read more. I don’t read fiction but enjoy learning about how this world (and universe) works. 

Business: 

The E Myth by Michael Gerber 

Princples by Ray Dalio 

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon 

Work: 

Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett 

Fun: 

Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking 

Blockchain Revolution by Don Tapscott 

Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb 

Podcast: 

Radiolab (any episode) 

Pricing:

• New Client Special | 4 60-minute sessions for $150
• 3-Month Membership | 12 60-minute sessions for $250 / month
• 10 Class Package | $250 | semi-private; 3-person max

Contact Info:

• Email: brainmeetsbrawn@gmail.com
• Website: www.bmbfitnesssolutions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmbfitnesssolutions/
• Facebook: facebook.com/BMBFitnessSolutions/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOiutZWiAnlYW08XHruBigw