Where the Beach Gets Fit

Giavanni Ruffin: The Athlete Who Takes No Days Off

You’ve probably heard of the mantra ‘Take No Days Off or even come across the man behind it, Giavanni Ruffin. But what you might not know is how this viral fitness brand began not in a gym, but in a storm of personal struggle and relentless drive. In this episode, we sit down with Giavanni Ruffin—former D1 athlete, NFL hopeful, and founder of Take No Days Off Gym. Giavanni opens up about his turbulent upbringing, his transformation after a life-changing talk with his mother, and the wild journey from a Twitter hashtag to a seven-figure fitness empire. Giavanni shares what it's really like to lead others while still growing yourself and how purpose, not profit, has always been his true north. Plus, you’ll get to hear about the upcoming community event on July 4th at Wareing’s Gym featuring the legend himself and other community events planned down the pipeline. 🎧 We’re excited to share this one with you.  Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Giavanni shares his background and training history (02:33) Struggles with depression and breakthrough into fitness (06:21) Business setbacks and discovering true passion (08:12) Making millions selling shirts (10:34) Childhood challenges and the turning point in high school (16:53) Rise to football stardom and college recruitment (23:14) Eric Thomas' video story and unexpected virality (27:01) Training philosophies and community collaboration (31:59) Upcoming community events (35:48) Additional Resources Giavanni Ruffin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giavanniruffin [https://www.instagram.com/giavanniruffin/tagged/?hl=en] TNDO Gym: https://www.instagram.com/tndogym [https://www.instagram.com/tndogym] Eric Thomas Viral Motivational Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ] —- Upcoming Deka event: https://wareingsgym.com/deka/ [https://wareingsgym.com/deka/] Register for Hyrox PFT: https://pft.hyrox.com/event/805de607-f82a-44cf-bec0-331d397b9a7c [https://pft.hyrox.com/event/805de607-f82a-44cf-bec0-331d397b9a7c] — Not a Wareing’s member? Get Started here: https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/ [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645 [https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645] Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Let’s Connect:  Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym [http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym] X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym [https://twitter.com/wareings_gym] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/ [https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/] —  Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.   Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

How Wareing’s Gym Is Bridging the Gap Between Police and Virginia Beach Communities

You’re working out side-by-side with a police officer, both of you sweating through an intense workout, yet instead of the usual tension, there’s a sense of camaraderie and respect. Sounds unusual, right? Officer Kishon Roberts joins Jesse Wareing to discuss a game-changing initiative in Virginia Beach. In this episode, Officer Kishon Roberts, Community Liaison Officer at Virginia Beach Police, shares his mission to strengthen bonds between law enforcement and local residents, particularly in neighborhoods with historically low trust in the police. Through a unique initiative with Wareing’s gym, we are bringing residents and police officers together for an intense workout session, proving that shared physical challenges can break down barriers and create trusting connections. Through the shared struggles of a tough workout, the gap between police and communities can significantly come down. Officer Roberts reflects on his role as a community liaison and how his own experiences growing up in a low-income neighborhood shape his approach to policing. Jesse and Officer Roberts also touch on future community events and outreach programs that are in the pipeline, and plans to take over all Virginia Beach communities with this initiative Don't miss this inspiring conversation that proves the power of community, fitness, and building trust one workout at a time! Tune in! Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Officer Roberts discusses the origins of his relationship with Wareing’s Gym (01:11) The "sweat equality" idea and its impact on community-police relations (03:12) The challenging workout that helped break barriers between residents and police (04:31) The community outreach goals for the workout program (05:50) Expanding the initiative to other neighborhoods (06:53) Vision for changing community perceptions of law enforcement (08:04) Officer Roberts reflects on what inspired him to become a community liaison officer (11:33) How Officer Roberts became passionate about community service [16:42) Take No Days Off program (21:34) Additional Resources Kishon Roberts: https://www.facebook.com/kishon.raines/ [https://www.facebook.com/kishon.raines/] — Not a Wareing’s member? Get Started here: https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/ [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645 [https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645] Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Let’s Connect:  Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym [http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym] X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym [https://twitter.com/wareings_gym] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/ [https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/] —  Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.   Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Simple Practices That Will Transform Your Mental Health

In this episode, Jake Wareing sits down with Ragan Killen, a Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of VB Counseling Collective, to discuss the realities of balancing mental health, work, and life. Ragan shares how she got into counseling, why she chose to start her own private practice during the pandemic, and the important lessons she has picked up along the way. Jake and Ragan also explore some simple but effective practices, like gratitude journaling, and why these small habits can make a huge difference in our mental health. They also chat about the role of therapy in overall wellness and how the mental and physical health worlds should go hand in hand. If you need some guidance on how to find balance, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss! Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Challenges in balancing personal and professional life (02:40) First job experience at Virginia Beach Psych Center (05:10) Transition from inpatient care to private practice (13:15) Impact of being a mother on professional life (15:11) The role of gratitude journaling and simple self-care (20:14) Mental health and physical health integration (28:50) Importance of therapy as part of routine healthcare (33:49) Future plans for VB Counseling Collective (43:36)  Additional Resources VB Counseling Collective Website [https://www.vbcounselingcollective.com/] VB Counseling Collective Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/vbcounselingcollective/] VB Counseling Collective Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vbcounselingcollective/] — Not a Wareing’s member? Get Started here: https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/ [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645 [https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645] Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Let’s Connect:  Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym [http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym] X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym [https://twitter.com/wareings_gym] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/ [https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/] —  Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.   Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Jimmy Mitchum & Jesse Wareing Reflect on Growth, Grit, and Giving Back

What does it really take to build confidence as a coach? What does it really take to go from feeling like an outsider to becoming a trusted coach? This episode takes us behind the scenes with our head coach here at Wareing’s gym, Jimmy Mitchum, and Jesse Wareing. These 2 are longtime coaches and pillars here at Wareing’s Gym and are now shaping the next generation of elite coaches through mentorship and training. As well as building a culture based on trust and effort. They open up about their early struggles, tough lessons from mentors, and how they turned doubt into confidence. Jesse and Jimmy dig into what it means to grow as a coach, from battling imposter syndrome to mastering the art of clear communication and creating a supportive gym family. They also reveal the importance of quality over quantity in training and why effort matters more than volume. Hit play and get inspired by their authentic stories and proven strategies. Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Jimmy’s start at Wareing’s Gym in 2013-2014 (01:11) Early coaching challenges and learning on the job (02:38) Transition from mentee to mentor role (05:53) Learning from client feedback and mistakes (07:26) Importance of tough love in coaching (09:24) Biggest challenge: building coach confidence (13:02) Embracing failure like a “Gunslinger” (14:19) Earning client trust through education and care (17:38) Overcoming imposter syndrome with clear standards (22:18) Jimmy’s thoughts on the Wareing’s family (30:24) Daily routines for Jimmy and Jesee (38:26) Process for onboarding new clients (42:08)  Additional Resources Connect with Jimmy: https://www.instagram.com/jimmywaynemitchum [https://www.instagram.com/jimmywaynemitchum] Connect wth Jesse: https://www.instagram.com/jessewareing/ [https://www.instagram.com/jessewareing/] — Not a Wareing’s member? Get Started here: https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/ [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645 [https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645] Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Let’s Connect:  Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGymhttp://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym [http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym] X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gymhttps://twitter.com/wareings_gym [https://twitter.com/wareings_gym] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/ [https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/] —  Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.   Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

How Yorkie's Modern Deli Changed the Entire Virginia Beach Community

Meet Kip Poole, founder of Yorkie's, a “modern deli” that’s flipping the script on what a restaurant can be. Kip is a culinary educator, nonprofit founder, and reality TV alum whose journey through burnout, culinary transformation, and radical community building has led to something much more than just sandwiches. In this episode, Kip shares the origin of Yorkie's, born from his father’s advice and years of high-level culinary and educational work. We discuss how food can be a tool for healing and mentorship, the challenges of balancing purpose with personal wellness, and why slowing down can actually speed up your impact. Kip highlighted the success of the Crop Foundation, which he started in 2012 to support culinary education and community engagement. Upcoming plans include meal planning classes, community soccer events, and expanding Yorkie's impact here in Virginia Beach. Kip is building a cultural movement, and his story is worth a listen. Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Kip’s nonstop lifestyle and physical movement (01:04) Introduction of Kip and the origin of Yorkie's (06:22) Picking the Yorkie's location and naming inspiration (10:08) HBO’s The Big Brunch experience (14:11) Mental challenges and stress from the show (18:49) CROP Foundation’s inception and student impact (25:05) Food as a vehicle for community and connection (29:23) Why meal prep is so difficult but necessary (31:57) Hardest lesson from starting Yorkie's: slowing down (43:44) Youth-led creativity and the power of giving space (49:12)  Additional Resources Yorkie's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yorkiesvb/?hl=en] – Kip’s restaurant and community space Yorkie's Website [https://yorkiesvb.com/about] Kip’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lcdfoodie/?hl=en] Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara [https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573] – Book influential to Kip’s philosophy CROP Foundation [https://www.facebook.com/thecropfoundation/] – Kip’s nonprofit supporting young culinary students  — Not a Wareing’s member? Get Started here: https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/ [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645 [https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645] Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com [https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/] Let’s Connect:  Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym [http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym] X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym [https://twitter.com/wareings_gym] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/ [https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/] —  Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.   Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.