COMMUNITY IS THE CHANGE YOU NEED
Today’s guest post is by Ricky Kompf, a Syracuse, NY–based strength coach. He interned at Cressey Sports Performance and has built a strong reputation as a go‑to coach in Central New York. In this piece, he explains why building a community can make a big difference for your clients, athletes, and fitness business.
I consider myself a mindful, deep person. Over the years I’ve studied psychology to help people better, and I’ve found that sometimes a single idea from psychology can be more powerful than a whole book of strength and conditioning concepts. I want to share a tough experience that turned into a breakthrough. It confirmed I’m doing meaningful work and showed there’s a bigger need for fitness professionals—even from people who may not think they need our help.
The moment happened during jury duty, with 375 Central New Yorkers waiting to hear if they would serve on a trial. It wasn’t a pleasant scene—people were frustrated, hungry, and tired. I tried not to stress over what I couldn’t control and used diaphragmatic breathing to stay calm.
As the hours passed, I watched the room and became a silent observer. This group was a microcosm of society. Many seemed overweight, somewhat depressed, with poor posture, looking run down. I could count the people in decent shape on one hand. Then the proctor asked who had any medical condition that could affect their ability to serve. More than half the room stood up and moved to the front. That’s well over 150 people. It was a stark reminder of how common health issues are.
It hit me: in this country, being healthy is the minority. We’re often dealing with weight, depression, and reliance on medications, and we mistake this as normal. To me, healthy and happy are tightly linked. You have to be healthy to be happy, and you have to be happy to stay healthy.
As a fitness professional, you’re not just delivering results—you’re delivering happiness. It’s the sense of control over your health, your quality of life, and your own future. So how do we get people who don’t want or can’t afford our help to become healthier? It starts with community.
There’s a saying: you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. The people around you influence every choice you make. In my work, I’ve often built a small, like‑minded community of clients who support one another. When you’re good, they’ll even hang out outside the gym. That’s your real change. Many of your clients may come to you through word of mouth, which means people talk about you beyond the gym walls. The bigger and stronger your community, the more impact you’ll have on your area’s health. One‑on‑one training can limit how many people you reach, so community is the secret sauce to your goals.
Mark Fisher Fitness shows what a lasting fitness community can look like. A community gives people permission to change, or at least a gentle nudge in that direction. Look at your current clientele: do they hang out together? Do they connect on social media? Do you showcase them? Are they excited to tell others about your work? If you’re not seeing those signs, it’s time to act.
As a fitness pro, you’re the mayor of your health‑conscious community. Exercise is a vehicle for a life well lived.
Actionable takeaways
– Create a Facebook group that brings all your clients together, with regular information and 10–15 minute live updates. Highlight their videos and achievements.
– Use Instagram to showcase how strong and capable your athletes are. People love recognition.
– Plan group events outside the gym—Spartan races, 5Ks, team dinners, book or movie clubs, and even mass texts to keep everyone connected.
– If you have athletes, attend their games to show your support.
About the author
Richard Kompf, BS, CSCS
Strength and conditioning coach and internship supervisor for Scollo Strength and Performance. Located inside Pacific Health Club, just outside Syracuse, NY. Specializing in explosive athletes and general population clients.
