Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Hinojosa.
Hi Daniel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas by a loving single mother with two siblings in a typical Hispanic household- it was never empty. We didn’t have much and lived in a rough neighborhood, but my family kept us busy with sports- baseball and football. After high school, I moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas and East Austin quickly became my home. While in college, I began working with middle school students and launched my career in education. For the next 15 years, I worked in schools serving students that needed a little extra support. I was a tutor, mentor, counselor, coach, and eventually athletic director.
After 15 years, I found myself a little burned out and wanting to engage the community in a different way. When an opportunity to go to graduate school presented itself, I took it hoping to gain the business skills necessary to own my own business. After earning my MBA, I began planning to open the gym and was determined to locate it in East Austin. I looked forward to being able to give back to the community that made me feel so at home for so many years. On September 1, 2020, Lift ATX opened at the corner of Springdale Road and Airport Boulevard and we haven’t stopped grinding since!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We opened our gym on September 1, 2020, roughly seven months after the country was shut down by COVID. While COVID was still a major issue, we faced one of the worst freezes Texas has experienced. So yes, I would say we faced challenges. Although it hasn’t been a smooth road the entire time, we overcame and continue to overcome challenges by always involving the community, our members, our staff, and our trainers in planning and decision making.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Lift ATX is a gym with a primary focus of serving the community. In addition to providing an affordable, welcoming, inclusive environment to promote health and wellness, Lift ATX engages the community by hosting fundraisers, drives, and awareness events that center East Austin. Our gym is a showcase for local artists, our Manager and staff are born and raised Austinites, and we frequently feature local Austin vendors at our events and on busy weekends. And, one of our favorite features- Lift ATX, is dog friendly!
One of the things that I am most proud of is the number of people that want to represent and show support for the gym. Every time we drop Lift ATX merch, it sells out within about a day. It is really awesome to see the number of people reppin the Lift ATX brand- not only when they are here in different parts of Austin, but also when they travel across the nation and across the world. That is something really cool to see and something I never thought would happen.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, my wife. She has always been a voice of reason and a source of unwavering support. Second, my employees and trainers. They are the reason that Lift ATX is a whole vibe.
Third, the East Austin Community. The love and support is indescribable. I am forever grateful.
Fourth, all of my close, personal friends. They helped me make this dream a reality.
Pricing:
- $35/month + $25 one-time sign up fee
- Discounts provided for military, educators, first responders, and students
Contact Info:
- Email: danielh@liftatx.com
- Website: www.liftatx.com
- Instagram: @lift_atx
- Facebook: lift_atx
Image Credits:
@fotosgallegos @lacedandfound
