From Parkour to Business Success: The Inspiring Journey of the Founders of EA Gymnastics
Paving a way from athleticism to entrepreneurship
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While success stories have always embraced the limelight for the inspiration they offer, some stories stand out for resonating with the masses. People feel empowered to see someone overcoming their real-life situations to become leaders in an industry. One such story is the journey of Ashleigh Moore and Benjamin Walker, who battled hardships to own a thriving business empire. Ash and Ben are the co-founders of EA Gymnastics and Gym Club Solutions, two unique ventures transforming the gymnastics industry in the UK.
Growing up in different single-parent households in disadvantaged areas, Ashleigh and Benjamin attended Kirkley High School, an institution known for its tumultuous behavior, as highlighted in Gene Simmons’ rock school TV show. Academically, they weren’t the intellectuals in the class. Instead, Ben and Ash struggled to accept the conventional education system that seemed irrelevant to their passion and dreams.
Their path to success began when they stumbled upon parkour videos on YouTube during their high school years. Parkour, still in its infancy in the early 2000s, became a way for them to express themselves despite the sport facing negative comments and reactions from their peers. Standing at the crossroads of conforming to societal norms or pursuing their passion and facing the challenges head-on, Ash and Ben made a stark choice that eventually shaped their career in the gymnastics industry.
Their journey into gymnastics began when they joined a local club to master somersaults. Volunteering and coaching at the club became a stepping stone for Ash and Ben, leading them to a future in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics. While coaching, Ben also ventured into personal training, eventually gaining recognition. An unexpected meeting with internet sensation KSI and a subsequent call from DRE LONDON, Post Malone’s manager, marked a turning point in their career. After being invited backstage at Reading festival with Dre & Post Malone, surrounded by celebrities, ignited a spark in them that culminated in a desire to fulfil their dreams and start a business.
Despite financial challenges, Ash found a perfect venue in Great Yarmouth, with no capital available, they took a risk and used a loan to fund their dream. Apart from the economic challenges, it was about developing the audacity to be different, to reinvent gymnastics, and to make it fun & educational for children. The early days involved coaching, building systems, and relentless leaflet marketing in freezing temperatures. The COVID-19 pandemic hit their business hard, forcing them to shift to universal credit. Yet, amidst all the adversities, they created all the foundations for EA Gymnastics and Gym Club Solutions.
Following their dream, Ash and Ben took a calculated risk during the pandemic, spending the last of their money on acquiring equipment from other gym clubs on the verge of shutting down. After gathering and storing equipment, when the lockdowns were relieved, their business accelerated, expanding from one gym to eight in just four years, providing opportunities to 4K children weekly and offering jobs to over 100 employees.
For Ash and Ben, the vision extended beyond EA Gymnastics to create Gym Club Solutions, supporting affiliated clubs nationwide & educating coaches globally. The introduction of EA Gymnastics franchises in 2024 will mark a new chapter for the business empire that aims to create a roadmap for gymnasts to become coaches, and coaches to become business leaders.
Ben holds a world record for the heaviest man to do a freestanding handstand pushup & specialises in business communication and education. Ash is a Level 5 high performance coach who specialises in business systems for gymnastics clubs. The journey for this entrepreneur duo, from Parkour enthusiasts to millionaire business owners, is about overcoming challenges no matter where you are from and giving back to the community. The EA Gymnastics franchise and Gym Club Solutions empower individuals from childhood to business ownership, creating a unique ecosystem of growth and opportunity for children and adults involved in the program.
Ash and Ben aspire to connect with experts, increase knowledge, and expand their franchises to propel their vision. They want to see EA Gymnastics as the global brand for child-centered coaching and Gym Club Solutions becoming a leading governing body & education source for gymnastics clubs worldwide. Their story reflects the power of passion and perseverance, making them role models to millions chasing their big dreams regardless of their background.