Photo by Brent Clark Photos
Kyle Hanigosky
Passions can change and dreams can shift, which makes life intimidating but exciting. For Grove City resident Kyle Hanigosky, his entire professional life flipped upside down when he was confronted with bad news.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and development at the University of Cincinnati, Hanigosky moved to central Ohio and began a desk job. Around 2008 though, the U.S. economy was on the rocks, and Hanigosky was laid off.
Photo by Brent Clark Photos
Thankfully, he was already providing personal training to clients at a Grove City gym. He decided he would work as a trainer until he found a new office job, but then he heard about CrossFit and gave it a try.
“It kicked my butt,” Hanigosky says. “It was a terrible feeling but a great feeling at the same time.”
CrossFit is a variety of movements – rowing, gymnastics, weightlifting or running – performed with high-intensity. Many believe it’s a franchise, but it’s actually just a brand of fitness; to teach and independently own a CrossFit gym, though, a certification is needed. Once Hanigosky realized his new passion, he quickly gained CrossFit certification and began teaching high-intensity classes in addition to his personal training at the gym.
Photo by Brent Clark Photos
Shortly after, he realized that the Grove City area could benefit from a dedicated CrossFit gym because, at the time, there were none south of Interstate 70. Collaborating with a partner, Hanigosky opened his first CrossFit certified gym in 2012, Southern Columbus CrossFit.
“One of the things my grandfather always told me was find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life,” Hanigosky says. “I like helping people, I love fitness and I’ve always been involved with it even at a younger age.”
After moving the business to accommodate growth,
the new 7,200-square-foot facility resides just north of downtown Grove City. Hanigosky is the sole owner and is certified in CrossFit levels one and two, weightlifting, and gymnastics.
Photo by Brent Clark Photos
“Being that motivation for someone or helping them achieve goals they never thought they were going to do, seeing someone do a box jump for the first time or getting them to do a pull-up, it’s very, very rewarding,” he says. “Sometimes, it’s more rewarding – that feeling or that expression they exert from accomplishing that – than actually receiving a pay check.”
Hanigosky says Southern Columbus CrossFit prides itself on creating a welcoming environment, properly introducing the fitness routine to newcomers through educational courses, and providing in-depth coaching for physical and mental strength.
“We are always going back to what brought (a client) to the gym in the first place and asking, are we doing the right things to get them on that path? And if we’re not, what can we do to fix that?” Hanigosky says. “My goal is to make sure clients have a great experience. I don’t want to continue to add stress to their life. What can I do to make it better?”
Photo courtesy of Kyle Hanigosky
Group helping with CrossFit for Dreams
More than CrossFit
When Hanigosky learned about Grove City Buddy Ball – a community league where people with mental and physical challenges play baseball in a supportive environment – he wanted Southern Columbus CrossFit to help the organization, partially for personal reasons.
In 1969, Hanigosky’s father, Michael, was hit by a drunk driver. He survived, but the accident caused damage to his legs, which resulted in a lifelong limp and chronic discomfort.
“He overcame so much,” Hanigosky says. “My dad would always ask every time I saw him, ‘How’s business?’ So, he was very supportive.”
After fighting a string of illnesses, Michael died on Sept. 16, 2018.
“My dad is one of my heroes,” Hanigosky says.
Making a single donation to Buddy Ball didn’t seem big enough, so Hanigosky decided to go all out. With help from one of his clients, Karen Robinson, Southern Columbus CrossFit formed CrossFit for Dreams, an annual event where participants do CrossFit-related activities and challenges to raise money for Buddy Ball. In the past, there have also been raffles, a silent auction, bounce houses and more.
Photos courtesy of Kyle Hanigosky
“I think it’s really cool to see these individuals go out there, who have a disability, and just see the joy they express on their faces,” Hanigosky says of Buddy Ball athletes.
The activities and intense workouts pay off, and in 2018 Southern Columbus CrossFit raised more than $10,000 for Buddy Ball.
Due to bad weather the past three years, though, the fundraiser has never been hosted on the Mirolo Dream Field at Mount Carmel Stadium, where Buddy Ball is played. For the fourth annual event, Hanigosky is not only hoping for another success, but sunshine.
“It feels good to be able to give something back to the community and spread my passion of fitness with others,” he says. “Also, we’re praying for great weather.”
Look for more information regarding a time and place for the 2019 CrossFit for Dreams on Southern Columbus CrossFit’s Facebook page.
Photo by Brent Clark Photos
A Powerful Support
Opening a business can be stressful. Thankfully, Hanigosky says his coworkers, the Buddy Ball community and his family have been nothing but supportive.
“When I decided I was going to open up my own CrossFit facility, my wife and I had just found out that we were pregnant. And I told myself if I don’t do this now, I don’t think I’ll ever do it,” Hanigosky says. “Looking back, I made the right decision, and my wife has been there to support me.”
The shift in professional passions has definitely paid off for Hanigosky.
Lydia Freudenberg is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at lfreudenberg@cityscenemediagroup.com.
