Why Mimi Rogers and Bradley Morris opened Iron Palace in Gympie

A Gympie-born couple’s leap of faith is already paying off despite being faced with the challenges of a once-in-a-century global pandemic.

A Gympie-born couple, Mimi Rogers and Bradley Morris have overcome the challenges of Covid to open their own 'old-school' gym, Iron Palace, and their leap of faith is already starting to pay off. Picture: Iron Palace

In the middle of a global pandemic, with lockdowns looming around every corner, a Gympie couple took a leap of faith to realise their dream of opening their own gym.

Throwing open the doors to Iron Palace in February of this year, Mimi Rogers and Bradley Morris said the lead up to the opening day was a whirlwind.

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Miss Rogers said Mr Morris came to her last year with what she thought at the time was the most “unrealistic investment” to open their own gym.

“We decided to give it a crack and open up a place we only dreamt to be able to train in,” Miss Rogers said.

“The next six months were crazy, a crazy hustle that ended in the Iron Palace coming to life.”

Iron Palace are running a 1000lb club, where both members and non-members can come and try to lift 1000lb over three lifts (squat, dead lift and bench) within an hour. Picture: Iron Palace

Nearly six months after opening their Violet St gym, Miss Rogers and Mr Morris have been left gobsmacked by the community’s response to their risky business venture.

“It’s honestly overwhelming with how much support we have had in the first six months of business,” Miss Rogers said.

“We are so appreciative of all the support we have had so far and can’t thank everyone enough.”

Miss Rogers said their business is already kicking goals with Iron Palace sponsoring two athletes, a Gympie touch team and the under 16 Gympie Devils.

“It is crazy to see people playing sports we grew up playing wearing jerseys with our gym on it,” she said.

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Miss Rogers and Mr Morris have lived and trained in Gympie their whole lives and wanted to create a gym that felt old-school, fun and uplifting.

“People are free to be themselves, hit their goals and have fun along the way,” Miss Rogers said.

“We offer our 24 hour memberships, we also have two amazing personal trainers that offer both one-on-one and group sessions and we also run a group fitness class twice a week.”

Miss Rogers said the stress of Covid is always in the back of their minds, but they are trying to stay positive and take it day by day. Picture: Iron Palace

Miss Rogers said there have been challenging moments along the way, but these times have made the Iron Palace team stronger.

“The best moments are honestly just seeing people love the gym so much, having people come down and spend hours here because they love to spend time here, creating friends for life and helping people improve their life along the way, it is so rewarding,” she said.

“Also having a merchandise line, and seeing it flooded through the town has been such a humbling part of this journey too.

“Everyday we are pinching ourselves seeing that our little dream has come to life.”

The Iron Never Lies. Our whole gym is based on these 4 words.Iron equalises us.Rich or poor, tall or small, good day...

Posted by Iron Palace on Thursday, July 15, 2021