Gold Coast entrepreneur Mike Kellett - of Macro Mike - launches community gym in Burleigh Heads

A health food entrepreneur who credits joining a gym with changing his life has launched his own gym on the Gold Coast – and it’s a little different to what you’d usually find. READ THE FULL STORY HERE

AT age 17 Gold Coast entrepreneur and former bodybuilder Mike Kellett was overweight and depressed and being bullied at school in his native England.

He lost his dad at age 12 and had steadily gained weight to top 100kg.

That was until Mr Kellett joined a gym and found his salvation.

He lost 30kg but more importantly shed the self-esteem issues that plagued him.

Today, Mr Kellett, who immigrated to Australia and later founded leading protein powder producer Macro Mike, says he has launched a community gym to offer the same support he received as a depressed teenager.

Macro Gym founder Mike Kellett pictured with partner Laura Day at the new premises. Photo: Scott Powick

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“The gym was my safe space and it helped me feel confident,” he said.
“That is what we’re trying to do with Macro Gym.”

Located appropriately on Proper Cres in Burleigh Heads, the 600sq m premises previously were occupied by the Hold Your Own gym, catering to bodybuilders.

Mr Kellett said he wants Macro Gym to something different - a place where “oddballs” who don’t resemble “Instagram-worthy” models feel welcome and safe.

He said to enhance the community appeal, they have capped numbers at 500 maximum and take a polaroid picture of each member to put up on the wall.

Macro Mike founder Mike Kellett has seen has seen sales soar by 300 per cent for his products including his double choc protein brownies. Picture: Jerad Williams

In addition, there are so-called “social classes” on Saturday where getting to know the fellow gym members over a protein shake or coffee is the name of the game.

With 100 foundation members, the gym is showing strong signs of growth and Mr Kellett fully intends on leveraging the Macro Mike brand to get people through the door.

He said the gym involved countless hours renovating the space to make it ready with profit a distant goal.

“We are very much sort of the business is fuelled by passion and innovation rather than being money hungry.”

Macro Mike products, including its peanut butter plant-based protein powder, are stocked at 2000 outlets across Australia.

Sales have soared 300 per cent in the past eight months.