Look, I didn't start this place 'cause I wanted to run another cookie-cutter gym. Been there, done that, hated every minute of it.
Back in 2019, I was training clients at one of those big box gyms - you know the type, all shiny machines and zero soul. Had a bad shoulder injury from years of competitive weightlifting, and honestly? I was burnt out. The whole fitness industry felt like it'd lost its way, y'know?
Then I took this trip to Iceland. Spent three weeks hiking, climbing, just moving the way humans are supposed to move. Met this old guy who trained with axe work and stone lifting - stuff his grandfather taught him. No fancy equipment, no BS. Just raw, functional strength that actually meant something.
That's when it clicked. All those Norse legends about guardians and warriors? They weren't just stories. They were about people who trained with purpose, who built strength that served their community. That's what I wanted to bring back here.
Started Yggdrasil Warden in a tiny warehouse space with maybe six people who believed in the vision. We didn't have much - some barbells, a few kettlebells, lots of open floor space. But man, the energy was different. People weren't just showing up to mindlessly do reps. They were training like it mattered.
Now we've got this amazing community of warriors - and yeah, I'm gonna call 'em that 'cause they earn it. Teachers, firefighters, parents, students... doesn't matter who you were before you walked in. Here, you're part of something bigger.
The tree - Yggdrasil - it's not just a cool Norse reference. It's about roots, growth, connecting everything together. That's what we're building here. Not just strong bodies, but a community that's got each other's backs.
