Wayne Z. Li
Founder - Training Day Gyms
š Iām Wayne Li.Founder of @trainingdaygym, bootstrapped from scratch at age 22.What started as a single gym room inside of a Squash Court, is now one of Melbourne's best rated gyms, with 3 locations, a team of 30+, and a community built on culture, grit and effort.No outside investors. Just persistence, and people who grew with me.My members became my staff.
My staff became my managers.
My managers became my business partners.This is my online business card to connectš @waynezli
My Why
I wasn't born into business.That's the 4 year old me, in early 90's China, posing next to the only car in the neighbourhood. I lived frugally on the 7th floor of the building behind me.Two years later, I landed in Australia. The only child of a single dad who struggled with his own battles.I moved out very young, we struggled to stay in each others' lives, and he left this world soon after.Growing up, I carried a constant sense of uncertainty. I felt unsafe, nothing was in my control.Until I picked up a set of dumbbells.That was the turning point. I began finding certainty in the simple fact that if I lifted a heavy weight enough times, it got easier.For the first time, I felt strong. I realized that we can shape our own lives.That's when I found purpose: to help others recognize that.I started to dream of creating a place where others could grow stronger like I did.I had no support or safety net.
Just a burning desire to build it.
My Journey
I started Training Day in 2012.Only 22 years old at the time, I left my safe corporate marketing job.With one gym room and $30k of savings, I dreamed of building a community where strength and vulnerability can coexist.For the first 4 years, I paid to work.I wore every hat, trainer by day, maintenance by night.
I salvaged old equipment other gyms threw out, to then go back and compete against them.Slowly, it grew.My members became my staff.
My staff became my managers.
My managers became equity partners.Today, we're a team of 30+, running three of Melbourne's top rated gyms."Strong By Choice" is our motto.
Our message is that "Strong" isn't an image, or an achievement, but a choice we can all make.
My Plan
The most rewarding part of this journey is watching team members grow into business owners, as I invite the right team members to own a piece of what we're building.Training Day's success is rooted in its people. The typical corporate expansion playbook often overlook this.
I want our brand and culture to be scaled by the people who live it.Over the next 3 years, my growth strategy is steady and intentional.I'm inviting those who align with our mission to join our team.
And for the right people, I'll open up equity path to own and grow together, just like I've done with the leaders in our business, all of whom started as members.If this speaks to you, let's talk.
Thank you
Appreciate you for reaching out, let me get back to you.