Meet Abby Pawley, muralist, soccer coach, and Virginia Beach native, who has turned her passion for creativity into a thriving career.

She went from painting surfboards to covering entire buildings with vibrant murals here in Virginia Beach. She worked on the mural at the back of the gym here as well.

Abby’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. She faced rejection early on when the Art School dismissed her. This rejection stuck with her for a long time, and just like other aspects of her life, she felt she needed to prove people wrong. (She also tore her ACL 3 times and got back to sports each time!)

In this episode, we get to hear her story of resilience. How early setbacks fueled her determination, the mentor who believed in her when institutions didn’t, and how she now brings that same supportive energy to the young girls she coaches.

We also talk about the mental health side of creativity, the business realities of being an artist, and the power of vulnerability in fostering community.

Abby’s fearless leap into art is an inspirational story that shows the power of following our dreams. Tune in now and see what it takes to turn passion into purpose.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Abby’s early surfboard designs (01:01)

The decision to quit her job and pursue art full-time (04:37)

Getting rejected by the Art Academy (05:16)

The story of Abby’s mentor (08:12)

The emotional impact of seeing her murals around town (09:23)

Comparison of artists and athletes in overcoming rejection (11:59)

Doing art with her mum as her support system (15:26)

Moving to California and finding work (18:33)

Inspiring others through social media (26:18)

Put something out to the world (29:38)

Managing anxiety and emotional stamina through exercise (30:27)

Additional Resources

Connect with Abby Pawley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawleyprints/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pawleyprints

Website: https://pawleyprints.com/

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Not a Wareing’s member? Get Started here: https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Life sometimes throws the most unexpected curveballs. One day, you are chasing your dreams as a pro baseball player, and the next, you are learning how to rebuild your life.

From his days playing in the minor leagues to making it to the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Brock Paterson’s journey was anything but easy. 

Born and raised in Washington State, Brock was drafted out of high school by the Minnesota Twins and played fourteen years of professional baseball with multiple clubs. Just when he thought it might be time to hang up his cleats for good, a call from the Cardinals changed everything.

But that wasn’t the biggest twist in his story. Following his baseball career, Brock settled in Virginia Beach and focused on his next goal: college. True to form, Brock earned his Bachelor's in Finance from Old Dominion University in less than 3 years, all while continuing to share his passion for baseball with the community. 

Brock was enjoying a day on the water with friends when he sustained a spinal cord injury in a diving accident that left him paralyzed.

In this episode, we talked about our interest in WWE and the upcoming Wrestlemania! We also talked about his journey, his time training and working here at Wareing’s gym, the ups and downs, and how fitness has kept him hopeful.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Brock Peterson’s journey and wrestling interests (01:03)

Peterson’s early life and baseball career (05:02)

Transition to real estate (19:41)

Life-changing injury that left him paralyzed (21:16)

Emotional stamina to face life difficulties (24:37)

Adaptive athletics and community support (26:09)

Advice for people going through challenging times (36:19)

Wrestling’s influence on his mindset (38:12)

Reflections on perseverance and hope (45:36)

Additional Resources

Brock Peterson’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterson9987/

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Not a Wareing’s member? Get Started here: https://wareingsgym.com/get-started/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

What do a gym, pro wrestling, and filmmaking have in common? For Jack Wareing, they’re all part of his incredible 25-year journey that began in the world of fitness and led to the silver screen.

Jack was one of the four brothers who got into the Wareing’s gym business in 1978.

Known for his dedication and passion, Jack’s journey from training in the gym to making films shows just how persistence can pay off, even in the most unexpected of careers.

In this episode, Jack dives deep into the evolution of Wareing’s Gym, sharing how they built a strong community focused on fitness, dedication, and individualized training.

Jack’s roots at Wareing's gym and Virginia Beach run deep, but his filmmaking career has earned him worldwide recognition at several prestigious film festivals. This has cemented his role as a filmmaker and storyteller.

Jack also updates us about his latest projects, including upcoming appearances at film festivals in Norway and New York, and the exciting connections he has made in the film industry.

Tune in to hear more from the legend himself!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Jack Wareing's career (00:59)

First film experience: "The Pact" (04:04)

Transition from pro wrestling to acting (06:28)

Persistence in the face of doubt (19:44)

Challenges and successes in film (25:08)

Building Wareing’s gym and its philosophy (29:46)

Wareing’s gym mission statement by Jack Wareing (40:06)

Upcoming film festivals (43:09)

Additional Resources

Jack Wareing Films: https://www.youtube.com/@JackWareingFilms

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

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Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Kyle Carpenter is joining the Wareing’s Gym crew and bringing with him a deep well of experience from a life devoted to movement.

From his early days growing up in a gym with his bodybuilder father to coaching handstands and calisthenics, Kyle shares how training has evolved for him to become a tool for checking in with his life from a mental, physical, and emotional point of view.

From bodybuilding to yoga, Kyle has learned that consistency in training isn’t just about reps and sets; it's about creating a frame of reference for self-awareness and nervous system regulation.

With years of expertise in bodybuilding, calisthenics, and yoga, he will now channel those into building a stronger fitness community here in Virginia Beach.  

🎧 Tune in and get to know Kyle.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Kyle’s move from San Diego to Virginia Beach (01:17)

On leaving familiarity and finding expansion (02:31)

Presence as a learned skill in a digital world (04:49)

Kyle’s lifelong journey with fitness (06:33)

Building fitness around community (10:19)

Kyle’s personal training structure (13:37)

Using workouts as a check-in for nervous system health (15:08)

Importance of sleep (21:26)

Kyle’s experience as a new member of the Wareing’s Gym crew (22:20)

Wareing’s Gym is a gold standard for consistency (27:11)

On competition vs collaboration in the fitness community (29:02)

Additional Resources

Kyle Carpenter: https://www.instagram.com/kc_moves/

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Jason Borte had it all - a lifetime of waves under his belt, a reputation as a Virginia Beach surf legend, and even a bestselling book with Kelly Slater.

But then... he quit.

No injury or job move. Just a self-imposed year away from the ocean.

Why? To see what he was really made of without the surfboard.

In this episode, Jason opens up about that year, how it changed his relationship with surfing forever, and what inspired him to launch a grassroots campaign to preserve Virginia Beach’s surf history.

Jason is writing a book on all of the stories and the impact that surfing has had on 50 different people in the community. We were honored to be featured in the book.

You’ll also hear:

• Why surf etiquette is important and might even save your life
• The launch of Atlantic Park’s revolutionary wave tech
• And what happens when surfers become environmental stewards

🎧 Tune in now and catch the wave of wisdom!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

How the Jason’s Surf Book came to be (01:53)

Surf culture's inclusivity & evolution (05:18)

Longboarding & lineup dynamics (07:20)

Surf etiquette & safety lessons (09:26)

The “Year Off Surfing” experiment (22:44)

Kelly Slater book-writing experience (34:51)

Atlantic Park Wave facility plans (41:03)

Giving back through Surf Camps (44:41)

Why self-publishing the book matters (49:08)

Additional Resources

Virginia Is for Surfers - Instagram

Kickstarter for “Virginia Is for Surfers” – Visit Kickstarter

Pipe Dreams: Kelly Slater’s Autobiography – Amazon Link

Atlantic Park Surf Park (Wavegarden tech) – Atlantic Park

Hearth (Dinner for VIP Surf Experience) – Hearth VB

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Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

In this episode, Jake Wareing sits down with his mother, Jackie Wareing, to talk about the evolution of fitness from the 1970s to today. Jackie was one of the first women to lift weights when it was still seen as a man’s sport. She went on to become a personal trainer and helped shape the culture of strength training for women.

Jackie shares stories from the early days of strength training at the gym, the exclusive nature of gym memberships in the past, and how training philosophies have evolved. She also shares some tips on how fitness must adapt with age and the mindset needed to stay active long-term.

Jake and Jackie also discuss the impact of motivation, family, and community in fitness, along with personal reflections on what it means to age gracefully while staying strong.

Listen now, Jackie’s stories will inspire you to keep moving and maintain lifelong fitness.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Journey through training and education (0:00)

Early bodybuilding pioneers (01:58)

Joining the Wareing’s gym community (04:20)

Training methods and calisthenics (06:55)

Certification and personal training journey (11:46)

Balancing family and career (13:14)

Aging and adapting training (16:43)

Maintaining a positive attitude (18:54)

Reflecting on the past and present (22:34) 

Additional Resources

Jackie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackiewareing_

—

Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Have you ever met someone whose impact stayed with you long after they were gone? Bob Wareing was that person for an entire community.

In this special heartfelt episode of Where the Beach Gets Fit, Jake Wareing is joined by his cousin Adam Appleton to remember and honor Bob Wareing, one of the founding pillars of Wareing’s Gym. Bob’s influence transcended the gym walls.

He was a mentor, a friend, and a source of unwavering support to everyone he encountered.

Through heartfelt readings of 2 tributes, Keeper of the Springs and Requiem for a Heavyweight, Jake and Adam reflect on Bob’s dedication to his community, his inspiring work ethic, and the joy he brought through his ever-present smile.

You will be moved by the stories of Bob’s genuine connections, his influence on young athletes, and his philosophy of living each day to the fullest.

Join us in celebrating a life well-lived and discover why “being like Bob” is the ultimate goal. Hit play now and be inspired by the legacy of Bob Wareing.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Bob Wareing and his legacy at Wareing’s Gym (01:27)

Keeper of the Springs (03:08)

Requiem for a Heavyweight  (06:39)

Bob’s lasting legacy and the lessons he taught (15:42)

Be like Bob (17:13)

Additional Resources

Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

In this episode, Jake welcomes Elizabeth Thomas, social media manager and founder of Elizabeth Eats. Elizabeth has been part of the Wareing’s Gym family since her teens, and today, she shares her journey from youth sports to becoming an entrepreneur focused on health and fitness.

Jake and Elizabeth discuss what fitness means to different people. They also talk about the role of community in fitness and combating modern loneliness.

Elizabeth also opens up about her experiences living in Costa Rica and how it shaped her health philosophy, as well as her ventures into healthy cooking and entrepreneurship.

If you have struggled with consistency, finding the right motivation, or staying balanced in your fitness journey, this is the episode for you. Tune in to hear insights on routines, workouts, and how to build sustainable fitness habits.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Meet Elizabeth Thomas (02:43)

Early interest in health sparked by youth sports (06:21)

Experiences living and working in Costa Rica (13:15)

Elizabeth's current daily fitness routine (19:34)

The role of community in maintaining motivation (27:21)

Nutrition and meal preparation habits (33:16)

Challenges of balancing multiple responsibilities (39:07)

Additional Resources

Elizabeth’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethlakethomas/

—

Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

In this episode, Jake chats with a long-time Wareing’s Gym member. Sebastian Moreno, who, along with his wife Katie, stepped out of their comfort zones to live life on their own terms.

They hit pause on their careers to take sabbaticals and travel the world. Sebastian reveals how they made it happen, from the financial planning and minimalist lifestyle they adopted to the exciting experiences they had surfing and connecting with local cultures.

Jake and Sebastian talk about how stepping out of your comfort zone can change your perspective on life, showing you what truly matters.

You'll also hear him explain the importance of fitness in preparing for adventurous activities and enjoying life.

Listen to his story and the lessons he has picked from his travels.

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Sebastian’s long-time membership at Wareing's Gym (01:03)

The fear of discomfort in making big life changes (04:12)

Influence of Colombian culture on Sebastian’s decision-making (07:18)

Making the decision to travel the world (11:11)

Budgeting for a year-long travel adventure (18:24)

Surfing all around the world (27:52)

Facing big waves and overcoming fear (35:18)

The importance of community in travel (41:02)

Additional Resources

Sebastian Moreno’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepsmoreno/?hl=en

—

Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

You wake up, grind through your workout, and tell yourself you're doing enough. But deep down, you know there's more. You're stuck in a cycle of half-effort.

Parker Curran was right there, playing personal trainer by day and party guy by night. He was doing well, but he knew he could be more. So he went all in on fitness, and everything in his life started to change.

In this episode, Parker shares how discipline helped him unlock mental clarity, improve relationships, and reignite his creativity. Parker’s journey will inspire you to push harder.

If you’re ready for some real, relatable inspiration to break out of half-effort mode, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Hit play and join us on this journey to full commitment and self-transformation!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Parker's early gym experiences and fascination with fitness (01:22)

His personal training experience at boutique gyms and Equinox (10:21)

Role as head coach at F45 and reflections on corporate fitness (18:31)

Training for a men’s physique competition and the discipline it instills (30:47)

The importance of mental clarity, personal growth, and faith (36:29)

Balancing social media presence and training documentation (41:41)

Launch of a free group challenge to foster accountability and positive change (44:52)

Additional Resources

Connect with Parker Curran

https://www.instagram.com/currantfitness/

https://www.instagram.com/hardknoxfitvb/

—

Not a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here: https://wareingsgym.com/free-week/

Already a Wareing’s member? Sign up for a new class today: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=14645

Visit our website for more: https://wareingsgym.com

Let’s Connect: 

Facebook: http://web.facebook.com/WareingsGym

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wareings_gym

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wareingsgym/

— 

Where The Beach Gets Fit is a podcast with a mission to entertain, inspire, and educate our community on everything fitness to help you crush all your goals and reach your peak.

Be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.