Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac L. Stock.
Hi Isaac, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Memphis and was influenced significantly by the work ethic demonstrated by my father. As far back as I can remember, he instilled in me the principle that hard work, when performed consistently over time, has the power and potential to precipitate something greater. During my adolescence, I spent most of my weekends crushing aluminum cans and greeting customers at our family’s scrap metal recycling business, Airways Iron & Metal Company, Inc. Little did I know, every one of those aluminum cans, every auto radiator, and every piece of scrap metal was slowly, yet surely, paving the way for me to become the first in my family to obtain a college degree.
During the first 6 years of my life, my parents, sister, brother, and I lived in a small one-bedroom apartment just a few blocks from the scrapyard. We were far from affluent, and my father informed me later that he sometimes ate nothing but peanut butter in order to save money and make ends meet. Eventually, the business became stable and prosperous. My parents built a house in Germantown, in which my brother, sister, and I grew up, and they were able to send all three of us to private, college prep schools in Memphis.
From a young age, I applied my father’s work ethic to my own academic pursuits. I was driven and self-motivated. When I received a full academic scholarship offer to the University of Arizona, I moved to Tucson, where I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. In 2008, my father contracted lung cancer and his health was in flux. At the same time, the economy was in the midst of a tremendous recession and my dad had no choice but to consider selling off the family business or filing for bankruptcy. As a result, I decided to move back home after finishing college in order to help ensure that both my father and the family business were in good hands.
For the next five years, I helped resuscitate the company. Alongside my father and his apprentice, Mario, I was responsible for all of the day-to-day operations. The business was once again thriving. To say that pops were “old school” is the understatement of the century. After familiarizing myself with the intricacies of accounting and management, I transitioned Airways I & M from the rhetorical dark ages into the current tech-adjusted business world. While my role at the yard left me exhausted, I still carved out time to lift weights 3 to 4 days a week before going into work. For five years, the daily grind at the yard provided financial stability for me, while the gym and its community became my social restitution, outside of the occasional Grizz game at the FedExForum.
As I approached my 30th birthday I began to contemplate the future. Having only lived in Memphis and Tucson, I wanted to expand my horizons. With this in mind, I volunteered on a trip to Morocco with JDC Entwine, a Jewish social impact organization. After returning to Memphis, my world had expanded as I had hoped. Three months later, I put systems in place that would allow me to run the scrap yard remotely, and I moved to Costa Mesa in southern California. On a whim, I took a class at a local yoga studio, and I was hooked immediately. I obtained my 200HR Yoga Teacher training certificate and, since then, have been teaching various styles of dynamic yoga at the studio in which I trained.
A fellow yoga teacher connected me with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, a one-on-one mentoring organization that pairs adults with underserved youth. For the next two and a half years I worked in the organization’s fundraising and recruitment divisions. One of my co-workers invited me to a free team-building workout at the local F45 Studio in Irvine, CA, which served as my introduction to the F45 training model. I still go to this studio nearly every day when I am in town.
My father’s health declined in 2020, prompting me to visit Memphis more frequently. On one of these visits, I discovered an F45 studio in Germantown. It became my sanctuary during that tumultuous time; because I felt so comfortable there and so welcomed by the community the owners had created. Minus the blood, the sweat, and tears were real. I felt so strongly about the studio’s impact on its members that I joked with the owners that they were “lucky” to have opened an F45 in my hometown before I opened one myself. Serendipitously, I learned that they were preparing to sell the franchise. I jumped at the opportunity to take over ownership, and in April 2021 became the new owner of F45 Germantown.
I now live primarily in Costa Mesa, but divide my time between California and Memphis. Although I never pictured myself as someone who would run two businesses remotely, it allows me to balance various priorities, and I am taking things one day at a time. The journey continues, and I am still learning every damn day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m working hard to honor the small victories. Because the next challenge is almost always waiting in the wings-often times, not so patiently! One of the biggest obstacles for me (outside of the obvious of owning a fitness studio in the midst of a pandemic) has been to stay engaged with our community and members while running the business remotely half of the time.
Also, it’s a constant challenge trying to compartmentalize my time, trying to balance the scrap metal recycling yard, the gym, teaching yoga, renovating the house in which I grew up, and most importantly, my relationship with my significant other.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fitness studio owner, President of a successful, local scrap metal recycling yard, a mentor, a yoga teacher, and my intention is to have no limits of what else I will do. I’d like to say that I’m known for having a positive impact on any endeavor in which I take on.
While I’m only recently learning that this is not a universal quality, I’m most proud of how often I fail. What I mean by that, is that I’m not afraid to take risks, albeit some more calculated than others. Furthermore, I’m proud to take ownership of my mistakes. And in my experience, when one takes responsibility for his or her actions, only then can growth occur. This mindset sets me apart, not just professionally, but also in my personal life.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
While well-known podcast pioneers and entrepreneurs such as Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss, and Tom Bilyeu have certainly had a positive impact on my overall quality of life, James Clear continues to withstand the test of time when it comes to applying his perspectives to my everyday life. He is the author of the book, “Atomic Habits,” where he gives credit where it’s due to his own influence from Charles Duhigg’s “The Power of Habit.” One of his quotes worthy of a share:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” – James Clear
Also, I’ve recently pulled Brené Brown’s “Dare to Lead” off of my bookshelf and applied some of her wisdom to help me become a better boss, leader, mentor, and human. One of her’s that resonates with me:
“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.” – Brené Brown
Pricing:
- Unlimited Membership ($199/month)
- 1/2 off your 1st month, 3-months minimum commitment
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- Email: germantown@f45training.com
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