Teen finds his feet in ruthless industry

By Mollie Tracey Jack Olden was just 18 when he followed his dream of breaking into the fitness industry – and now he is rising to dizzying heights. He built his fitness business out of his garage to a prime shop-front location on South St in Hilton. Leaving school in Year 11 and after various attempts at TAFE, he defied the beliefs of many people and has built a successful fitness business in the space of four years. Olden, now 22, was determined to make it on his own, saying that it comes down to self-belief and hard-work. “Believe in what you do and don’t change it, just make it happen,” Olden says. Other than financial barriers, Olden says self-doubt was a major obstacle to over-come. “I doubted myself do many times and I think that’s a big thing because a lot of people who have succeed won’t admit they had self-doubt,” Olden says Olden says he is proud of what he has achieved but believes there is still a long way to go with aspirations to either open up more spaces or franchise. “I’m proud of it but we can do more and do better,” Olden says. Many young people are finding it difficult to start a business from the ground and the Small Business Development Corporation says that entrepreneurs should look for advice from experienced mentors rather than friends and family. “Young people trying to pursue their dreams should seek out and willingly accept the advice and guidance of people who are experienced, and ideally successful in the field,” a spokesperson says. “Only accepting positive feedback and encouragement – from your friends and family – will not help you succeed in the long run.” Making it in the fitness industry is tough with gym giants dominating the market place but Jacked Fitness aims to differentiate itself with a community focused service in which members support each other in friendly environment. Olden says that to maintain results it requires members to have an enjoy the workout with consistency. “I’ve never wanted to be results focused gym where people come in for eight-week or 12-week programs,” Olden says. “I think fitness is a holistic thing where it’s not just coming in and doing a workout, it’s coming in and having a good time.”