Rick Bates, massage therapist turned gym owner, made this career change after realizing that many peoples’ issues they would seek massage therapy for were onset by lack of exercise. Making strides to fix this issue, he and his wife recently opened a FitBody Bootcamp franchise in Gainesville. FitBody Bootcamp is a workout facility centered around high intensity interval training, and Rick sees this as one of the most practical, yet effective means of exercise.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I worked previously as a massage therapist and realized most of people’s issue were onset by inactivity which prompted my desire to help people improve their health through regular exercise.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Maddio’s pizza has great salads and I love Mellow Mushroom’s baked chicken wings.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “7 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “Patty Miton, she has run 135 marathons around the world and she’s inspired lots of people and has helped them too.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Sanibel Island in Florida, it’s a sanctuary for me — a peaceful, calming place.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A: “Jungle Book, the original in the 1960’s.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Become more active. Exercise regularly. Eat whole foods.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Skydiving — I love altitude, I love looking down on the earth and being able to ‘fly freely.’”
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “The Beatles, Coldplay, and No Doubt.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “The Collegiate, it reminds me of restaurants when I was growing up in West Virginia.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why this person? Where would you take them to lunch locally?
A: “Bill Gates. I’d pick his brain; he’d just be interesting to have lunch with. We would go to Avocados.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The people, everyone is incredibly welcoming.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “Owning several FitBody Bootcamp franchises, hopefully 5-10 more.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “That I studied music and theatre in college.”
Interview by: Meredith Pannek
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I worked previously as a massage therapist and realized most of people’s issue were onset by inactivity which prompted my desire to help people improve their health through regular exercise.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Maddio’s pizza has great salads and I love Mellow Mushroom’s baked chicken wings.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “7 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “Patty Miton, she has run 135 marathons around the world and she’s inspired lots of people and has helped them too.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Sanibel Island in Florida, it’s a sanctuary for me — a peaceful, calming place.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A: “Jungle Book, the original in the 1960’s.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Become more active. Exercise regularly. Eat whole foods.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Skydiving — I love altitude, I love looking down on the earth and being able to ‘fly freely.’”
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “The Beatles, Coldplay, and No Doubt.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “The Collegiate, it reminds me of restaurants when I was growing up in West Virginia.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why this person? Where would you take them to lunch locally?
A: “Bill Gates. I’d pick his brain; he’d just be interesting to have lunch with. We would go to Avocados.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The people, everyone is incredibly welcoming.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “Owning several FitBody Bootcamp franchises, hopefully 5-10 more.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “That I studied music and theatre in college.”
Interview by: Meredith Pannek
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
