Mejiro Gym Bali

The part that stayed with me wasn't "three-time world champion." It was the line about Steve being one of those people you're simply happy to have around. Titles are real and he worked hard for every one of them. But when someone from a gym on the other side of the world takes the time to write about how you made them feel, that's the thing that lasts.

It matters to us because it's the same standard we try to hold at GBC every day, and it matters most when it comes to the young people who train with us.

We have a lot of kids and teenagers coming through our doors. Some are there for fitness, some for confidence, and some because the gym is the steadiest part of their week. Every one of them is someone's child, and their families trust us with them. We don't take that lightly.

So we have rules, and we keep them. Coaches are screened and checked. Young people are supervised. There are clear boundaries between adults and kids, in the gym and online. Nobody gets pushed past what's safe or made to feel small. And every young person knows who they can talk to if something doesn't feel right, and that they'll be listened to.

From the outside some of that can look like paperwork. It isn't. It's what makes sure the culture people see when they visit is actually real underneath, for the youngest person in the room as much as anyone.

Thank you to MEJIRO for the kind words and for looking after Steve. It means a lot to know a little piece of Geelong is hanging on your walls. 🇮🇩🇦🇺