Welcome to the first edition of From the Founder with me, Josh Anderson, the founder of DIY Active. It’s taken me seven years to write this first piece. What took so long? It’s a big story, but it boils down to the dedication needed to chase your dreams. You have to give it your all and be real. Let me explain…
Last weekend, I was working on DIY Active like I do every day—sorting emails, doing outreach, and watching the Olympics. When I started DIY Active (originally Always Active Athletics), I wanted to help people get fit wherever they felt comfortable, especially if they were intimidated by the gym or couldn’t go. Over time, it evolved into a complete lifestyle site with hundreds of authors, thousands of followers, and millions of readers, with the motto “Home fitness for everyone.”
From the beginning, we’ve aimed to help people achieve their potential, reach their goals, and find true happiness. We’ve been working on this for over seven years. While we’ve come far in at-home fitness, we still need to focus more on helping people find genuine happiness—the original drive behind creating DIY Active. I want to motivate everyone and help them achieve their goals. It sounds idealistic, but that’s what brings me joy.
Back to me watching the Olympics: an athlete nailed an incredible ski run and waited anxiously for her score. When it was announced, she realized she had medaled, and her joy was infectious. That’s true happiness, and it made me realize that’s what I want to help people find. True happiness comes from striving for and achieving goals. That’s why I started DIY Active, but I lost sight of that amidst the site’s growth. Watching the Olympics helped me refocus on this missing element.
To achieve this, I need to let my guard down. I’ve never wanted to be the face of DIY Active, preferring our authors and the brand to take center stage. But to connect genuinely with people, this needs to change. I’m committed to taking a different approach.
To genuinely help people and find success, I must put myself out there. Here’s the plan: we’re going to assist everyone in finding the programs that suit them best, even if that means directing them away from DIY Active. From nutrition to exercise to meditation and lifestyle advice, we’ll help you find the answers you need and achieve your goals. Think of us as your personal goal concierge. We’re here for you!
The takeaway is: no matter where you are on your journey, even when things seem tough, you’re on this path for a reason. Your journey is helping you grow and preparing you for the next chapter. And we’re here to help you along the way. Enjoy the journey!
You might veer off course—we all do. It took me seven years to realize I strayed from my dream! But with your support system and perseverance, you’ll get back on track.
