SB19's Stell ventures into gym business

Stell has a new side quest.

SB19's Heavenly Voice is one of the four co-founders of Driven, a new gym that just opened on E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City on Sunday.

The gym focuses on strength training with weights and other equipment, with a coffee spot inside as well.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Stell is "super excited" about his new business venture and community outside SB19.

"I feel like all my life, I've been performing, stepping on the stage, like doing things I like," Stell said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"And I think last year, I found a new love to do which is doing workout. At first, I thought it was just a hobby until it became a passion. And I think it's something that will become a lifelong lifestyle for me."

Stell is thankful he found business partners that will guide him in fitness and in life, "how I will evolve as a person, not just as Stell as a performer, artist, but someone in this field."

Starting the journey

Stell's fellow co-founders Michelle Llanes and Mac Igarta shared some tips for those looking to begin their fitness journey.

Michelle advised to look for a coach and just start.

"Find your why. Why do you want to start your fitness journey," he said. "Then when you realize why you want to start, just keep coming back to that every time you want to stop."

She also said to find someone to help you stay accountable.

Mac said "prevention is better than cure" when it comes to health.

"I'd rather pay for gym membership than hospital bills," he said. "I wanna be physically capable of everything, at the same time, I know the activities in the gym, it could really lower your numbers."

Mac told the public to take that leap of faith and start somewhere.

Third space

Bern Llanes, another co-founder, said that what sets Driven apart is their commitment to reduce intimidation and the fear of embarrassment. Their members are across all age ranges and "they just feel at home."

"They always say that they have found the right space, the right people," he said.

Bern said they wanted to create a third space where workouts, socialization, and hanging out are welcome.

"It's not just the gym or the community, but we are your partners to help you become healthy and would keep you accountable, and have that sense of community where you can socialize with other people without you getting scared to talk to them. Everyone is open to ideas and also we are more building a much mature community," he said.

Bern said the focus of the Driven community to help their members get stronger in life.

"We want to be able to help other people or to make other people realize that working out is not just sweating it out or making your body good. We want to do functional strength training that is applicable even outside the gym," he said. —MGP, GMA News