LEANNE FOENANDER, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

Factory worker Leanne Foenander was struggling to keep fit, but nothing worked for her until she tried her local gym with a difference, Listen to Your Body. The result proved inspirational. Not only did she feel fit and great, but she loved the community feel – to the point she gave up her job of 11 years to become a franchisee “to give back and inspire others”.

That was four years ago, and Foenander says her positive relationship with her franchisor, Ben Fletcher, has helped her to achieve great things for her community. She feels that time is more important than money, and brainstorms together with the Listen to Your Body team in order to find the best ways possible to give back.

Together with her staff members, Foenander is involved in community groups and fundraising activities, and helps small-business owners.

When the studio owner and her staff attended the primary school fair in Alphington, Victoria they took along a body scanner from the gym so people could check their health. Such a service usually costs $1500, but the Listen to Your Body team offered it without charge in order to help the community keep healthy.

“It was expensive, but the engagement was incredible and it is all about giving back,” says Foenander.

One gym client with a rare genetic disorder asked the franchisee if the studio could donate funds for research for the disorder, but Foenander decided to go a step further and run a major fundraiser involving local businesses. The concept is a fitness day where each member pays $55 to be involved, with all the money going toward the research. The studio will also provide lunch while the trainers are donating their time. Foenander is confident the event can raise the $3000 target.

“Ben [the franchisor] is a gun. He gives

Leanne Foenander (right) us ideas and suggestions, and tells us to contact community groups. It’s up to us to be creative with it,” she says.

The studio owner also encourages her staff members to be community minded. “We have three young guys on the staff who get fulfillment out of not only doing their job but also helping people,” she says.

Foenander also donates vouchers to sports teams and offers stretching equipment from the gym to clubs that need it. Students studying fitness can benefit from trainer mentoring in the studio.

As Foenander works quarter by quarter, she will be assessing fresh options soon. “You have to live and breathe the positive impact,” she says.

The good work is paying off, not only for the neighbourhood but for the brand itself. Two of the studio’s members were so inspired by the work that Foenander says they have decided to buy their own franchise studio.

“

You have to live and breathe the positive impact.