CEO awarded at FIT Summit
Former local Chris Caldwell has been named Executive of the Year at the FIT Summit Awards of Excellence.
While he now lives between Melbourne and Queensland, the chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific branch of fitness giant Lift Brands - parent brand to Snap Fitness, Fitstop, 9Round and Fitnesson-Demand - grew up in the Baw Baw Shire.
Mr Caldwell attended Drouin Secondary College for two years, before moving to St Paul's Anglican Grammar School to finish his secondary education.
He said his career in fitness began in Warragul.
"I started my fitness career in 1988, and it was actually working at the Warragul outdoor swimming pool... and then the Warragul indoor leisure centre."
"I think my mum got me the job at Warragul swimming pool when I was in Year 11, so I can thank her for setting me on that path," he said.
Mr Caldwell moved on to work in professional sport, taking roles in the Australian Hockey Team and Essendon Football Club. He had always wanted to work in sports and continued on this path into his late 20s.
"Just being involved in professional sporting teams as a player and an administrator was a great way to live my life up until a certain point, but I became a bit more career-focused in my late 20s, early 30s," he said.
He later took on roles in franchising, and become the CEO of Lift Brands about two years ago.
The FIT Summit Awards were an important occasion for Mr Caldwell for more than one reason. In addition to Lift Brands Asia Pacific taking home the Fitness Company of the Year and winning Executive of the Year he also celebrated his 50th birthday.
"It was a good way to celebrate," he said. "Winning the individual award was overwhelming and a massive surprise, not something I expected given that I've only been in the industry for a couple of years."
However, Mr Caldwell said he did not find it surprising that Lift Brands won company of the year.
"We had a significant period of growth over the last couple of years, whereas a lot of fitness businesses probably struggled through COVID closures and lockdowns and yet we've actually excelled and grown at quite a rapid rate."
Mr Caldwell said he does not get back to the Warragul area often, however his family still live locally.
"I do have fond memories of it... playing cricket for the Warragul District Cricket Associated, back when I was a young fella," he said.
"I've got a lot of friends living in the area."