Gary Szabo

My Dad was an instructor in the army for several years – I think that’s where my journey started. His approach to fitness, to be fit and to stay fit, really set the tone for me.
My story with fitness truly began at the age of 10 when my parents took me to the local swimming club. Getting up five times a week at 4:30 AM to pack my bag and jog to the swimming pool put my mindset into the “no-good-thing-comes-easy” mode really quickly.
After a few years of competitive swimming, I turned to Martial Arts and found my inner peace in Jiu-Jitsu. It’s been 30 years since I’m practicing; I can’t imagine my life without it. I’ve delivered seminars for the police, and special forces of the government and worked as a close combat instructor in the army. I still compete on an international level.
Fun Fact: in 2000 I hurt my back really badly during a fight, doctors’ said I‘m not going to be able to lift or exercise anymore. I remembered that in 2002 standing on top of the podium.
Now we run an amazing fitness company called Tribe Fitness and Martial Arts. We run Kettlebells, Mums and Bubs, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Self-Defense Workshops, and the list goes on – I love doing it, and love the variety.

I’m a qualified, REPS registered, Personal Trainer; and ambassador of EPNA (Exercise Professionals Network Aotearoa) for Taranaki/Manawatu regions.