About Us - Grimvale Odyssey Fitness

Est. 2018

7 Years of Breaking Barriers

How It All Started

Back in 2018, I was fed up with traditional gyms. You know the type - rows of treadmills, everyone staring at screens, zero community. I'd just come back from competing in my third Spartan Race and realized something was missing in Burnaby.

People wanted more than just lifting weights or running nowhere. They craved challenge, adventure, that raw feeling of conquering something real. So I took everything I'd learned from years of functional training, mixed it with obstacle course racing, and created what you see today.

Grimvale Odyssey isn't just another fitness spot. It's where folks come to test themselves, fail sometimes, get back up, and leave stronger than they walked in. No fancy mirrors or judgment - just honest work and a crew that's got your back.

What We're About

We're here to help regular people do extraordinary things. Doesn't matter if you've never touched a rope or you're training for your next competition. Everyone starts somewhere, and we'll meet you right where you're at. Our mission's simple - build resilient humans who can tackle whatever life throws at 'em, inside the gym and out.

Our Philosophy

Training shouldn't feel like punishment. Yeah, it's tough - but it should light something up inside you. We believe in progressive challenges, celebrating small wins, and building a tribe that actually gives a damn. You won't find ego-driven nonsense here, just authentic people pushing limits together.

Meet The Team

The folks who'll be in the trenches with you

Marcus Chen

Head Coach & Founder

CrossFit L2, OCR Pro, 12+ years experience. Former competitive athlete who's seen it all and done most of it.

CF-L2 NSCA-CPT OCR Specialist

Sarah Kowalski

Functional Fitness Coach

Specializes in movement quality and injury prevention. She'll fix your form before you even know it's broken.

CF-L1 FMS Mobility Specialist

Jake Morrison

Boot Camp Lead

Ex-military, brings that no-excuses energy but with a smile. He'll push you harder than you'd push yourself.

ACE-CPT TRX Certified Nutrition Coach

Emma Patel

Nutrition & Performance

Registered dietitian who actually gets it. No fad diets, just real food strategies that work with your life.

RD CSCS Sports Nutrition

Our Journey So Far

Seven years of growth, challenges, and victories

2018

The Beginning

Started with just 800 square feet, some basic equipment, and a dream. Our first class had 6 people - they're all still members today.

2019

First Competition Team

Formed our first OCR competition team. We placed third in the Vancouver Spartan Stadium Sprint - not too shabby for rookies.

2020

Expansion & Adaptation

Doubled our space to 1,600 sq ft and added a full outdoor training area. When the world shut down, we kept our community connected with virtual challenges and outdoor sessions.

2021

Nutrition Program Launch

Brought Emma on board and launched comprehensive nutrition coaching. Started seeing members hit goals they'd been chasing for years.

2022

Youth Program & Community Growth

Launched youth obstacle training for ages 10-17. Watching kids discover their strength has been one of the most rewarding things we've done.

2023

Award Recognition

Named "Best Specialty Gym" by Burnaby Fitness Magazine. Hit 300+ active members and expanded our coaching team.

2024

Major Facility Upgrade

Installed a custom-built 40-foot obstacle course rig and upgraded all equipment. Added recovery area with cold plunge and sauna.

2025

What's Next

Planning our first annual Grimvale Challenge - a full-day obstacle competition open to the community. We're also working on partnerships with local schools to bring functional fitness to more young athletes.

Our Journey Through the Grind