10 Years of FitFam Hongqiao : It’s Never Just a Workout Story
In our 10th year of sweating and connecting we are sharing stories from our dedicated and passionate volunteers. This story is a little different from the previous formats to celebrate 10 years of FitFam Hongqiao.
Introducing Hans Hendrickx, who leads and manages the FitFam Shanghai location Hongqiao. Ever since joining FitFam in 2016 he would never have guessed how this daily ritual would impact his personal and professional life as well as inspire those around him to do the same.
If you told me 10 years ago that I’d be waking up at 5:00 a.m. in Shanghai’s freezing winters, ditching my warm bed voluntarily for a morning sweat session, and sticking to it for a whole decade? I’d have laughed in your face. Back then, I was just a regular guy with zero workout discipline, totally content with my lazy routine - until my wife Shells intervened abruptly and completely rewrote my (our) life rhythm. She dragged me to my very first Hongqiao FitFam workout. (Still blaming her!) She sold me her ultimate dream; to get me on board: “Stick with this, and you’ll be a changed man with solid six-pack….”
That promise was the reason I got my tired self out to those early morning HIIT sessions, week after week. And here’s the funny, honest truth all these years later: I still haven’t delivered on the six-pack dream. But what I did get is being fitter, stronger, and more consistent than I ever thought possible - an unexpected win I’ll always be grateful for.
Back then, I walked into FitFam only chasing physical fitness. I had no idea this 5:30 a.m. crew would turn from a random workout group into my most reliable, sleep- deprived little family, or that it would become my anchor through some of the toughest days of my life; Before FitFam, my life was all busy work schedules, endless travel, nightly calls, and chaotic daily routines. But these early morning workouts became my constant, non- negotiable routine.
The biggest test of this routine came in 2018, when a bad back injury knocked me off my feet completely. With the group’s paced yet consistent workouts, paired with the encouragement from coaches, I slowly rebuilt my strength back. FitFam workouts really build muscle and (mental) endurance.
Over these ten years, being a volunteer leader of this team has been equal parts rewarding and exhausting. There were countless moments I wanted to throw in the towel. My work schedule got insanely busy, back-to-back workdays and evening calls drained my energy, and there were mornings I stood in the cold Shanghai dawn, asking myself: Why am I doing this? Why sacrifice sleep, free time, and energy to organize morning workouts for a community? Yet every single time I was ready to quit, fellow member’s words pulled me right back: No, you need FitFam more than FitFam needs you. At first, I didn’t believe it. But after years of showing up, I know it’s the absolute truth.
This community has given me far more than I could ever give it. I’ve lost count of how many times members have come up to me after workouts, eyes bright and relieved, sharing their stories. I’ve heard from friends who fought off crippling depression by dragging themselves to our 5:30 a.m. sessions when they couldn’t get out of bed alone. I’ve listened to people healing from painful breakups, rebuild their confidence, and pull themselves out of life’s darkest moments, all because they had this consistent, supportive group to show up for them every morning; our HQ community.
We show up for HIIT, for runs, for sweaty early-morning workouts - but what we’re really doing is showing up for each other; We build accountability not just for fitness goals, but for life. When you see a group of people choosing to rise early, sweat together, and encourage one another through cold mornings and tired days, you find the strength to keep going too.
Also our occasional little post-workout breakfast tradition brings us back together - coaches and members sitting around, sipping hot coffee, nibbling on a bagel or Chinese breakfast, chatting about life beyond fitness, turning workout buddies into lifelong friends.
What makes our decade- long journey even more meaningful is that the FitFam spirit never stayed confined to Shanghai. I’m also incredibly proud of how many HQ coaches carried our core vibe and values across the globe. Andrea in Germany, Sandrine in France, Emily in Sweden, Ted in Finland and many other amazing teammates have continued building warm, healthy, supportive communities wherever they went. They took the early-morning grit, mutual encouragement, and heartfelt connection we cultivated in Hongqiao and spread it worldwide, proving this family’s power knows no borders.
We don’t lead FitFam out of obligation. We do it because of every smiling post-workout face and complimentary high-fives!
After a decade, I’m proud to be part of this journey - and prouder of the family we’ve built together. Here’s to 10 years of early mornings, hard workouts, unexpected healing, and the best community anyone could ask for.
Special thanks to Shells, Amanda, Andrea, Amelie, Macha, Sandrine, Aline, Marlo, Rene, Ram, Arum, Sofia, Kristie, Kristien, Kacy, Ioana, Robin, Dany, Mandy, Leah, Julien, Cass, Shine, Joe, Damei, Qincai and other HQ coaches !!! Congratulations on OUR birthday !
And yes - still no six pack, but endless gratitude.
