Leaders Spotlight : Michael Liu
In our 10th year of sweating and connecting we are sharing stories from our dedicated and passionate volunteers.
Introducing Michael Liu, who started FitFam in Shanghai, then inspired other China cities with FitFam Changzhou still going. Michael now leads in Gubei in Shanghai.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in an ordinary farming village on the Songnen Plain in Northeast China. As a kid, I was pretty weak, but my only joy was watching Kung Fu TV dramas. I never wasted a single commercial break - I'd dash into the yard, swing imaginary weapons, and throw out my best "hee-yah!" moves. In middle school, I even made my own nunchucks using two old unused scythe handles (a farming tool for harvest) and a few sections of iron chain. I practiced secretly, on the down-low. Let‘s just say I gave myself quite a few bumps on the head.
Before 2017, I had zero formal fitness training. Meeting FitFam was, for me, a 'martial arts adventure of fate.' And from that day on, I started to believe: many of life's opportunities often hide in the simple curiosity that makes you stop and take a second look.
Your first FitFam workout
At 6am on January 22, 2017, I was jogging on the track at Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Xuhui campus. The reason I was exercising that morning? I’d made a bet with a coworker to lose 4 kg and get a six-pack in 45 days. Then I saw Katie, an American girl, leading a group through some seriously cool drills on the lawn. I stood there, itching to try. Katie turned, noticed me, and asked softly, “wanna join?” Just like that, my first HIIT session began - I could barely keep up, I completed only 40% of the moves, and I was completely out of breath.
After the session, I quietly asked: “Does this cost anything? Because I want to come back.”
2017 became the year my fitness exploded. Training with amazing coaches like Katie, Igor, Edita, and Olivia, I’d easily slip into a flow state. Their focus and drive felt like a silent battle horn - pushing me to give every squat, push-up, and jump my absolute best. And somewhere in that process of “constantly receiving,” a thought popped into my head, I want to give something back to this community.
The FitFam Impact
Nine months of FitFamming in, without any serious running training, and without knowing my limits, I took part in the 2017 Shanghai Marathon and finished with a time of 4 hours and 22 minutes. Over the next two years, I completed 4 full marathons and 4 Spartan Beasts / Ultra Beasts.
More importantly, while learning to control my body, I slowly learned to control my self-confidence.
People are the product of their environment. In FitFam, I learned how to genuinely appreciate and respect others, and discovered the power of a smile and a high-five. A single morning session and a group photo full of bright, sweaty smiles could make my whole day. And without even trying - I’d pass that energy on - a warm greeting, a confident smile, a sincere compliment - to my family, my coworkers, and even strangers on the street.
FitFam gave me one golden rule, just focus on the present moment. Give every rep everything you’ve got. The results will surprise you - always for the better. I’ve quietly whispered that to myself countless times, on days when I was exhausted and wanted to quit. And it always pulled me back.
Becoming a FitFam leader
I saw those amazing leaders in action – professional, focused, pouring their energy, skills, and positive vibes into every word, every look, every move. That kind of presence? It really shines. I wanted to be that person. Becoming a FitFam leader is something truly special and something to be proud of. It took me about a year. First, I became a solid participant – showing up on time, following the community vibe, cherishing every sign‑up opportunity (spots were limited!), so I pushed myself extra hard in every session. Then I grew into a strong fitness enthusiast, then a co‑leader who could help run the workout. Finally, with the guidance and encouragement of Edita and a few other outstanding leaders, I officially became a lead. You might not realize this, but at a popular spot like SJTU, having your own weekly leader day – a fixed day each week where you’re the one leading – is something so exciting and to be proud of. Everyone diligently worked hard to make their day more energetic and to get more positive feedback. I carefully plan the movements, pick the music, prepare small equipment, design the welcome and introduction and end of session motivation, and even curate photos and edit videos with music afterwards. I don’t do it to be perfect. I do it to be worthy of the hour people give me. Seeing so many people sign up with anticipation – that feeling of being trusted? It pushes me like nothing else.
Why become a FitFam leader?
Honor the past, but bring your own flavor. The experience, the great habits, the culture our community has built – that’s FitFam’s soul, our roots. Respect them, carry them forward. But copying and pasting isn’t enough. You have to bring your own unique shine. Stay open‑hearted. Respect others. Don’t judge – just work on becoming a better version of yourself. Easy said than done, of course. The real work is in doing it. Oh, and remember Newton’s Third Law? Action and reaction. It’s not just for physics class. How you treat others is exactly how they’ll treat you. Give honesty, get honesty. Smile, and you’ll get smiles back. Try it – I promise it works. I truly hope to see more talented and interesting people join our FitFam family in the next decade – and together, make this world a little healthier, a little happier, and a lot more fun. Thinking about becoming a leader? Start by showing up, finishing every workout with your best effort. Then take all that goodness you’ve experienced and try to pass it on. You’ll end up becoming a better you – I guarantee it.
Favorite Sweat and Connect moments
I have two stories to share.
First one is about Growth and Teamwork.
FitFam Changzhou started from scratch. In the very first training session, it was just a few friends showing up to “play along. Surprisingly, that little spark slowly caught fire. One year later, we had six weekly locations with regular sessions, and about a dozen people who’d gone from total beginners to team leaders - four of whom later became professional fitness coaches. We often held big events with over 100 people. For our 1st anniversary, leaders from Shanghai and Wenzhou came to celebrate, and even a local TV station showed up to interview us.
In that moment, I truly felt, when you genuinely want to make something happen, the whole city will come to help you.
Second one is about Commitment and Consistency.
During the 2025 Shanghai Marathon, at the 22-kilometer mark, I had severe electrolyte imbalance. My whole body cramped up. I basically walked the second half - four hours of pure misery. Why didn’t I quit? Because I knew FitFam’s cheer squad would be waiting for us at kilometers 8km, 16km, 26km, 38km and the finish line. But I was moving at snails pace. I kept thinking, by the time I get to 38km, they’ll probably be gone. Who would wait that long?
They weren‘t gone. They were still there, cheering, taking photos, shouting encouragement, every single one of them. In that moment, this grown man choked up. By the time I hobbled to the finish line, another group of our FitFam cheer squad was waiting there too. FitFam had kept their promise, stayed with our runners - for over six hours.
When it comes to Commitment and Consistency, FitFam never cuts corners. And that feeling - of being waited for and believed in by a group of people - is worth more than any medal.
Anything else you would like to share?
The more you give, the more you get. The purer you keep it, the longer it lasts.
I’m deeply grateful for the culture our FitFam family has built - it's all about being genuine, equal, respectful, inclusive, trusting, giving motivation and recognition to each other. We’ve said goodbye to many wonderful people who moved away from this city. But they took the FitFam spirit and those beautiful memories with them - to so many places around the world. And in some cities, it even took root and grew again.
A social enterprise with no paid staff, thriving globally for a decade - there’s something magical about that. That magic comes from the selfless energy of our volunteer leaders. It’s a magnetic field of genuine human connection - drawing more people in, resonating at the same frequency, and creating beautiful things together.
As a member of FitFam, I’m truly proud. And I sincerely hope more young people will join this extraordinary community. FitFam’s Chinese name is 非凡健社 - Extraordinary Fitness Family.
Here‘s to the next ten years. Let’s keep shining. Let‘s keep being extraordinary. Because we believe: Sweat never lies, and Connection never stops.
