I Am the Founder of Gloveworx Leyon Azubuike and This Is How I Work
Every instant success is years. Boxing coach Leion Azubuike’s first attempt at opening a gym was unsuccessful, but he returned to work as a private trainer and tried again. His Gloveworx gym now has two offices in Los Angeles and will soon expand to New York. We spoke to him about his career as a coffee substitute and how he still provides private training while running a growing business.
Location: Los Angeles (and soon New York!) Current job: Founder and boxing, strength and conditioning coach at Gloveworx One word that best describes how you work: Motivation Current mobile device: iPhone X Current computer: MacBook Pro
First of all, tell us a little about your past and how you got where you are now.
My father was a boxer, so I grew up in a boxing family. This is what has always been a part of me. However, as a child, I focused very seriously on basketball and football, eventually becoming a college football player and captain at Temple University.
In high school, I had a serious knee injury that stopped my football career. Boxing became a big part of my life again and I realized that I could become a professional. I think I was partly successful in that at that moment I was able to turn around and not feel defeated. There is always another way forward.
I started training quite seriously and quickly became the main sparring partner of former WBC heavyweight champion Berman Steven. Then I opened my own gym, but over time it didn’t work out. It was rough. It was a time that really tested me. I knew that if I continued to appear, to continue to work, something new would come out of this, and that was the way it was. I became the youngest coach on NBC’s Strong , a competition-based reality show that revolutionized the participants’ bodies. I coached privately again, and whether I was coaching a professional athlete or a beginner, I loved helping people overcome personal battles, obstacles and walls that they might not have been able to overcome on their own.
There have been many ups and downs on this journey, but Gloveworx is now a fast-growing company and it’s nice to say that this time it feels like we really did it right.
Tell us about a recent work day.
I wake up at 4 a.m. and start my day with an intense workout with my coach. Then I shower, eat and meet the students at Gloveworx’s original flagship studio in Santa Monica.
I train both private groups and private clients from 7:00 to 14:00. Then I take a break for a quick meeting with the Gloveworx team about the new coach development opportunities we are creating, followed by a photo shoot for new art for our World Trade. Center in New York, scheduled to open later this year.
Then I grab a quick snack of protein and greens, and then head off to a workout outside the office with one of my clients. After that, I head to our Westfield Century City studio, which opened in March, where I see a few more private clients until around 20:00. Finish the day with a yoga class before heading home.
I’m not one of those who need a lot of sleep – in this regard, I was lucky. And I’m so passionate about what we create with Gloveworx that I want to maximize every day.
What apps, gadgets or tools can’t you live without?
I always carry a brush grip enhancer with me. My grip is what allows me to keep my finger on the pulse for my clients, which is why I constantly work on this – in meetings, in between clients, everywhere. I’m a fan of making the most of my time.
How is your workplace arranged?
It’s a 20 x 20 raised platform with pillars at each corner and a mat on it, haha! This is a boxing ring and I like it.
How do you maintain a high level of quality at Gloveworx? How do you pass on your boxing and fitness skills to coaches?
We are very selective when it comes to selecting new members to join our team. Our coaches have extensive athletic experience and incredible knowledge of strength and conditioning training. Every week we hold trainer meetings where trainers learn more about movement, nutrition, and how the body responds to various fitness techniques.
We are looking for people with a “growth mindset”. People who always strive to improve and develop their skills and enthusiastically help our rivals to do the same.
What’s your best shortcut or life hack?
Teamwork. As an entrepreneur, I constantly think about 500 things. It is impossible to do everything and at the same time be close to my clients, who are always my priority. So, I am collaborating. I work closely with the people around me that I trust, and we have come together to bring a broader vision to life.
How to recharge or relax?
I don’t drink coffee, so I take a very cold shower when I need extra energy. I am so physically active that if I have time to rest, I usually take the opportunity to catch up. Otherwise, I read articles about successful entrepreneurs who have built their businesses from scratch.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t make hasty, emotional decisions based on temporary moods or feelings. There are many ups and downs in life. Sometimes, things that seem negative can actually be a huge positive turning point in your life. It’s easy to respond quickly, but it’s always best to let your emotions calm down before making a decision.
What problem are you still trying to solve?
Gloveworx is growing at an incredible rate. We really try to preserve what made our flagship location so special – the sense of community and the ability to work as one family. Many of our competitors have been with me over the years, and many of our employees have been with us since we opened. These people are my family. Holding on to this when opening additional locations is not an easy task, but also a big priority for me. We want to recreate the same feeling in every Gloveworx location across the country.