TJ Belger arrived in San Francisco without a plan. Curious and open to whatever the California dream could offer, the journey began. A sign hung in the window of a small gym, “Help wanted” it said. Taking the job at this location as a personal trainer in a city at the time, where some of its population suffered from HIV/AIDS, their path to health was not just about working out, but connecting as a community and supporting each other through immense uncertainty. It was in that place Belger found his mission. 

TJ’s gym “approach combines attention to both the physiological and emotional/relational aspects of life”. There you will find a community welcoming to all who seek to better themselves and those around them. TJ recalls that first experience in San Francisco as a light bulb moment. “How can I make this a career?” he thought. He found his “why” but the “how” was a whole different process. 

As he recalled from early childhood, we all find our coaches in many shapes and sizes, in life and work. Whether it’s your sports coach, religious leader, teacher, or parent, these coaches have much to give us. If I took a few things from our conversation it’s this. Listening and curiosity breed opportunities we never before imagined. I started this website and blog based on the premise of “curiosity”, and that theme permeates TJ’s story from the beginning.

Speaking of listening. While TJ was developing his client base in San Francisco, he was able to learn from his clients about life, business, and as it so happens technology. One of his clients worked for a new company at the time when something called the “internet” as we understand it today was being developed. This particular client advised TJ he needed something called a website to support his business. This resulted in TJ becoming the first personal trainer in San Francisco to have his own website! 

This as he humorously recounted, “was his claim to fame”.

Fast forward to TJ’s gym in Marin

TJ’s gym is that community gym which trains together, laughs together, and supports each other through physical and personal challenges. Throughout it’s 25 year history, this community has supported each other to build not only physical strength but strength in camaraderie through shared workouts. On any given day, the community at TJ’s breathes life into this world, one lift at a time. 

This last year was especially hard on businesses due to COVID-19 restrictions. Unfortunately the San Rafael location was shut down and focus was shifted towards Corte Madera and Mill Valley. This transition for TJ was and still is tremendously difficult as the TJs’ team and family in San Rafael were incredibly close. Beyond San Rafael, he needed to adapt his business model as working out indoors was no longer possible. I got the sense from TJ that adapting to life’s challenges is part of the program. Thankfully, with the support of building management from each location, TJ was able to move gym operations outdoors and continued their popular classes in the adjacent parking lots.

Throughout our discussion, I could conclude that TJ breathes a fire of optimism into his relationships and his business. The members of TJ’s gym reap the benefits of that infectious feeling which translate to the coaches and members alike. To be honest, I get pumped up just following their popular instagram posts.

Before I conclude I should also mention that TJ’s Gym in Tam Junction resides in a building previously held by Video Droid, a popular neighborhood video rental business. Much of the community to this day still remembers what existed before. He felt a responsibility when TJ’s gym first opened to the Tam Junction surrounding community, that they would fill the space with something just as valuable and unique. 

Recently I was meeting a friend at the Junction Beer Garden. As we sat down, I couldn’t help but notice a group of men and women arrive wearing TJ’s gym shirts. Thinking back to that light bulb moment TJ had in which he asked, “How can I make this a career?”, I was met with the answer he sought over 30 years ago, in the form of a sweat soaked t-shirt and the radiant smiles of those who wore them, glad to have TJ’s and Tam Glad to have each other. 

Cheers to TJ’s gym!

TJ’s Gym Mill Valley

Address: 215 Shoreline Hwy Mill Valley, CA 94941