Tell us about what drives you to create communities in The Finishr and your gym, Life Hub Geelong?
I genuinely love that I get to do it with my best friend (and partner) Gabe. For us, we needed to create spaces like the FINISHR in 2019 because there was simply wasn't anything like it in the region at all. There were run clubs for pretty serious runners, there was running events, but there wasn't a Run Club that marketed to people like myself who were really 95% there for the social side of things. So we created it ourselves.
Same with Life Hub. There's nothing remotely like it in Geelong, from the training and programming itself, to the beautiful and creative training facility, to the community where everyone seems to build stronger and more authentic relationships within a gym - for us we created this for those reasons. With the training aspect, I come from a Sports & Exercise Sciences education background and with the experience in the coaching and programming space over the years, there is a huge hap in what the group fitness market offers in the region and in general. So with Life Hub, it was a no-brainer for us to create the space for it in Geelong.
Alongside that, we find so much fulfilment in building relationships and watching others develop new relationships with one another. We have been lucky enough to meet our greatest friends through the FINISHR and Life Hub, and seeing others also do the same is pretty special.
I also thrive off the creative side of building a brand and a community around it - I really enjoy going against the grain with what people expect from Run Clubs and Gyms to be.
What does a day in the life of Bree Filippone look like?
A very early alarm. 4:40am most mornings to coach at Life Hub, followed by getting around the members in classes and then jumping into a session with them. Two coffees (at least) get me through all comms, check ins, social media content and Personal Training.
All programming for Life Hub is done in-house with myself and the Life Hub Moorabbin Head Coaches so will get stuck into that too to build and refine what's working and what could be done better - one of our values plastered over our walls in the studio is ‘Work In Progress’ so we live into this everyday by always finding ways to grow and improve.
My role involves a lot of creative social media work which I have learnt on the fly over the last year in particular, so I'll often spend far too long than is necessary editing videos/reels - I actually love it though.
Mid afternoon I'll always try to get our for a walk, often by the ocean then I'll try to switch off on the couch with Gabe, watch a movie or read a good book!
Where does enjoying of food and wine fit into your life?
Oh I love food. Food is social, it's connection and it's time to spend with good company. I am lucky to have beautiful friends and family whose love language is also delicious hearty share food so I get so much joy in coming together to eat, drink & share wonderful company.
For Gabe and myself, our perfect date is going out for dinner and a drink, and often followed by ice-cream.
What's the best thing about your work as a PT/Co-Owner of Life Hub?
One thousand percent it is building relationships with people. A lot of my job as a coach is helping people move better and better understand their bodies and what it is capable of - often un-learning fears, limitations, reducing pain, then to build greater habits, stronger foundations & a new approach to fitness and strength training.
One of the best comments I get from clients I have worked with over the 9 years as a coach, is how I have changed the way they looked at their fitness and exercise. I may have a ‘no bullshit’ approach to mindset and training, and sometimes it may be a little polarising or to the point - however its also about holding up a mirror (sometimes my own) to help educate, create awareness or spark change within my clients (or followers on social media).
What I love now in my role as the co-owner at Life Hub is that I have the ability to share my experience in the industry with our Life Hub coaches to help them become better at their craft too.
What's the hardest thing?
Probably the early alarms! I also wear my heart on my sleeve. With Life Hub and FINISHR being an extension of who I am, my personality, my passion and my relationships. So when challenges arise, the human in me feels this too - it's a blessing as it also makes me so passionate and innovative with what I do, but also a challenge of course!
What does your dream night out look like?
Although I literally live in activewear, I love getting dressed up with a fresh face and cute fit for dinner with the main squeeze (Gabe of course). We are those people who love a 5pm dinner booking, so we can enjoy some wine, relax through a meal and follow it up with dessert or getting home to watch a movie with chocolate on the couch - then still be in bed my 9pm!
What's something very few people know about you?
I don't often talk too much about it online, but what sparked making a big dint in the fitness space came from my personal experiences. I was told early in my education that I wouldn't make it in the industry due to it's male-dominated field - this sparked something in me and I honestly wish I remembered the name of the person who said that - to thank them more than anything.
