Why Their Second Business Worked When the First One Didn't | Vianney and Derrick Yamada

mgraziano45
2 days ago
2 min read

What happens when a business shuts down, a neighbor reports your garage gym to the city, and you're forced to decide whether to start over or walk away?

Meet Vianney and Derrick Yamada

Vianney and Derrick Yamada are the owners and head coaches of Earned Fitness, a small-group training facility in San Diego focused on personalized coaching, accountability, and community.

After losing their first gym during the pandemic, the couple rebuilt their business from the ground up. What started with park workouts and garage training sessions eventually became Earned Fitness, a coaching-first gym designed to help clients build sustainable fitness habits and long-term results.

Over the years, they have:

Built a personalized small-group fitness model
Operated Nike Sports Camps for youth athletes
Helped clients of all ages improve their health and fitness
Created a business centered around relationships and community

Why Habits Matter More Than Motivation

One of the biggest lessons from the conversation was that motivation only lasts so long.

The people who achieve lasting results are often the ones who build habits around:

Sleep
Nutrition
Consistency
Scheduling workouts in advance

Rather than chasing quick results, the Yamadas focus on helping clients create routines they can maintain for years.

Common Fitness Myths After 50

Many people believe they need to get in shape before joining a gym or that strength training becomes unsafe as they get older. The Yamada's disagree.

They believe strength training becomes even more important with age when it's done correctly and coached appropriately.

Some of the biggest misconceptions include:

You need to be fit before starting
Lifting weights is bad for your joints
Injuries mean you should stop exercising
It's too late to build strength

Their philosophy is simple: start where you are and progress safely.

Building a Better Business the Second Time Around

After closing their first gym, Vianney and Derrick said they would never open another business together.

Then a garage gym operation during the pandemic forced a decision. Within nine days, they found a location, secured equipment, and opened Earned Fitness.

This time, they approached the business differently:

Clear roles and responsibilities
Better work-life boundaries
Playing to individual strengths
Protecting their marriage while growing the business

Today, Vianney oversees operations and member experience while Derrick leads programming and coaching.

Resources Mentioned

🔗 Want to Try A Free Class? Go HERE

🔗 Earned Fitness Online

🔗 Earned Fitness on Instagram: @earnedfitnesssd

🔗 Vianney Yamada on Instagram: @vianneyyamada

🔗 Vianney Yamada on LinkedIn

🔗 Derrick Yamada on LinkedIn

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