We recently had the chance to connect with Hannibal Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Hannibal, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
It’s not necessarily what, it’s a place, of controlled adversity, and pure magic; I’ve fallen in love with getting lost in the mountains.
From Joshua Tree to El Capitan, the lessons you learn climbing to the highest peaks, cannot be taught in any school.
From moments of nothingness to transcendent thoughts that change the foundation of who you thought you were, all of this can be found one footstep at a time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Hannibal Smith and I am one of the owners at NXPT FIT.
We are a functional fitness gym, with locations in Kearney Mesa, La Mesa, Chula Vista, and Santee.
The gym was founded by my business partner, best friend, and baddest man on the planet Dan Hark.
Our gym is a community, ranging from high school athletes to some of the fittest 80 year olds in San Diego.
What has drawn people to our community is the diversity of training, constantly changing the programming, stimulus, and equipment. Providing the members with weight training, hot yoga, spin, outdoor training is the foundation on which we continue to build.
In the last 6 years we have become a Hyrox and Spartan Race affiliate gym, and have loved to see the growth of the members as they have stood on podium after podium.
The podiums speak volumes, but what I want really people to understand about our fitness family is that your quality of life is what is most important. We want you to be able to hold your baby without pain, walk up the stairs and not get winded, feel good about your body, feel good on the inside, and a great workout and community can check all those boxes.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Growing up, I watched my father work relentlessly for his goals. Whether it was work, family, fitness he gave it his all. It was actually exhausting sometimes just watching him, and even more so when my brothers and I were dragged along for one of his many missions.
He is a man grounded in his faith and love of Jesus Christ. He taught me truly to have no limits and believe anything is possible. I was naive enough to believe him as a child, and I have never lost the faith, and never accepted perceived limits placed on me by others.
Hard work is in my DNA, and I met my equal in my business partner Dan Hark. Forward is the pace, and the gyms slogan of No Excuses, isn’t just for t-shirts, it’s our way of life.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I work one on one with select members at the gym, and if they learn one thing from me it’s you have to suffer to succeed.
I have had so many losses, so many failures, and every one means so much. They are what guided me, what changed my path, changed my perspective, made me stronger.
The gym is a place of controlled adversity, each workout makes life a little easier. You walk through the doors choosing to do something hard, and you walk out empowered.
I invite adversity into my life, I choose suffering, I seek the challenge, because I want to be humbled. Humility causes constant self reflection, and that phase is the catalyst for permanent change.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie in our industry is that there’s a magic pill, and shortcuts can lead to the healthiest version of yourself inside and out.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I was born to be a servant leader.
The fitness industry is the place to lift up others, challenge others, and build lasting community.
Every time I put the mic on in one of our facilities, I feel the responsibility to every member to give them everything I’ve got for 45 min.
I try my hardest to be present, from every correction of form to every word of encouragement.
The fourth agreement is do your best everyday, and at NXPT FIT, I truly have a place where I have to give my all daily. I have loved everyday, every challenge, and owe it to the community to make sure that continues.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://NXPTfit.com
- Instagram: Nxptmade
