For two months, Robert Ingle said he slept about three hours a night leading up to the opening of his new store, Pumped Up Fitness Nutrition, on Nov. 9.
“And it was worth it,” said Ingle, a 51-year-old who has lived in Hollister for approximately three years. “It was tough, of course, but I didn’t mind it. It’s the coolest thing in the world to do what you love. I get up every morning and unlock the doors to my dream.”
Pumped Up Fitness Nutrition is located on 401 McCray St., Building B, Suite 14. Hollister certainly has its share of workout aficionados and bodybuilding types, so it’s a wonder why there aren’t more nutrition and supplement shops in town. There is a General Nutrition Centers, or GNC, but few other options.
Even though the nutrition/supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar business, Ingle wants to make one thing clear: If you’re looking for that magic pill, it doesn’t exist. Ingle isn’t here to fool anyone into thinking that a pill or powder can be a substitute for real food, or that you’re going to magically lose weight and keep it off through supplements.
“One of the things that separates us from other stores is I do not have one product that is called meal replacement,” he said. “Because you actually have to get your nutrition from real food, not from powders. These are supplements—they’re meant to supplement your diet, not replace it.”
Pumped Up Fitness Nutrition sells a variety of products, including ones that help with meal prep and meal planning.
“We have products that are good for vegetarians and vegans, and items that don’t have stimulants in them, which are hard to find,” Ingle said. “We’re a one-stop shop, and when you come in, we’re actually going to have a conversation with you and match you with products that fit your goals.”
Ingle was a service manager at a number of automotive departments in the Bay Area before opening Pumped Up Fitness Nutrition. Ingle said he was heavily involved in rodeo growing up, including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and team roping. Ingle said he earned a rodeo scholarship to the University of Wyoming, graduating there with a degree in business.
About 2 ½ years ago, he envisioned opening his own business because he wanted to combine his love for health and nutrition and help people in the process. Ingle devoured as much information as he could on all things relating to health, nutrition and supplements, picking out products in the process.
He also studied several different supplement stores to make sure his business would stand out.
“Business is good and we’re growing,” he said. “People are finding the store, and I’m really looking forward to what the future holds.”
For those into bodybuilding and powerlifting, Ingle promises a treat: He’s going to bring some of the biggest names in the industry to his store. C.T. Fletcher, a six-time world champion powerlifter and a former world bodybuilding champion, is scheduled for a meet-and-greet at the store Feb. 20.
Ingle said some other big names are scheduled to appear at his store in the future, including Keven Da Hulk, Rich Piana, four-time Mr. Olympia winner Jay Cutler and current Mr. Olympia and five-time champion Phil Heath. Ingle said he’s made connections the last couple of years in the power lifting and bodybuilding industry.
“There are pretty amazing people in this business who will go out of their way to help you if you live your life with honesty and integrity,” he said. “It’s amazing how many people will help you.”
Ingle said his goal is to have a guest appearance from someone recognizable in the fitness and bodybuilding industry at his store at least once every two months. Ultimately, Ingle said he opened up a business to not only make a living of course, but to help others live a healthier life.
“You actually get to help people feel better,” he said. “You can’t put a good price on good health—it changes everything. You only get one life to live, so you have to make the best of it you can.”
