5 Questions for Athletic Club CEO Frank Lawrence
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(Photo by Daniel Moody)
Former banker Frank Lawrence left the corporate world to head up Arkansas’ largest locally owned network of athletic clubs, including Little Rock Athletic Club, Little Rock Racquet Club, North Little Rock Athletic Club, Downtown Athletic Club, 501 CrossFit, DAC CrossFit, CrossFit Foxcroft and Razorback CrossFit. His passion for CrossFit and his business savvy have helped usher in a new era for Little Rock Athletic Centers.
FIT Arkansas: How did you get into the fitness business?
Frank Lawrence: After college, I began a 26-year banking career. All the while, I was active in endurance-based sports like running, triathlons and cycling. In 2007, my neighbor and I discovered CrossFit and incorporated it into to our daily routines.
In 2010, we decided to open CrossFit Little Rock. I still had my day job, but my hobby became a business. Then, three years ago, I was presented with the tremendous opportunity to become a part of Little Rock Athletic Centers as part owner and CEO. That was when I became a retired banker and full-time executive in the health and wellness industry.
Why are you so drawn to CrossFit, in particular?
Most that know me know that I like to say, “Everything is CrossFit.” CrossFit changed my life. CrossFit is constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movements. Fixed, predictable and routine regimens don’t always work.
If you had to choose just one workout to do forever, though, what would it be?
Any CrossFit workout. If just one, then the “Murph”—1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, 1 mile run. It’s named after fallen Navy Seal Michael Murphy. Two years ago, we decided to do a “Triple Murph” for my 45th birthday. It took two and a half hours but was a tremendous way to celebrate my health and age.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
I am one of those crazy morning people. I have to start my day [with a workout] because, as the day goes on, I find reasons not to exercise. It doesn’t sound like it, but I really don’t like to exercise. I do, however, like the community aspect of suffering together. It makes me feel great—sometimes during, always after.
Give us your best motivational line.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. It always comes down to getting on the starting line or showing up for class. RFP, or “Relentless Forward Pursuit,” is a mantra that helps me.
Quick Reps
5 a.m., noon or 6 p.m. workout? 5 a.m.
Motto? Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, feelings of the [class], and finish strong!
Celebrity health/fitness “crush”? Rich Froning Jr., four-time “Fittest Man in the World”
Guilty-pleasure on a cheat day? Ice cream and beer