By Kate Schultz
Many of us make New Year’s resolutions to improve our health and fitness, but Bradley Poole, the owner of Warrior Fitness and Wellness, offers a compelling story for taking care of our health no matter the time of year. With a background in personal training and a wealth of knowledge on operating a gym, Bradley Poole started Warrior Fitness & Wellness on January 4th, 2021.
Poole knew he wanted to focus on holistic wellness, taking into account both physical and mental health. As an individual with cystic fibrosis, which is a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and other organs, Poole knows from firsthand experience that health is not something to take for granted. “Being born with and living with a life-limiting ailment has really motivated and inspired me to make my health a priority,” says Poole. “I wasn’t always motivated to take care of myself, though. Years ago, my health was on a downward spiral. I was in and out of the hospital for weeks at a time because I wasn’t taking care of myself like I should have been.” Poole shares that those with cystic fibrosis have to follow a strict, time-intensive daily treatment regimen in order to maintain their health. “In my early twenties I wasn’t doing my treatments religiously. In a nutshell, I was masking all of my mental and physical health problems with alcohol. Had I continued on the path of self-destruction I was on, I wouldn’t be here today. I am thankful and grateful I changed my life and made my health my number one priority. Now I can help others do the same!” To that end, Warrior Fitness & Wellness not only offers exercise equipment, training, and fitness classes such as yoga, boxing, and HIIT, but also provides massage therapy with Regina Mowry and chiropractic services with Doug Schindler. And in January, The Edge Hair Salon will be moving from its location on Monroe Street to the Warrior facility.
In addition to owning and managing Warrior, Poole is a motivational speaker. In 2011, he responded to a request to speak at a cystic fibrosis-related event. Over the past 10 years, Poole says, “I’ve been asked to speak at high schools, colleges, banquets, cystic fibrosis events, cystic fibrosis health clinics and different virtual health and wellness events. My most recent speaking engagement was at my alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. I spoke to students in the Exercise Science Program. The objective was to share my story, inspire and show these younger adults what’s possible when you work hard and chase dreams. I also had the opportunity to put them through a killer workout at the end, which I’m sure they all loved!”
Warrior offers different ways to get involved – classes are available to purchase whether you’re a member or not, via the StudioBookings app. However, a membership to the gym offers access to the workout facility from 5am-midnight, every day of the week, and there are various deals available, including year-round discounts for seniors, students, military personnel, and first-responders. Holiday Valley and HoliMont members can also receive discounted memberships.
While many people use the new year to jump-start their fitness routine or set a weight loss goal, why not make your overall health and wellness a consistent priority? Warrior Fitness & Wellness truly offers something for everyone, whether you want to relax and recharge with a massage, improve your flexibility with yoga, or develop your endurance with cardio/strength training. According to Poole, “I want to acknowledge that it’s a family environment here. All of our members support each other, encourage each other and want to see each other succeed in whatever goals it is we have. We laugh, we have fun and we also push each other to be the best we can be at all times. We have a great community going on here and I look forward to seeing it grow as the years go on.”
Find out more about how you can make your own health a priority by visiting Warrior’s Facebook page, downloading StudioBookings, calling 716-699-1100, or visiting in-person at 5 Park Ave. in Ellicottville.