Meet Abbe Hockaday | Owner/IFBB Professional Bodybuilder – Abb’s Muscle & Fitness Gym

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abbe Hockaday and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abbe, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Originally, I had no desire to “own a gym” having worked in the fitness industry as a hobby while holding down a full-time job. The 100% responsibility for operating a “brick and mortar” business seemed daunting and overwhelming. But in 2013, after the age of 50, I began my journey as a competitive bodybuilder, having experienced “aging complications.” I fell in love with the experience and how I had developed physically and mentally. Once I retired from my “corporate job,” my training coaches offered me the opportunity to purchase their gym and painted a vision of how I could operate in my dream using my talents and abilities to assist others in fitness, full-time. Initially, I thought about it and declined due to a family emergency, which would delay my retirement and timing of purchase for an additional month. But, they said “they would wait!” They knew my level of care and commitment, which earned me a professional status while competing, would bleed into the business. So, I retired on July 31st and began working at the gym August 1st, the next day. Today, it’s the best job I’ve ever had!

What should our readers know about your business?
Having retired from a multi-billion dollar company, afforded me global business experience and exposure. Initially, I purchased a gym and began personal training and providing fitness services. Today, this is a “calling” and I desire to leave a legacy that outlives me which will continue to build lives, communities, and businesses with imprints of a global footprint. Although my business is for-profit, we have plans to expand in the non-profit arena. Since the loss of my niece due to her battle with mental health, my focus has changed. I am even more passionate about the non-physical aspects of health and know it’s value especially as a competitive athlete. At Abb’s Muscle & Fitness LLC, we look to remodel our existence incorporating a more “Holystic” approach to fitness. Yes, spelled “H-o-l-y-s-t-i-c,” to acknowledge the spiritual component. Our approach encourages conversations suggesting a more sustainable and impactful transformation which may lead to a lasting health and wellness lifestyle. We have developed an addition to our gym facility portfolio to include our first prototype of a part coffee-shop space and part gym with a garden-style lobby to minimize entry intimidation. Our manpower is known as the “muscles” of Abb’s and my leadership team are able to manifest their gifts impacting their role in a powerful way. We love people, encourage people, connect people and help people holistically. I look for a heart in employees and in many cases hire those who have no connection to fitness or a gym. We don’t “sell” we tell our story. We’ve become a place of hope, healing and sometimes just a hug! At the same time, we run a profitable business with a heart for excellence. We made it through COVID and are now working on our fourth facility! My goal is for all served to become better individuals, parents, spouses, families, employees, business owners and community members. Quality of life “starts” from within and fitness is more than “physical.” It’s an attitude, a posture, and position. If you “think” you can, “choose” to be positive and “believe” in the best version of you, then go.make.it.happen! Everyday is a competition – be better today than what you were yesterday! Abb’s Muscle & Fitness is about all that!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Itinerary for a day (take a walk off the beaten path from the heart of Atlanta):

• Breakfast at bakery café, Piece of Heaven in Dallas, where everything is homemade with a creative combination of baked goods, coffee/teas and ice cream.

• Work out at the Dallas, Abb’s Muscle & Fitness Gym for lifting, cardio, stretching or classes on the back side of the Villages at Dallas shopping strip.

• Find nature and peace at Ignatius House nudging up to the Chattahoochee River – beautiful 20-acre nature retreat. They offer retreats, spiritual direction and overnight programs to include meals by a chef and clean, onsite accommodations.

• Have lunch at Las Palmas in Rockmart (Polk County) with it’s beautiful interior and excellent Mexican cuisine.

• Walk off lunch on the “The Silver Comet Trail” to include nature trails made for outdoor fitness. As well as visit other parks within the city of Dallas or Paulding County.

• Dinner at The Hickory Hut, in downtown Dallas, a family-owned business that’s been around since 1965, and a local favorite with a delicious serving of “good tasting BBQ.”

• Entertainment on Fridays at Food Truck Fridays where the city of Dallas brings food trucks and live music, open to the public.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Today, Abb’s Muscle & Fitness Gym is more than a business, it’s become a “ministry!” As a Christian, I am passionate about my faith and my family. I was raised in the Air Force, by a Chaplain father. So, I am deeply grateful to both my father and mother for their dedication to faith, family and our country. As a businessman, my father was able to successfully mix all of the above and demonstrate a level of excellence with “Help from above.” He is a decorated retired Colonel, who with my mother, fought during the civil rights movement for the freedoms my siblings and I celebrate today. Being raised in the military afforded us the opportunity to live in various parts of the world, which exposed us to other cultures and the value of those unlike us, but sharing commonality regardless of our language. My brothers and I are very close and love our time together, when we can make that happen since we all live apart. Love of God and love of family, for me has been a blessing and gift. A shout out to my parents: Retired Colonel Albert and Hattie Hockaday and another shoutout to my brothers: Daryl and Shawn for their constant support and encouragement.

Instagram: @abbsmuscleandfitness

Facebook: Abb’s Muscle & Fitness