Meet William Grayson | Battle Box Wellness Owner | CEO

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

Hi William, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
This is an easy one. I can speak about this on both the corporate and entrepreneurial level. I’ll speak briefly about the latter. One important lesson I learned building Battle Box is to have a diversity of resources at your disposal. Initially, I did not have the luxury of doing so. There’s an old saying used in the novel “Don Quixote” that said and I quote “It is the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not venture all his eggs in one basket.” Doing so can bring about difficult situations. I found myself navigating through challenges daily. This was my 1st brick and mortar rodeo. Even though I consider myself to be a resourceful individual, I didn’t know a lot of things about the fitness industry and I’m still learning as each day goes by. Financially, I had too much tied up into this venture to turn back or give up on the dream. Do not be afraid to make drastic changes if you can clearly see that doing so will eliminate a lot of difficulties within your operational processes. In January of 2023 I hit the reset button, followed my gut instincts, and pieced together a supporting system with a wealth of industry knowledge and things took a turn for the better.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My love for fitness goes all the way back to my collegiate years at Auburn University. It was a different vibe back then from what we now see on IG and other social media sources. Back then we did it for ourselves and not necessarily tips and tricks to total strangers online. I’ve always been somewhat healthy and fit. I’ve visited many gyms throughout my life and was always that guy that said “that could be my picture on the wall as owner”. I was also that guy that would correct others in the gym on proper form in a pleasant welcoming way. I was not certified but some people can use a little advice to prevent injuries.

I did not choose a path in fitness as a career. I graduated with a Bachelors in Management Information Systems. Computer Technology was a thriving field back in those days. I did it all from helpdesk support, networking, programming and systems analyst. During all those years of crawling on the floors under desks to repair pc’s and running warehouse management systems all over the US, I was able to manage my finances wisely. I then made a drastic move and decided to leave corporate America. I consider myself being semi retired from UPS here in Georgia after 17 years.

After “retirement” I took a year off to plan my next move. That move was the birth of Battle Box Wellness. It was always in the making. I just never acted on it. To this day I can’t believe that I did. Battle Box believes in healing utilizing movement. We’re battling and boxing out diseases by staying healthy physically and mentally. I dedicated my gym to my father whom we lost to Alzheimer’s. That’s where all the Purple comes from when you visit my facility. Our purpose doesn’t stop there. We support all diseases and illnesses. We actively support those causes as well in the community.

This venture has not been an easy one as many entrepreneurs know. Especially gym owners. Covid-19 closed a lot of mom and pop boutique shops. It stripped away the fitness community we all loved. Everything went virtual. It was not the same. That too is another reason why Battle Box exist. I wanted to bring back that feeling. That feeling of being able to go into a facility and workout with your gym buddies. Talk about your work day, family, relationships and everything in-between. You don’t get that watching a fitness video.

Our purpose is to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and prevention through fitness and community. We exist to provide a quality experience that focuses on accessible and shame-free fitness of all types for all types of people. We promise to deliver a client experience that goes beyond fitness and battles the barriers to health within the community head-on.

Services we offer are but not limited to boot camp, personal 1-1 training, small group training, massage therapy, sauna therapy and one off classes such as step, TRX ect.

We believe that taking care of your health is the most important thing you can do for yourself and those around you—and that’s why we’re here. Our gym is a judgment-free zone where you can work out without worrying about what other people think of you. We’ll help control your weight without hurting your body or making it feel like a struggle. We’ll help prevent disease and keep you strong for life. We want to give you the tools to live a long, healthy life with as little stress as possible so that whatever happens in your life feels manageable and under control.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
People that really know me would laugh if they were sitting next to me and heard someone ask me where the hot spots are in the city. I’m a country guy with a splash of city in me. When my day one’s are in town we’re somewhere out getting wet or dirty. I’ve always been a kid at heart so my garage is packed with ATV’s, jet ski’s and motorcycles. On a Summer weekend you can catch us out on the lake in Superman my custom boat or in the woods in my camper sitting around a fire cracking each other up. I’m that guy that tags along in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I have to start by saying thank you Lord for the blessings bestowed on my life. I spent many a night and still do asking for guidance on my journey bringing Battle Box to life and everything else. I’d also like to shout out my family. They’ve always been supportive in everything I do. My pops, rest in heaven whom I’ve dedicated my gym to for his battle with Alzheimer’s. My Warriors of Battle Box already know. If I’m not fist bumping them I’m thanking them for the love and support. Finally my trainers. They know who they are. I appreciate your hard work, guidance and advice.

Website: http://www.battleboxatlanta.com

Instagram: battleboxatlanta

Twitter: battleboxceo