The WOD Life has a goal to connect with people all over the globe and provide only the best in fitness gear and equipment. Like everyone and everything, though, our beginnings were small and humble. We don’t often talk about how The WOD Life got its start, but that’s exactly what TWL creators Ben and Andy shared when they caught up with Strive 168, a podcast for people who strive for health and wealth.
Ben and Andy met in high school but eventually went their separate ways. The career roles they would later fill looked different from their lives today: Ben worked government jobs while Andy focused on corporate finance. There was always something missing, though. They were looking for something more. As Andy explained, having a job that was so intellectually draining had him craving things he was more passionate about. That’s where fitness would eventually step in.
One day, Andy and Ben realized how hard it was to get the fitness equipment they wanted in Australia. In particular, they wanted a certain kind of speed rope for their training. Their only option was to buy it and have it shipped from the U.S.
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It didn’t initially seem like an issue until they found out that they’d need to open a wholesale account and order 30 speed ropes if they wanted to be able to get them.
One or two speed ropes was no big deal. 30 was on the expensive side. They found a way to put together around $500, hoping they’d be able to sell the remaining ropes to their gym friends.
And that’s how The WOD Life got its start.
At the time, that $500 they spent was quite the gamble. As is the case for most businesses in their infancy, money was in short supply. They were spending $5 on logos and putting in their own blood, sweat, and tears on a regular basis to try to make something happen. And while Ben and Andy never thought too far into it, their first sales — the speed ropes — were what ignited everything. They acknowledge this as one of the most defining moments in their business.
Another memory that sticks out to Ben and Andy is an event they signed up to attend early on. The packed up every piece of product they owned, drove for two days, and spent everything they had to get to this event. With their backs up against the wall, they knew this was the moment, and they had to make it work. They started introducing themselves and connecting with as many people as they could. They formed new relationships and discovered an incredible way to grow their business. And that was when they first realized that The WOD Life truly was a brand.
Since its inception, The WOD Life has undergone quite the evolution. Having no experience in eCommerce, Andy and Ben are self-taught. They took action, educated themselves, and learned everything they could. They had to make a lot of important decisions based on nothing but their gut feelings. They had to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and figure some things out as they went. This was how, in less than 12 months, they became the fastest growing online sports store in the world.
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The WOD Life aims to provide an excellent experience for every person they interact with. We want to help you as you grow and progress through your fitness journey. Consider us your training partner for life.
To listen to the full podcast — including Andy and Ben’s advice for aspiring business owners (plus some exciting news!) — you can listen to it over at Strive 168’s channel.
