Topic: Lost my gym again

[Patrick Donnelly]

Chris,

I'm sure things will work out in the long run.  If you didn't have determination, you wouldn't be a weightlifter.

Take care,
Patrick

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Crazy day on this topic. The manager of the gym, the owner's sister, told me this guy Brandon agreed to pay me for the damaged platforms and told me to bill him. I told her that was great and I would bring a bill to the gym. So, he showed up and I tried to discuss it outside the facility like men, politely. He ignored me and walked inside. He pretended to be busy wrapping up and all that. I gave him a few minutes and finally addressed him publicly saying, "Brandon, can we resolve this situation now." He said to give him the bill. So, I handed it to him and he lunged at me as if he was attacking me/punching me and invaded my space putting his chest against mine. I told him to back off or I would call the police. He did not, staring me down. I backed up, left the gym, reported it to the manager, and left the facility. Then I called the police and reported it, met them back at the gym, and they said he didn't hurt me so there was no assault or battery. This is a black belt martial arts instructor and professional fighter that outweighs me by 10-15lbs.

Anyway, I have a new facility and I like it better. Just need to build a platform and drive my equipment over. I'm going to file a small claim against this guy for the platforms and move on. I think things are looking up. :)

[Taylor Chiu]

Good news!  Guess there are people for whom the term "butt-head" is a perfect fit.

[Dave Chiu]

You did the right thing, but those cops are ignorant, trying to minimize their workload,

working a de-escalation policy (worked great for Chamberlain), or the law in FL is messed up.

Any threatening act/movement is an assault -- contact makes it battery as well.

If you punch toward someone's head, that's assault, even if there's no contact, and even if they don't see it

(as long as a reasonable person would find the act threatening of harm).

As for the original attempt at reasoning w/ the "too dangerous" mindset,

I like asking, "So is your sport less risky than cheerleading?"

Their pride will require them to say No, then you just say "Mine is."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

When I called the police in the first place, they said the threatening lunge combined with the chest bump constituted battery. I know if someone did that to a police officer they would be beat down quick and in jail. I called the officer's supervisor to appeal the decision and get a case number so I can bring the documentation to small claims court over the platform damage. So we will see. Not trying to be vindictive, but protecting my interest in the platform money after he made it clear there will be no settlement and actually am worried this guy may come after me again. He really is crazy.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

The law is certainly strange. Apparently, its fine and dandy to go around feigning punches/lunges at people, sticking your chest on them, and acting like a buffoon. The cop's supervisor said nothing illegal about it. I asked what if he did that to a cop. The answer was "A cop wouldn't let him do that." Apparently the bottom line is the guy had to actually punch/tackle me or I had to fight back for it to be battery. So, if I had responded to his violence with violence, apparently he would have broken the law. Of course, that means I would have broken the law also.

LMAO

[Scott Tusic]

I feel bad for ya Chris. The co-owner hasn't a clue as to what it takes to construct a lifting facility. Forget the stronghold ruler and move on. Good will come out of this fiasco. Do what I am doing. Speak with all your  state congressmen and reps. Health and fitness is at the top of the list for recieving grant money.Some grants never have to be paid back.  Maybe a boys/girls club is the way to introduce your ideas to your state officials. Health and wellbeing is key and if presented in a positive presentation, using pro's and con's regarding physical fitness and reduced health costs by being in shape, the state officials may entertain your plans and expertise in the field. You would be better off without the fight gang in your facility. Just a thought. Scott

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Scott,

Good stuff! However the most loyal athlete I have ever had is one of my MMA fighters. He has been training with me on and off (I was away at grad school) for about ten years. And, I think the business model of sharing a gym with MMA fighters is a good one. Like us, they do not absolutely require air conditioning even in a Florida summer or a lot of glitz and mirrors. I have always wanted to open a strength + conditioning/personal training center but its a tough job. For that, you need all the bells and whistles and then weightlifting in the same facility is counterproductive to the business. 

This was just the case of one unstable freak. It looks like our nuclues of athletes are all ready to chip in and build a platform today!

Yippee!