My Gym Life, How Darkside Became a Second Home

My name is Emersyn Greenwood and I am a sophomore at Mishicot high school.My gym life began two years ago when I first stepped into Darkside to do speed training with Coach Chris. At the time, I was training for track during the winter and had no idea how much this place would end up meaning to me. What started as simple speed sessions quickly grew into something bigger—a community, a lifestyle, and a family that changed the way I see myself as an athlete. That following summer, I began lifting with Coach Brian. I came in with very little lifting experience and honestly didn’t expect much from myself. But over time, I’ve passed every expectation I set, and now I’m constantly creating new goals because I know I’m capable of so much more.

Coach Chris and Coach Brian have transformed my life in ways I never expected. They show me what hard work looks like every single day, but even more importantly, they believe in me—sometimes even more than I believe in myself. Their support is incredible. They adjust every plan, every workout, and every technique based on exactly what I need at that moment. When I was doing competitive dance, they took the time to research the sport and understand its demands, even though they had no dance experience before. Because of them, I became a high-level competitive dancer. They made sure I had the strength, speed, and conditioning to excel in a world that was completely new to them. That kind of dedication is rare, and I never take it for granted.

Coach Louie is another part of the Darkside environment that makes it special. Even though I’ve never worked with him directly, I’ve known him since I was very young, and he helps make the gym feel like a place where everyone belongs. His presence, encouragement, and energy add to what makes Darkside so amazing.

Coach Chris has seen my progression as a runner since middle school. He knows how far I’ve come and continues to push me to levels I never thought I could reach. Without his guidance and belief in my potential, my running career would look completely different—maybe even unrecognizable. And Coach Brian has been with me through every step of my lifting journey. I’m so grateful I started training with him. He’s taught me how important lifting is for athletes—not just for strength, but for performance, confidence, and injury prevention. His care for my success and my future is something I will always appreciate.

Darkside isn’t just a gym. It’s a place where I’ve met people who will be lifelong friends, people who inspire me, challenge me, and support me. These coaches and athletes are my Darkside family. Training here has changed my life for the better, and I am proud of the athlete I’m becoming because of this community.

If you’re not a member of Darkside already, I highly recommend it—especially if you’re ready to work hard and change your life. It’s more than a gym. It’s a place where you discover your strength, find your people, and become the best version of yourself.