6th July 2010

“There are two things that are certain in anything, there will be obstacles and there will be sacrifices, how you handle these two things will determine your success” – Ritchie Gibson

Businessman, Leader, Motivator, Trainer, Partner, Friend are all words that could describe Ritchie Gibson, though speaking with him one word stands out above the rest - Competitor.

To understand what drives Ritchie Gibson’s success we must look back to his beginning and principles that have driven his life.

Ritchie came from a poor background with his family rarely having enough money for any luxury items, however from a young age Ritchie was determined to be independent. In his own words “I never wanted to ask for anything from anyone, if I wanted something I wanted to work for it and get it myself”.

This motivation pushed Ritchie from school as a teenager and into a trade as an apprentice chef. Ritchie’s first few days went as you would expect when you are crumbing and slicing through thousands and thousands of lamb brains on a humid summers day in Sydney.

After the second day Ritchie went to his father and was given some advice that would begin a trait he has fostered for the rest of his life, his father said “Just stick with it” and Ritchie did! Successfully staying in the profession for 4 years.

Ritchie then went in to the Army where he became the Student of Merit at the Australian Defence Force physical training school, whilst completing qualifications to become a fitness trainer at the same time.

Ritchie moved on from the Army to do a number of things based around health & fitness including starting a personal training studio, catering mainly for professional athletes in Townsville, and writing a weekly column for the Townsville Bulletin on health topics which according to Ritchie “forced me to prepare and research all areas of my profession”

Looking for a change after a relationship breakdown, Ritchie took to the high seas joining the world’s largest Cruise Ship operator as the on-board Fitness Director. Given his past success, drive and passion its not hard to believe that soon Ritchie became the highest selling fitness director on cruise ships in the world.

Talking to a particularly wealthy client one night Ritchie was given the chance to take in an art auction on board, Ritchie’s competitive spirit shone through again saying to himself at the time “I could do that”.

In a chance encounter Ritchie was introduced to the Cruise Ships Art Director, not being one to shy away from a conversation Ritchie pressed him for more information on what he did (and what he earned).

Not having the slightest knowledge of art Ritchie was now determined to be an Art Salesman. Ritchie went to work, working out a plan for how he would achieve his goal and working through the night to get his portfolio and proposal together, before contacting the Director for Fine Arts for the Princess cruise line and asking for an opportunity.

Ritchie, understanding that the Princess Cruises director was not convinced he could do the job, said “If you give me this chance I guarantee you I will be in the top 5% of Art Director’s at sea”

Ritchie got his opportunity, applying himself to his new task and conditioning his mind through books and audiotapes, Ritchie began applying everything that he learnt and true to his word became the highest selling Art Director on Cruise Ships in the world.

In 2008 Ritchie returned home and was shown an opportunity to become a franchisee in the newly formed Jetts 24/7 fitness in Brisbane. Ritchie with his business partners have now gone on to start three successful Jetts franchises in Taringa, Ashgrove and Lutwyche and are in the process of starting another at an inner city Brisbane location.

Ritchie now divides his time between his Jetts franchises, his other soon to be launched business ventures, family, friends and golf.

Ritchie himself will tell you he started out with no more talent than anyone else, but with dedication, commitment, a competitive spirit and the willingness to push through his fears, Ritchie has achieved tremendous success in life explaining “its not where you come from that counts, its where your going”.

I’m sure you will agree that with his experience, positive attitude and competitive nature Ritchie Gibson will continue to Think Big and inspire others around him to achieve their goals.

See the full Ritchie Gibson article and Q&A in the upcoming edition of Balanced Magazine - subscribe for FREE here