This week on the 10forty Podcast, Conor sits down with George, the man behind G Force Fitness, an encouraging conversation. George opens up about his journey through addiction, seeking help and completing a 16-month treatment programme in Scotland. He speaks candidly about relapse, falling off the wagon, suffering a mild stroke and the mindset it took to rebuild his life again. From selling papers outside a school on the Crumlin Road and cutting grass after asking his mam for new runners (and getting a lawnmower instead), to leaving school young, getting into fights, climbing pipes and waving at the principal from outside the building — George’s early years were anything but conventional. After treatment, he took a job as a kitchen porter, working long shifts and learning the ropes from the ground up. When a chef called in sick, George stepped up, working alongside the combi and dessert chefs — a moment that showed the eagerness and hunger that would define his future. We dive into what the role of a kitchen porter really involves, the different shifts and how his brother helped him get his foot in the door. We also unpack his time in window tinting (including the day he burned a hole in a car while distracted and got fired), working from his back garden and the many lessons learned along the way. George shares how he got into training, completed his PT qualification and how exercise gave him direction, feeling, and meaning. He speaks honestly about competing in bodybuilding, taking steroids and the toll it took on his body. We debate whether the PT industry should be regulated and discuss his coaching philosophy, standards and approach to building both people and business. During Covid, George started doing live Instagram workouts from his kitchen — heater on full, towels everywhere, growing his following from 1,100 to 9,000. When gyms were closed, he launched free bootcamps in a local field. What started with 10 people grew to 20… then 90… then 150 at a single session. The Gardaí shut it down. He moved locations. Kept going. Local TDs got behind him. He saved his first €2,000, bought dumbbells and built momentum. Two years in a field before moving into a facility. Today, G Force Fitness has over 900 members, runs seven classes per day (05:30, 06:15, 09:30, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00) with four PTs per class and has built something far bigger than a gym — it’s a community. • Kids under 16 train for free • Family deals for accessibility • Training local schools and addiction recovery centres • Over 120 HYROX competitors with 15 flags at Dublin HYROX and zero penalties • A free running club with 13 volunteer mentors • Affordable memberships for those who can’t pay premium prices “Train in the rain to look insane or remain the same.” We talk about purpose, leadership, recruiting and developing PTs from scratch, training people in groups to maximise both impact and profit and why helping people will always be the mission. This is a story of resilience, redemption, community and relentless belief. If you’re in business, in fitness, in recovery, or simply trying to build something meaningful — this one is for you. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. Get 25% off your first month’s storage using the code CS25 HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com
