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Meet Larry North

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry North.

Larry, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My mom and I, along with my twin brothers, moved to Dallas in 1978 when I was just 16 years old. We drove from New York to Vegas and then back towards Houston, where our old junk car made its final mile when it broke down. We had little money and even fewer resources. We stayed at a motel in Richardson. My mom, now 87, lives in Richardson to this day. Having grown up around a Brooklyn-born father with a 7th-grade education who was in and out of prison-made life challenging. The trip that eventually led us to Dallas while running away from him quickly became our salvation.

Because of our financial situation, I started working immediately. My first job was building swimming pools in a year when it didn’t rain for 100 straight days. My financial contribution helped us get on our feet. I sold women’s shoes, started bouncing in bars and hitting the gym religiously. I quickly realized I wasn’t easy to manage, which led me to work for myself at an early age. I started my first business at age 20, which was then called Murphy/North personal training. If I wasn’t the first trainer in Dallas, I am in the conversation. Over the next ten years, so much happened so quickly from gyms, books, radio, TV, infomercials, speaking events, a restaurant and more. It was as if once I got an idea in my head, it became my reality shortly after.

Has it been a smooth road?
The struggles have been brutal to traumatic from the time I was born to the time I arrived in Dallas. I had a degenerate compulsive gambling father whose only job was criminally related, and we moved from coast to coast. By the 11th grade, I had been in 10 school districts. In addition, enduring a home life that made both of my parents want to take their own lives was a nightmare. However, even as a kid, I always knew life will ultimately get better.

All young adults experience challenges personally and professionally. Fortunately, my upbringing conditioned me to be able to handle almost anything put in front of me. It made me a better person and taught me to appreciate the lessons life has taught me. Now I can fully embrace every moment, and that adds joy to my life.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 40 years. In that time, I had my radio show for 34 years, wrote three best-selling books, hosted a global infomercial, opened gyms and a restaurant and more.

I opened the first Larry North Fitness in Highland Park Village over 30 years ago. I now have two Larry North Fitness locations in the Dallas area – Preston Center and Westlake. I don’t feel comfortable with the word fitness icon, but many people refer to me that way. I’m proud of many things after 31 years in business, but I’m proudest of the many people whose lives have changed for the better because of Larry North Fitness, as well as my employees who have achieved great success after branching out on their own.

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