Exploring Life & Business with Adrien King of AKtivate Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrien King

Hi Adrien, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began in Lafayette, Louisiana, where I grew up watching my mother battle lupus, arthritis, and chronic inflammation. It broke my heart to see her in pain and relying on countless medications just to get through the day. That experience shaped me, it became my motivation to train, to learn, and to make a difference.

But it wasn’t just about my mom. Many in my family struggled with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and I refused to accept that these conditions had to define our future. I wanted to prove that our choices, our nutrition, our movement, and our mindset could change everything.

As a collegiate athlete, fitness was already a huge part of my life, but I knew I had a bigger purpose. After college, I became a personal trainer, helping individuals take control of their health. A couple of years later, I coached my first group class, and that was the moment everything clicked. I fell in love with the energy, the connection, and the ability to inspire and uplift an entire room at once.

A few years later, I had the privilege of coaching Meagan and Tharu, who would eventually become my business partners at AKtivate Fitness. Together, we built something special a gym where every member feels seen, heard, and valued.

At AKtivate, our mission goes beyond just fitness. We’re here to create an impact not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. We also offer Rocksteady Boxing, a program designed for those with Parkinson’s disease. Seeing how movement transforms lives, whether in our high-energy group classes or through Rocksteady, is what fuels me every single day.

No matter how my day starts, I reset before every class because I know that for one hour, I have the power to change someone’s mood, boost their confidence, and remind them of their strength. And that’s what keeps me going.

This is more than fitness. This is purpose. This is community. This is AKtivate.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building Aktivate during the pandemic was not a smooth journey. We attempted to lease several spaces but faced challenges. However, we remained optimistic, and that’s when we discovered our home in Cary. After securing our location, the buildout process began. Although our opening was delayed by a few months, we ultimately succeeded in opening our doors.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
AKtivate Fitness offers a 50-minute group workout experience that focuses on boxing, kickboxing, and strength training. We pride ourselves on having group classes with a personal touch. Our high energy, strong community, expert coaches, and results-driven workouts set us apart. In class, you will vibe out to awesome music and learn boxing techniques while also having time for strength training.

What distinguishes us is our ability to understand each member and provide modifications during workouts, along with coaching outside of class. We are accessible to our members throughout the day for nutrition advice, travel workouts, and more. I know each member by name when they walk in. The majority of our members have shared their stories and their “why,” which gives me extra motivation to encourage them.

We offer a free class for anyone who walks through our doors. Our memberships are month-to-month, tailored to how many times a month you’d like to work out. We also provide personal training and challenges throughout the year to help our members accelerate their progress.

At AKtivate, we meet you where you are and help you get where you want to be. Your goals are our mission. Your success is our success.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
What has worked well for me in finding my mentors is being around those I want to learn from and grow from. I believe proximity is power, so I strive to be around those who fuel my fire and challenge me in ways I did not realize. Networking is also essential; you never know who you will meet or what opportunities may arise. Be authentic and be yourself! Don’t dilute your uniqueness just to fit in; your individuality could be exactly what someone else is searching for. I’ve been blessed with many mentors from different situations and opportunities, from just being myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aktivatefitness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aktivatefitness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKtivateFitness/