No pain, no gain for Club Physical founder

Over the past three decades, Richards has gone on to build the business up to 10 clubs - three sold to franchisees and another seven still in his hands. Everything was ticking over nicely until earlier this year, when an unpleasant turn appeared in the road.

"I've been through quite a few big battles over the years but this has been different. I had to fight for my life."

On Friday, February 8, Richards received an email notifying him that one of his franchisees, Stuart Holder, was severing his three agreements and going it alone. Staff at those gyms - in Three Kings, Botany and Westgate - were fitted with new uniforms, class timetables were overhauled and existing instructors were dropped.

Holder's decision to rebrand the club as Jolt Fitness left Richards stunned.

"That night when I went home I said, 'Tina, I think we should just turn the cheek. I don't want to spend any money on lawyers or get in a big fight, I just want to be happy'." But Richards sought advice from close friends and each told him to fight. "So I spent two months fighting, seven days a week."