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Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) will team up with the Gotcha4Life Foundation it has announced.

As part of the partnership Isuzu will be providing Gotcha4Life with a specially engineered Isuzu truck for a national tour.

Gotcha4Life is an Australian not-for-profit foundation with a goal of zero suicides, by way of delivering mental fitness programs that engage, educate and empower local communities.

The foundation was founded in 2017 by radio personality, Gus Worland and seeks to build mental fitness, create meaningful mateship, emotional, muscle and social connection in Australia.

IAL Director and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Harbison explained the motivation behind Isuzu Trucks’ involvement with the foundation.

“Gus recently spoke to our team and his message resonated with many people at IAL. The last couple of years have highlighted the importance of mental fitness and the ability to acknowledge challenges, and this is particularly important in our industry which has been traditionally dominated by stoic men,” said Harrison.

“We’ve been privileged to be successful in the market for many years, with one of our key aims supporting Isuzu’s very loyal customer base,” he said.

“While this has been focused on the operation of equipment in businesses, we also acknowledge the importance of supporting a healthy and thriving road transport industry in Australia—on and off the road.

“We’ve chosen the worthy cause of mental health and the Gotcha4Life mission to highlight and amplify, not only for our industry, but for the greater Isuzu family too, including our staff, dealerships and national network.”

The Isuzu truck is designed to act as a gathering point for programs and events, powered by the foundation throughout the year.

Recognising the importance of the design and build of the truck to this initiative, IAL called on the skill and capability of Service Bodies Australia (SBA), led by Managing Director, JP Shelburn.

SBA is a long-term supplier to Isuzu Trucks and the manufacturer of the bodies featured on the highly successful Ready-to-Work Servicepack range of trucks.

“We’re super excited to be a part of this great project—the mission of Gotcha4Life fits right alongside the way we do business and approach our culture of work,” said Shelburn.

“When Isuzu Trucks first approached me regarding our involvement, I knew it was something we wanted to do,” he continued.

“We are fitting industry-best components and equipment as part of this build and automotive electrical equipment manufacturer, Redarc, is providing the all-important electrical nervous system to keep it all powered.

“The truck will feature a widescreen TV, soundbar, fridges, coffee machines, and the ubiquitous Aussie barbecue.

“We have relationships with the best industry equipment suppliers and we’re building a truck that will be a focal point for discussions at Gotcha4Life’s community events.

“We look forward to seeing the truck on its mission for Gotcha4Life and Isuzu and wish the venture every success.”

Following the tour, the truck will be raffled off to one lucky winner with all proceeds going towards achieving Gotcha4Life’s goals.

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Pushing their limits, students in a 7 a.m. Cycle and Shred class spin their hearts out. The class instructor, first-year Brooke Carter created a cycle circuit for the first 20 minutes of the class and an off-the-bike workout for the rest of the time. Photos by Mary Caulfield

Pepperdine students often exercise at the Firestone Fieldhouse Weight Room, on the track and in the Towers gym and Seaside Fitness Center. What some students aren’t fully aware of are Campus Recreation‘s Group Fitness classes.

Campus Recreation aimed to raise awareness of these group fitness classes by giving 15 to 20 minute classes at Mullin Town Square on Feb. 17. Beyond tabling, instructors and students in classes gave insight into what Group Fitness Classes are.

“I feel like it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, get to work out and start your day productively,” first-year instructor Brooke Carter said. “I feel like not enough people take advantage of what we have, especially because they’re free.”

First-year Hailey Emmons said since fall 2021, Campus Recreation has changed its schedule, staff and fee for more student-friendly classes. The $75 cost is now a free-of-charge membership.

“I was hoping more people would come,” Emmons said. “It’s really fun doing it with a lot of people and not just suffering by yourself.”

Now that more instructors and classes are available, Emmons said students can exercise in many different ways to fit however their mind and body are feeling.

“If I’m sore, I want a yoga class, and Summer Xia is good with her yoga class, Yin Yang Yoga,” Emmons said. “[In spin class] Mikayla de la Flore does a dance thing [with] more arms and lifting off. Then, circuit [training is] really fun because you get to do a whole lot of different things and you’re just working against yourself.”

When first-year Gabby Johnson’s alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. for her to get to a spin class by 6 a.m., she said her first instinct is to text her roommate. Johnson said having accountability helps her get up in the morning and stay consistent. But, accountability doesn’t stop when arriving at classes.

“I love working out with other people — like a little community that keeps you accountable and makes me want to work harder,” Johnson said.

First-year Daniela Sandoval said she is just starting to explore the different classes and has loved making the time to be active and finding a positive mindset.

“For me, I don’t work out at all, so it’s just making the time to come here,” Sandoval said. “Also, finding a balance and being OK with not being able to weigh as much as other people because you’re just getting started. It’s just motivational and inspiring to take time out of your days and try to be active.”

First-year Melia Wade said exercising for the first time can be an intimidating experience, especially if you’re not a “gym person.” Wade said she has found the classes help her as she begins her exercise journey.

“[The classes] help me stay active, make me manage my time better and keep me accountable,” Wade said. “I’m not really a gym person. I respect and commend those who are, but I’m just not. So, I think a class is more structured, and I need that.”

Students new to the class aren’t the only ones nervous in their first experiences at group classes — Carter said she laughs when looking back at her first time instructing a 5:30 a.m. spin class over Zoom.

“Everything went completely opposite the way I wanted it to go,” Carter said. “I would forget to call out what exercise was next and forget to turn up the music. But now, looking back, I always joke about my first class.”

Emmons, Johnson, Sandoval, Wade and Carter all said their advice for students on the verge of going to a class is: Just try it.

“Just showing up is half the battle, so definitely just try it, and if you don’t like it, at least you can say you tried it, and if it’s just not for you, then find something else,” Wade said.

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Follow the Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic

Email Meghan Young: meghan.young@pepperdine.edu

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London-based fitness chain Virgin Active is expanding from a gym company to a wholesale “combined fitness and nutrition” operation. To do so, the company has made two major moves: a capital raise and an acquisition. 

The capital raise totaling $118 million included retail billionaire Christo Wiese — who contributed $65.6 million to the effort — as well as the owners of Real Foods Group, who gave $23.8 million.

Virgin Active also acquired the “nutrition assets” of Real Foods for $35.1 million. 

• The brands acquired include Kauai and NU restaurants.
• Real Foods Group CEO, Dean Kowarski will also assume the role as Virgin Active’s CEO. 

The acquisition isn’t final, however, and still has to meet regulators’ approval.

Post-Pandemic Rebound

Virgin Active, which is owned by Virgin Group Ltd and the private equity firm Brait SE, is bouncing back after major financial problems during the pandemic.

The company saw many gyms close in South Africa and the U.K., all while rent costs piled up. It went through a restructure in May 2021 following the losses. 

Now, Virgin Active hopes to use pandemic-induced changes to consumer habits as a selling point. “The pandemic has accelerated people’s appetite to lead a healthier lifestyle,” the company said in a statement.

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