Hey everyone! My name is Josh Francisco. I am the owner of River City Fitness Center and a trainer for the Old 97 CrossFit classes. I thought it would be nice to have a chance to tell you a little more about the myself and the gym.
Some quick stuff about me and my life: Besides fitness, I have a passion for music and I have been playing guitar since the age of 8. Over the years I have played in a few bands and toured a handful of times. To name a few, Blood Ritual from Greensboro NC, Outsider, Red Vision, and Downfall from Richmond VA, and Dead Heat from California (only as a fill-in guitarist, but they are my brothers nonetheless!). From touring the west coast to as far as Europe, I live for the opportunity to play live music and spend days on end with my bandmates, who I consider to be closer to me than most family. I cherish every single second with those guys.
On the topic of my loved ones, some of you may know my immediate family who have been a great help in this endeavor; my dad, Terry Francisco, my mom, Sherri Francisco, my brother, Austin Francisco (who basically created this website for me!), and my girlfriend Caroline Turner, who you will see coaching some CrossFit classes here at Old 97 CrossFit. I’d like to thank them for all of their help in making my dream a reality.
I have lived in Danville my entire life and I have a strong passion for this city and its people. I went to Sacred Heart all the way until 8th grade, then attended Galileo High School. I spent two years at Danville Community College to get my Associate of Science degree, then I went to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond for a semester because I thought I had to “get out” of Danville in order for myself to grow.
After one semester, I realized that the “college experience” and the big city were not for me. I missed the relaxed feeling of a small town. I found myself literally sighing a breath of relief as soon as I entered the Danville city limits. I had planned on obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science then opening a gym in the Richmond area. I realized that I kept looking for small towns outside of Richmond that were similar to Danville. It took me some time, but I found that everything I was looking for was right here at home: my extremely supportive gym family, a perfect location, and a chance to be a part of my hometown’s growth. I moved back home and I am finishing my degree online through Bryan University in Professional Fitness Training and Exercise Science.
Luckily enough, things worked out perfectly. The owner of the gym that I was attending, Wes Spivey, trusted me to take the reigns and sold me the gym. I am forever grateful for this and Wes will always be a mentor and friend. Without him, I would have never considered owning a gym.
At River City Fitness Center, my goal is to provide a fun, positive, family-like experience. Not only do I want to be able to help you become physically and mentally more fit, I want you to be able to make new friends and connections that will last a lifetime. You will notice that we are a family affair. I know that I have been able to meet so many great people through fitness and I hope to meet many more. I appreciate your interest in the gym and I hope we can help you not only reach your goals, but also find a new community of genuinely awesome people. See you at the Grand Opening on October 1st!