Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Kodsi.
Hi Isaac, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My professional life has been turned upside down in the past few years. Prior to me starting Shake and making a major career change, I was a real estate attorney in Florida for close to 30 years. I dealt with all matters when I was a lawyer. I’ve represented buyers and sellers in purchasing a home to major developers rezoning and constructing multimillion dollar projects. During my career, I also ventured into the real estate arena. I was directly involved in a few real estate projects both as the general partner and as a limited partner. I also financed and helped developers source both capital and debt for their projects. When the recession occurred, I pivoted and purchased non-performing loans and worked out the assets and repositioned them. Then Shake happened and my whole professional life changed on the spot. It happened just like in the movies a very strong feeling sort of an epiphany and I was shown my purpose and that I had to create Shake and bring it to the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When you start a new business, it’s never a smooth road. Especially when you’re developing and creating something new and never done before. I wouldn’t describe the process as a struggle as much as the steps every entrepreneur has to take to succeed. Even if you read books and watch Youtube videos on how to start a business, it’s not that simple and straightforward. The challenge is how do you take your vision that’s in your head and present it in a way that is relatable and connects with the public. Perhaps my biggest struggle in my case wasn’t choosing a name and a logo or perfecting the exercises but more so the emotional rollercoaster of being an entrepreneur. Even if you know all of the steps and you’re warned of the ups and downs, you are still alone in your journey. You never stop questioning yourself from am I making the right choice in my life to is that a nice color for my logo.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Shake started in my backyard on my kid’s trampoline. I injured my knee which required orthoscopic surgery. I expected a quick recovery which didn’t happen. I realized that in addition to once a week physical therapy, I needed to do something at home to keep my knee active without putting added strain on it. It was clear that if I didn’t do something – my knee was going to become a nagging chronic injury. I tried everything to help heal my knee – in addition to physical therapy – I got massages for my leg, tried different kinds of knee braces, went to see other doctors for second opinions and even tried injections into my knee. Unfortunately, none of it worked and I was basically told “it is what it is”. It happened on a random Saturday afternoon. I went to layout in my backyard but I was so uncomfortable I couldn’t even relax and read a book. I tried to stretch but that didn’t help. As I was in a downward dog, I saw from the corner of my eye my kid’s trampoline and thought what the heck I’ve tried everything else what do I have to lose. I hoped that the bouncing would make me feel better. Just imagine seeing a 55 years old 6’8” man pulsating and bouncing on a trampoline. Surprisingly, not only did the knee feel better, almost immediately, I felt better – better than good – amazing. The fun on the trampoline totally revitalized my body – for the first time in months, my body felt loose and relaxed. It also took away the stress from my mind – my mood went from “fine” to off the charts “positive”.
I knew right away that a trampoline workout was a game-changer that needed to be developed and brought to market.
Finally, after several years of developing and testing, I opened up in the middle of the Pandemic. Where you ask? In my backyard of course. Today we have six trampolines and offer classes in the morning and evening. The classes’ intent is to achieve an upbeat, positive mood through physical movement. If you feel low energy come and we will pump and energize you. If you had one of those annoying days, we have a class to help you unwind and reset. Simultaneously, these classes will help you get stronger and flexible plus improve your balance, coordination and stamina.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
A few years ago, I went to go see Jerry Seinfeld in his standup comedy show and he was making fun of the saying “ it is what it is” and how it’s used and how people use it when they have nothing else left to say. But at the end of the skit he said “it is what it is until it isn’t”. That statement stuck with me and got me thinking. The statement “it is what it is” basically means that you’re in a situation that you believe can’t be changed and you just have to accept your fate and succumb to the outcome. But when you add “until it isn’t” it takes away that sense of finality and gives you back hope. If you have hope then you can believe that things can change and improve. Hope is the biggest motivator. When you believe deep inside that, you can achieve something you’re more motivated and determined to accomplish your goal. Words turn into action. Hope is the emotional energy that helps lift you out of your rut and gets you on track to live the life you always desired.
All it takes is someone to create and change the status quo and provide something that better serves the community. As I look at Shake and explain it to people, I tell them that the fitness industry is lacking and doesn’t serve the entire market properly. A very limited amount of the population actually works out the rest have excuses for not exercising and are out of shape. Unfortunately, messaging today is focused on people being overweight but that’s not actually the real problem. Being out of shape is the real issue. The problem is our existing methods of working out are based on someone being in shape and looking to improve their skills even more. But most people have some sort of limitation whether physically or just simply time to devote to exercising. It’s more about form than substance and that mindset has to be changed. Shake breaks that mold of “it is what it is” because Shake isn’t your typical workout. The biggest benefit of training on a trampoline is that you become weightless and you are not limited by gravity. By defying gravity, you are able to perform more right away regardless of what shape you’re in. It can be performed by more people and it makes complete common sense. It provides all of the benefits that any exercise regimen provides but without all of the pain and discomfort that working out entails. Less effort for better results. Plus, it’s actually so much fun you want to keep coming back for more.
Pricing:
- $25 for drop in 1 class
- $75 package for 3 classes plus 1 free
- $200 package for 10 classes
- $175 unlimited monthly package
Contact Info:
- Email: isaac@shakeall.com
- Website: www.shakeall.com
- Instagram: @shake.backyard
- Facebook: Shake backyard
