Meet Jake Bosse and Tony Hajjar of Drive Custom Fit in North Shore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Bosse and Tony Hajjar.

Jake, Tony, please introduce yourselves to our readers.  Walk us through how you got to where you guys are at today.

WE ARE DRIVEN TO INSPIRE!

Our goal is to ignite the fire that’s inside each and every one of us. To fan the flame of our guest’s inner drive and help them develop strong, healthy bodies and clear, expansive minds. Co-Founders Jake Bosse and Tony Hajjar are fitness enthusiasts, and together we promote improvement and inspire greatness in our community. We created Drive Custom Fit in the late summer of 2015, along with the support of a local entrepreneur, Joe Faro to deliver an innovative experience leading to a healthy lifestyle. Our personalized approach is changing the fitness game because we believe that true fitness can inspire positive life change — and ignite the fire inside.

The results are certainly there when it comes to weight loss, weight management and building sustainable lifestyles that allow our members to live their healthiest lives, but there is more to it. We feel that much of our success as a business, is relative to our desire to want to know the stories of our people personally… their stories and their goals. We want to understand how we can help them reach those goals far beyond shedding a few pounds. We have created a space where people from all walks of life can come together for a common goal, as well as an individual. Police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, business owners, homemakers, doctors, attorneys, former and current professional athletes, students and bartenders, servers… so many people, so many great stories of success.

Drive loves to bring these people together daily, but we also love to bring them together for the community. Drive for Cure is one of our favorite things about creating Drive. This is our opportunity to give back. We have raised tens of thousands for many causes such as Pediatric Brain Cancer Research (Cure ATRT Now Fund – Jake sits on the Board of Directors) more than $15,000 over the past three years; Breast Cancer Research Foundation, $10,000 in October 2017 and $8,000 in 2016; many contributions to Salem Boys and Girls Club, Salem High School, St. Joseph’s, Lazarus House Ministries, Sneakers for SCAD, Division of Children and Families and a weight room donation of $80,000 in exercise equipment to Central Catholic High School in 2016. We are passionate about helping others any chance we get.

We have worked with the inner city youth to help them understand the importance of leadership and enrichment. Speaking engagements and athletic programs serve as a platform for us to deliver the message. We have found success here as we are now contracted by many schools to run enrichment and leadership programs from elementary to high school.

We pride ourselves on culture in the workplace. We love our people and strongly believe without them, Drive would not be where it is today. They come in to open the gym while the rest of the world rests. They are prepared and motivated and truly want betterment for all that come through our doors. Our people have also had many accomplishments of their own. Many of Salem High School’s best athletes and scholars are part of our team, a former Miss New Hampshire, prominent athletes and many more committed to helping people in any way possible.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In business, there are always speed bumps and roadblocks. Some of our obstacles are showing our members that sometimes stepping outside the comfort zone will allow them to truly find what they are looking for personally, both physically and emotionally. Any time there is innovation or industry change, in any vertical, there is education to the why. Why are we creating this fitness experience, as it is not a traditional “key card swipe” standard box gym approach? It’s a completely different and innovative experience and a methodology seldom implemented. At Drive, we want to understand each and every individual that walks through our doors. That in itself has challenges as people are not always open to share their goals and dreams, however as they begin the Drive experience, they begin to trust the process and once they do, they are willing to share. That is where the true success of our facility begins.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Drive Custom Fit – what should we know?
Life-changing results!

In our minds, gone are the days where you enter into a cold box gym, scan your key tag with little human interaction and stare with confusion at hundreds of pieces of equipment with no direction, guidance or energy.

Meet Jake, Tony and Drive Custom Fit! Customized, fitness programs designed to invigorate your energy, deliver sustainable healthy lifestyles and enjoy a fun-filled community, clean and kept the facility and knowledgeable friendly staff.

Over the past several years and dating back to our beginning, we have seen weight loss, improved medical conditions, helped those recovering from substance abuse or other related sickness and just the everyday person wanting to live better and stronger. Every day a new person enters with a goal and we take the goal to heart and deliver every a bit of energy we have to see it met. Paul Castro, a longtime member losing over 100 pounds over the age of 60. Isis Diaz, losing over 100 pounds and now feeling better and more confident as she attends her first year of college. Training Division 1 athletes such as Max Faro and Kelly Raymond, heading to Ivy League Brown University, Dom Keegan on a full scholarship to Vanderbilt. Many who were just lost and now found something to get up every day for. People in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s who have never felt better, feel stronger and healthier in all their lives! Families together and building strong new bonds and strengthening relationships at Drive. WE LOVE DRIVE and ALL OUR PEOPLE!

So, how do we do it physically? Our custom-made signature workouts burn calories — and create life-changing results. We use a groundbreaking approach to improve your cardiovascular system, build muscle, burn fat, and lose weight. Drive Custom Fit uses interval cardiovascular training, strength training with free weights, resistance bands, medicine balls, and other equipment to get results for everyone from beginners to experienced athletes.

Our trainers motivate and help provide the mutual accountability necessary for true growth. They can help you create a game plan — and provide an environment — that drives you to achieve your personal fitness goals. They’ll change things up to keep it fresh and continue to challenge your body and mind in new ways.

Drive Custom Fit’s yoga program is not your typical gym yoga. Heated Power Yoga and Deep Stretch Yoga are designed to invigorate and provide powerful ways for you to move your body. This flow delivers strength, balance, and flexibility, and promotes mental toughness not only in your yoga practice — but to help you lead your greatest life. Yoga for the Modern Athlete complements existing fitness programs with a flow designed to prevent injuries and increase motivation.

Our EliteZ programs offer customized sports training for all ages, abilities and fitness goals. The sessions can be 1v1, small group, a program designed for a team or athletic program, or part of an existing membership program. The customized classes focus on movement, strength, and flexibility. Drive Custom Fit’s EliteZ programs to deliver leadership and enrichment skills, confidence boosting, sportsmanship, discipline and more to help athletes achieve their highest potential.

One of my favorite things about Drive is family. I see so many families find a home at Drive… husbands and wives together improving health and eating habits. Their kids working with our coaches in our athletic performance programs, DriveFit Kids program, our child watch room, YogaKids and many college students taking advantage of our student membership offerings. A place where the family can spend true quality time together.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The community bond and connection that happens in the walls at Drive. Jake and Tony want nothing more than to understand our members, going out of our way to ensure we have that connection with each person that enters into the building. This is contagious with our staff as well as our members. They are always helping each other out, both in the gym and beyond.

Contact Info:

• Address: 23 S Broadway, Salem, NH 03079
• Website: www.drivecustomfit.com
• Phone: 603-824-6804
• Email: info@drivecustomfit.com
• Instagram: @drivecustomfit
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/drivecustomfit
• Twitter: @drivecustomfit

Image Credit:
Jake Bosse / Tony Hajjar

Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.