My name is Steve Campbell, and I’m the founder of Charge Fitness. Born on Vancouver Island, I lived in Victoria until I was 14 years old. Fitness has been a passion of mine since I was 13, and this is the story of how Charge Fitness came to be.
Growing up, life wasn’t always easy. My mom remarried a man in the military who didn’t exactly take to having kids around, and home wasn’t always a welcoming place. I wanted to get big and strong—not just physically, but emotionally, too. The gym became my escape, a place where I could grow and feel empowered. Over time, my relationship with my stepfather improved, but those early challenges shaped my love for fitness.
When I graduated high school in Parksville, BC, I dreamed of opening my own gym, but I lacked the experience and money to make it happen. So, I made the tough decision to move to Alberta to save up and gain more life experience. It was supposed to be a short stint, but like many, I found myself caught in the “golden handcuffs” of a steady, well-paying job. For 18 years, I worked long shifts as a heavy equipment technician all over North America. Although the work provided financial security, it didn’t fulfill me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant to do something different, something that helped others.
One day, I was working in Louisiana, listening to the conversations around me, and I realized I couldn’t keep going down this path. I needed a change. During my next time off, I decided to visit a friend, Craig, in Cabo San Lucas, hoping to find some inspiration.
While walking along the beach, I came across a place called E-Fit Cabos, an EMS (electro-muscle stimulation) studio. Intrigued, I signed up for a session. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what EMS was, but I was excited to try it. After my session, I felt something click. I thought, “Why isn’t this in Canada?” My muscles were sore, but in a good way, and I could feel a spark reigniting in me. EMS training felt like the answer to help people reach their fitness goals—and the path that could lead me out of a career that no longer inspired me.
Less than a year after that first EMS session, I was back in Victoria, where my journey had started. I found a commercial space, renovated it to include two showers, became a certified personal and EMS trainer, hired three staff, and incorporated my business. In February 2018, Charge Fitness opened its doors.
Since then, I’ve been incredibly grateful for this journey. I’ve met amazing people, faced many challenges, and had the privilege of helping people become better versions of themselves through fitness, nutrition, and laughter.
I started Charge Fitness to make a difference, and I’m excited to continue this journey with my clients and community, thank you.
– Steve Campbell