In this episode of Business Is Hard, Trevor sits down with Ron Partlow, former pro bodybuilder, coach, gym owner, and co-founder of West Coast Iron. Ron shares his journey from accidentally launching a coaching business in the early 2000s to building one of BC’s most respected independent gyms.
They talk about what it really takes to grow a grassroots brand, how Ron leveraged authenticity over advertising, and the lessons learned from the early days at Mutant, where he helped shape a new model for fitness marketing.
Ron also opens up about the challenges of gym ownership during COVID, the decision not to over-expand, and why chasing happiness — not just growth — drives his business mindset today. It’s a conversation about loyalty, identity, risk, and self-awareness as a founder.
Whether you're in fitness, retail, or building from scratch, Ron's story is for you.
Find Ron:
https://bigronpartlow.com/
https://westcoastirononline.com/team/ron-partlow/
Trevor Koot hosted this episode. Alex Harris produced and edited the show.
Find Business is Fcking Hard on social media and our website: https://linktr.ee/businessisfckinghard
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Thanks for listening! See you next time!
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