Meet Nabil Mardin and Andre Saabi: Indoor Cycling & Strength Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nabil Mardini and Andre Saab and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nabil & Andre, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson I learned is that there is no substitute nor short cuts for hard work. People who have a work ethic that is second to none, along with an obsessive passion (is what I call it) to be the best they can be, will always have more opportunities in the big game of life.

Second, never be satisfied with and to always be hungry and driven. Stagnation is the enemy of progress. Good is also the enemy of great.

Third, building relationships is the single most important building block of any family, company, corporation, etc.

Fourth, there is no question about it that one learns from winning. However, one learns a book from failing/losing.

Fifth, small job or big job, one must do it right.

Last, and I will quote John Wooden: “Don’t let making a living preventing from making a life.”

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us apart is the non-corporate approach to doing business and creating a family-feel-like atmosphere.

The goal is to turn a routine fitness session into the highlight of every day and transform into the way one lives. We believe in creating a community where our members share, support, and celebrate the same active lifestyle. And, we accomplish that by focusing on building long-lasting relationships. One thing to accomplish milestones and reach success, but it will be short lived if it weren’t for the relationships we build with our family members.

Last but not least, we want to make sure everyone feels included. Whether you’re training for a marathon, want to simply be fit, lose weight, need to unwind after a long workday, or simply enjoy sweating while listening to music.

We opened the business in August of 2017 and the road has been full of challenges and obstacles. We survived two fires including the Malibu fires where flames were 40 feet away from our entrance door, and recently, the pandemic that impacted all our lives and many businesses in general and our fitness industry in particular.

What we learned is to become resilient and persevere. Always looking for ways to be 1% better every day and serve the community.

We want the world to know that Dig Cycle and Strength is not simply a gym where one shows up, gets a workout in, and off with their day. We want our story and brand to be inspirational.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I have a friend visit for one week, I will do the following:

1. Take them up the Coast to Northern California for a three-day trip to San Francisco.

2. Come back to LA. My favorite Italian Restaurant is Fritto Misto in Santa Monica. Favoriute Lebanese is Mantee in Studio City.

3. Spend a day in Santa Barbara and eat at Zaytoon

4. Universal Studio is a must see. It is a good representation of LA and the film industry.

Here you go 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The person who deserves credit is my own mentor, Turhan Douglas. The owner of the fitness app Turbofit. It it weren’t for Turhan, I would not have pursued my passion of coaching.

Website: digcycle.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digcycle/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigCycle

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dig-cycle-and-strength-calabasas

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs-iOMEuqDRHc33_iU-1CxQ