07/27
V1 Community Highlight: Zac Walker of CAZ Training Club
“We set out to create an energy-filled workout experience,” explains Zac Walker, co-founder of CAZ Training Club, the incredibly popular HIIT workout studio in Newport Beach, CA that gives back to a different health-related cause every quarter. Zac founded the studio with two of his college buddies, motivated to make an impact after learning of increasing obesity rates and related healthcare costs. “Giving people a place to impact their own health seemed to be a logical solution,” he explains. Making a difference—and staying active. Sounds like our kind of scene. Read on for more insights from the Orange County-based newlywed, who shares that it's the people in his life that keep him inspired, including the “amazing community of people who show up every day” to work up a sweat at CAZ.
What sparked the inspiration to launch CAZ Training Club?
CAZ came about as a result of wanting a workout experience that had the capability of impacting the health of others. After attending college together, Connor, Anthony, and I went our separate ways post-grad. Connor worked in corporate finance, Anthony worked in banking, and I worked for the founder of Kinko’s in Santa Barbara. Independently, the three of us all grew passionate about fitness and decided to come together to explore starting a business within the industry.
Alarmed by exploding obesity rates and related health care costs of $480 billion in 2016… giving back to health-focused charities while giving people a place to impact their own health seemed to be a logical solution. With a purpose-driven company in mind, we set out to create an energy-filled workout experience. After a year of working on the idea and building out the space, CAZ came to life!
Why do you do what you do?
We do what we do because we have an amazing community of people who show up every day to live a healthy and active lifestyle. They show up for their personal health and also to encourage, support, and inspire the rest of the CAZ community. The CAZ Crew is united by movement, positivity, and a willingness to show up for more than just themselves and those are the types of people we love to surround ourselves with!
Tell us why you love the Course Run Short?
The main reason I love the Course Run Short is because I choose to wear clothes of brands that I am proud to be associated with. Vuori has amazing quality clothing, but far more importantly, Vuori is a brand that represents being a good person. Vuori invests in relationships with their employees and always hires amazing people. They invest in local communities and choose to work with and highlight small local brands like CAZ, and they are a brand that cares about doing good not just for the bottom line, but for the environment and their customers. Vuori stands for more than just high-quality clothing and it is a brand I am proud to be linked with when I wear it.
How do you invest in happiness?
I invest in happiness by investing in people that make me happy. I love my wife, my family, my friends, and the people that come into CAZ every day. Whether I’m taking a class, eating amazing food, or traveling—if I’m with the amazing people in my life, then I am investing in my happiness.
What are some eco-happier habits that you do?
I drive an electric car, always reuse grocery bags, and of course use a Vuori refillable water bottle.
What's your favorite music or song?
If I’m teaching, I love any good EDM remix “Where You Are” by John Summit remixed by GRiz is my favorite right now. If I’m at home, I love FKJ radio.
Favorite book or podcast?
How to Win Friends and Influence People is a classic that everybody should read at least once.
What are you currently watching?
Naked & Afraid: Last One Standing! I am baffled that people have such incredible survival skills and it’s so interesting to see how far we’ve come in such a short period of time as humans. We are so fortunate to have houses, grocery stores, etc.
Favorite drink?
Nothing beats a stiff Nosotros Tequila Reposado Old Fashioned.
Favorite snacks to refuel your body?
Trader Joe’s broccoli is always the move.
If you’re as inspired by Zac’s story as we are, sign up through CAZ training club to join a class here.