Member Profile
Owner Brian Whelan .
Brian Whelan
Owner Foothill Gym, Fitness & Aerobics
Personal Trainer
Ph: (626) 303.7667 Email: brian@foothillgym.com
Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Brian moved to California late 1990 and joined Foothill Gym at it's former location on the corner of Foothill Blvd and Fifth Avenue. It was there he met his friend and mentor IFBB Professional Bodybuilder Hans Hopstaken. Hans took Brian under his wing and showed him how to train and all the aspects of nutrition for both weight loss and weight gain.
At that time Brian was a Senior Account Executive for L.A. Cellular and later a Senior Data Specialist for SBC / Pacific Bell. His business savvy led him to become the #1 executive and received the Top Gun Award for being the top executive in the nation for all of Bell South / AT&T properties. A closet full of Awards later Brian decided to merge his business experience with his passion, fitness. In 1996 he purchased a near bankrupt Laguna Health Club in Laguna Beach California and within two years he turned it into a thriving business. During his ownership of Laguna Health Club Brian continued to train at Foothill Gym and represent it at contests winning the 1999 Mr. Las Vegas Title and the 1998, 1999 & 2001 Venice Beach Heavyweight crown.
1999 Mr. Las Vegas 1998 Venice Beach 1st Show 1993
For years Brian had joked with his long time friend Hans Hopstaken about owning Foothill Gym.
"I first realized that I truly wanted to own Foothill Gym back in 1993" It was late 1998 when I realized that Hans wasn't joking and was seriously considering selling the gym. Brian sold Laguna Health Club and realized his dream of owning Foothill Gym February 1, 1999.
" I still remember my first night as owner, it was after closing time and the gym was empty, years of hard work and determination had lead my dream to become reality"
In May 2000 Brian moved Foothill Gym to it's present and much larger location on Myrtle Avenue. "It allowed us to expand in the prime location of Downtown Monrovia and provide all the services of a state of the art health club including a full group exercise program, child care, cardio stations, tanning, juice bar and much more" Since then Foothill Gym has gone from strength to strength.
On October 4, 2000, a mere four months after opening day at the new location, Brian suffered a terrible accident in which both legs were crushed, broken in 21 places. Unsure whether to amputate the right leg or not, Dr's at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia operated. Eleven days later Brian was released from hospital, wheelchair bound for over a year, but both legs saved. Four days after being released, just over two weeks since the accident, Brian returned to work at Foothill Gym. He continued with his plans to compete and in May 2001 Brian won the Heavyweight crown at Venice Beach for the third time, this time however, he was competing in a wheelchair against able bodied competitors, the first person in history to do so. In February 2002 Brian began the long road from wheelchair to walker to crutches to full recovery. Dr's were amazed at his recuperative abilities which he credits to his exercise and nutritional expertise. Brian was featured in a full page article in IronMan Magazine (below)
and in the newspapers (below)
Taking the Heavyweight Crown, Venice Beach 2001.
In 2001 Foothill Gym was Awarded the "Firm Award" which is given each year to the best renovation of a business building in Monrovia and Brian was featured in the Mountain Views newspaper as “2001 All Star Businessman”
In 2002 Brian was elected to the Board of Directors for the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce. And was againn reelected for another two year term in 2004. Serving on the Board from 2002 - 2006.
Foothill Gym was chosen as one of the "Top Five Health Clubs in L.A." by the TV show L.A's Best .
Brian dedicates himself to three main values for Foothill Gym; to provide the highest level of service to our members, to create a positive and friendly work environment and to be a part of the community through involvement with community issues.
Foothill Gym continues it's community involvement by sponsoring two AYSO soccer teams, providing free summer camp for handicapped children and raising over $1,000.00 for the 9/11 City of Monrovia relief fund through sales of it's T-shirts.
Each Christmas since 1999 Foothill Gym has collected toys for local children in need through the "Foothill Gym Angel Project", to date over 1,000 toys have been donated to Foothill Unity Center. And is involved with donating to women's shelters and the prevention of domestic violence against women and children.
To date Brian has given 126 lifetime memberships to Monrovians who were serving in the war on terrorism, each membership card bearing the Blue Star along with the following letter:
"As we keep the memory of 9/11 in our hearts and minds it is important that we never forget those who gave their lives, their loved ones left behind, and you. For it is you who defends our nation and enable us to retain our freedoms and the freedoms of our children.
From a small business in the City of Monrovia, we would like to show our support to you and all Monrovians serving our nation and say thank you to you by adding our services to the Blue Star program. We extend to you, a lifetime “Blue Star” membership to Foothill Gym.
We wish you to know the level of our gratitude and our never-ending, never fading support.
And we look forward to your safe return".
Brian Whelan
Foothill Gym, Fitness & Aerobics
In January 2003, Brian was the recipient of the "2003 Monroe Award - Business Person of The Year" for outstanding service to the community, presented by the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and the City of Monrovia
Brian has also received a " Certificate of Recognition from the United States Congress" by Congressman David Drier .
"Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate" by Senator Bob Margett .
"Commendation from the County of Los Angeles" by Supervisor Michael Antonavich .
"Certificate of Recognition from the California Legislature" by Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy
Brian was awarded the "California 2003 Business Person of the Year" by the National Congressional Committee by Congressman Tom Reynolds
Brian has been a member of MENSA since 1990, a member of the National Physique Committee (N.P.C.) since 1993 and a member IHRSA (International Health, Racquet and Sports club Association) since 1999.
Brian also serves on the Oversight Committee for Downtown Monrovia.
The National Congressional Committee named Brian Whelan to the Chairman's Honor Roll . Brian's name will be displayed on the honor roll in Washington D.C. Brian also qualifies to receive the Congressional Committee's highest honor, the prestigious Gold Medal to be presented at a special awards ceremony in the Nation's Capital.
In May 2004 Brian was appointed by the Mayor of Monrovia to the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board and in June 2008 Brian was appointed Chairman of the Board for a two year term and in 2010 he was been reappointed for another two year term and currently serves as Chairman of the Board
Brian has also been featured in numerous newspapers and on television.
June 26th 2010 at the West Coast Classic in El Monte, California, Brian was presented with the Hans Hopstaken Award for Most Inspirational Bodybuilder.
Brian also won 3rd place in the Heavyweight Division and 4th in the Masters (40+). This was Brians first time competeing since the wheelchair almost 9 years ago
8 days later Brian hit the stage once again. This time at the legendary Muscle Breach in Venice, Ca for the annual 4th of July Mr and Ms Muscle Beach Contest. Brian took 2nd in the Masters and 4th in the Heavyweight and along with his wife, Jennifer, took home top honors by winning 1st place in the couples class to be the 2010 Mr and Ms Muscle Beach.