Michael Olander

BY LOUIS MARROQUIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLES HARRIS

Downtown Clubs of Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C.

Member since: 2006

Who he is: Ten years ago, as a 20-year-old college student, he opened a 9,000-square-foot "glorified personal training studio in a shopping center basement." Now he's president and CEO of O2 Fitness, a successful chain of 10 North Carolina health clubs, averaging 30,000 square feet each.

What makes them special? "Every club has its own personality. We have an open feeling where people can take in the environment and feel the energy of everyone around them."

Why fitness? "Fitness changed my life. I was overweight as a child and began working out with a personal trainer when I was in my teens."

Fitness philosophy: Olander says fitness should be an integral part of your day, not an afterthought. "It's something you say, 'I'm going to make time for this every day.' And then it becomes a habit, and then it becomes enjoyable."

Coming up: The clubs will focus more on small-group training, such as boot camps, this year. Also look for a second Wilmington location to open by the fourth quarter.