[If you've visited Tempest Freerunning Academy lately, you've seen the scope and scale of what goes on at our gym. Each week, hundreds of athletes come to work, train and play, and there are a lot of people behind the scenes who make each day at The Academy successful. It's an important team, and we want to start introducing you to the people who make it all happen.]
If you haven’t met the gent who heads up The Academy’s operations, Heath Hensley (pictured here with the cat ears on!), here’s a bit more about the kind soul who helps make your freerunning dreams come true.
How’d you get connected with Tempest?
I went to college with Gabe Nunez [pictured on the right] and I’ve known him about 12 or 13 years. We used to run around the campus and climb up and jump off things. Later, I moved to Nashville and did the singing thing [check out Heath's music here], but I always kept up with Gabe. I followed Tempest and supported them from Nashville, promoted them at all my shows. I always asked if there were ways I could help out with the team, and he told me they had this idea to build a gym. I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
Did you ever think you’d be running a freerunning gym?
Never in my life, in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined that I’d be running a freerunning gym.
What’s it like getting to do your job?
It’s just great. I love working with kids, and I’m very passionate about helping them. It’s near and dear to my heart. I grew up coaching football, baseball, basketball, all the traditional sports, as well as giving music lessons. At one point I was an asst. youth director at my church. Now, every day I get to, go to a “playground” for work, and help young people.
What’s one of the best parts of managing The Academy?
Watching everyone progress in their skills is definitely the best. Athletes come in, and they’re green, and they don’t know how to do anything. But now, we’ve got kids wowing us left and right. Also, working with close friends and people I consider my family is amazing. I couldn’t ask for more.
