Andrew Elarde
Co-founder of Project Atlas
My journey in fitness began at a young age. What started as a personal interest in health and wellness eventually became something much greater: a purpose that helped guide me through a difficult period in my life and shaped the direction of my future.
Throughout my teenage years, I was frequently asked how I achieved my results in the gym. Those conversations naturally led me to begin informally training my peers, helping them develop workout routines, improve their exercise technique, and build a better understanding of fitness. What began as an opportunity to help those around me gradually developed into a genuine passion for coaching and personal training.
I continued pursuing this passion alongside my work as a supervisor at an amusement park. Shortly after turning 18, I joined the commercial fitness industry. Within my first two months, I earned my certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and began professionally training clients.
From there, I quickly established a growing personal training business, generating more than $15,000 in monthly revenue. I built my business around more than short-term results. My focus was on creating a strong foundation for sustainable progress, helping clients develop the knowledge, habits, and confidence necessary to maintain their results and establish lasting lifestyle changes. Through this approach, I achieved 100% client retention.
The Vision Behind Project Atlas
Project Atlas was initially founded with one ambitious goal: to create the best gym in the nation. Over time, that vision evolved into something much bigger. I wanted to combine the standards and ambition behind that original goal with a new perspective on how health and wellness could be delivered: effortlessly, accessibly, and without unnecessary barriers.
I took on the development of Atlas's online presence because I believe our mission should never be limited to a single storefront or physical location. The opportunity to make a meaningful impact extends far beyond the walls of a traditional gym, and our platform allows us to pursue that opportunity on a much larger scale.
As we continue developing Project Atlas, our foundation remains rooted in one belief: health and wellness should be a right, not a privilege. Access to fitness should not be determined by someone's financial circumstances, available time, or proximity to a gym.
I'm excited to continue building a new approach to fitness, one that challenges traditional expectations and makes health and wellness more approachable, sustainable, and accessible to everyone.
Saquib Abrar
Co-founder of Project Atlas
Growing up on a military base, fitness and physical activity were an integral part of my life. My passion for exercise, movement, and the opportunities that an active lifestyle creates ultimately led me to pursue a career in the military.
Following my military service, I transitioned into Amazon's Operations team, where I developed experience in large-scale operations and organizational leadership. I later entered the startup ecosystem, leading operations for companies at various stages of growth, including a Y Combinator-backed startup.
My professional journey eventually brought me to 24 Hour Fitness, where I had the opportunity to oversee one of the company's flagship locations in Sunnyvale. Throughout these experiences, I developed a unique perspective on leadership, operational efficiency, business development, and the fitness industry.
These experiences led me to a central question:
How could I bring all of these disciplines together to make health and fitness more accessible to everyone?
That question became the foundation for Project Atlas. Our vision is to combine accessible, equipment-minimal workouts, innovative technology, and a passionate community of fitness professionals to make quality health and wellness resources available to anyone, anywhere. By leveraging the power of the internet, we aim to remove traditional barriers to fitness and create an experience that makes living a healthier lifestyle more achievable, sustainable, and accessible.