Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eddy Bucardo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Eddy, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I believe I got my work ethic from watching my parents work tooth and nail as immigrants in Canada. They gave my sister and me a life that was better than their own, but they never took challenges off our plates. They wanted us to learn the lessons needed to become competent, disciplined, and goal-driven adults. I always admired how hard they worked and wanted to make them proud by putting myself in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations, places where I had to adapt and think on my feet. We didn’t grow up with much, so we learned early on not to take anything for granted.
When I was introduced to sports at an early age, it taught me the value of consistent and intentional work. I realized that talent can only take you so far; without discipline and the mental fortitude to push through difficult times, talent alone will fade. Those traits have shaped who I am today. Starting and running my business, especially launching it a year before the pandemic, required every ounce of discipline, resilience, and perspective I learned from my parents and through sports. Without those lessons and role models, I don’t think we would have made it through.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I studied kinesiology and exercise physiology because I’ve always loved sports and the science behind improving athletic performance. I’ve been fascinated not just by how to make someone faster or stronger, but by the details that keep the body healthy, injury prevention, rehabilitation and long-term performance. Early in my career, I worked in a facility that housed both a clinic and a gym, but I noticed how disconnected the two worlds were. That experience inspired me to build a brand and practice that seamlessly combine performance training and rehabilitation.
Growing up on the west end of Toronto and later moving downtown, I saw a clear difference between the communities I came from and the ones I was serving. In the downtown fitness and wellness industry, there was a visible lack of Black and racialized folks, not just among clients, but in leadership and ownership. I wanted to change that.
After creating the Unchained brand in 2014, I decided to make it more than just a gym. I wanted Unchained to be a hub, a place where people could find community and belonging, not just a facility to train in. My first business partner and I focused intentionally on serving marginalized groups in the city who lacked access to quality fitness and wellness education. We worked with organizations supporting youth, women, and underrepresented communities to make wellness more accessible and empowering.
In 2018, we officially incorporated Unchained Athletics. After four years of renting spaces across the city, we finally secured our first lease at Toronto’s Stackt Market in late 2019. That space became our creative home , a mix of art, music, movement, and community called “The Krate by Unchained Athletics.” We opened our doors during one of the hardest times for small businesses, but we turned that challenge into opportunity. We invited artists, trainers, and entrepreneurs to use our space to grow, collaborate, and express themselves.
During the pandemic, our commitment to community led to a partnership with PUMA North America, who recognized the impact of our work. That partnership gave us the foundation to open our first permanent brick-and-mortar space , the Unchained Athletics home we have today.
Our team is made up of highly educated coaches who specialize in movement education, injury prevention, and performance training. Every class we run is intentional, serving as an extension of proper programming and a gateway for those who can’t access one-on-one training. We also operate a clinic within the gym, where our athletic therapist supports members dealing with pain or injuries ensuring their long-term health and progress.
In an era where technology is creating more disconnection than ever, we focus on bringing people together through movement, community, and shared experience. Beyond our gym walls, we’ve hosted numerous outdoor events and recently launched our first Unchained Wellness Retreat in Collingwood, where attendees reconnected with their physical, mental, and emotional well-being away from city distractions.
We see a growing gap in the fitness industry , one that big-box gyms and high-capacity studios can’t fill. Real connection can’t be mass-produced. Spaces like ours, built from the ground up by community and bootstrapped resources, represent the future of health and wellness.
The biggest challenge we continue to face is access to capital. We’ve stayed away from venture funding to protect our vision, but finding grants and financial support for community-centered businesses like ours remains difficult. It’s one thing to have a dream and a community that believes in it but turning that dream into lasting impact takes resources. Despite that, we keep moving forward, driven by the same values that built Unchained from day one: discipline, resilience, and community.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The first quality that had the biggest impact on my journey was connection. Early on especially during the pandemic I realized that people didn’t just need a workout they needed community. Everyone was isolated myself included. So instead of just providing a service and moving on I made a real effort to connect with our clients check in with them and make sure they felt seen. That same quality has shaped our brand and attracted the team we have today. It’s also what continues to make Unchained feel like home to so many. My advice to anyone starting out is simple build real relationships. Get to know your people beyond the transaction. That’s what creates longevity and loyalty.
The second quality is patience. I’ve always preferred being in control so when things didn’t move on my timeline it used to frustrate me. Over the years I’ve learned to slow down let things unfold and trust the process. Patience has allowed me to take a step back digest situations fully and make decisions that aren’t driven by emotion. My business partner drilled this lesson into me. Feelings can’t lead when you’re making big decisions for your business. You have to separate yourself from your feelings so you can see the full picture clearly. For those early in their journey learn to sit with uncertainty. The right opportunities need time to grow don’t rush them.
The third skill that’s been a game changer for me is storytelling. Every founder has a story, that’s your power. For us the story of Unchained was built over years but the pandemic was when those roots really showed their strength. If you can tell your story with honesty and conviction you can inspire anyone to believe in your vision. I learned that firsthand when I submitted our first pitch deck to Puma North America. That deck and the story behind it led to our first global sports brand partnership that helped us make it through the pandemic and open our first brick and mortar space. Since then storytelling has become a superpower for me. It’s gotten us into rooms with funders and partners who might not have looked our way otherwise.
How would you describe your ideal client?
The ideal client for Unchained Athletics is someone who has already experienced big box studios with all the exclusive amenities, big rooms and smoothie bars. They are now looking for something deeper and more intentional. They want to focus on longevity performance and structural integrity while still enjoying the energy and accountability that comes from small group training sessions or classes.
Our ideal client is someone who constantly pushes themselves through personal goals like marathons hikes or athletic events. They are self driven and do not need constant reminders or handholding. They are busy individuals who take their training and wellness seriously and who see movement as a core part of their lifestyle.
They value genuine connection and appreciate wellness experiences like community workouts or retreats. They ask questions because they want to learn and grow and they aim to be independent in their training while still feeling supported by a team that feels like home.
For them investing in a coach is more important than spending on nights out or parties. Many of our high ticket members are small business owners or individuals with entrepreneurial ambitions who see health and discipline as extensions of their professional success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unchainedathletics.ca
- Instagram: @unchainedathletics
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/eddy-bucardo-218453216
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