A generous contribution from a local native has outfitted the Edison High School weight room with new equipment to help athletes and students get conditioned.
EHS alumnus and entrepreneur Cory Gregory recently donated strengthening gear to augment the facility’s amenities. Weight room instructor Shane O’Brien said about $5,000 in gear has been contributed over the past school year with the latest equipment arriving in mid-January. O’Brien said he has maintained a great rapport with Gregory, a 1997 Edison graduate and fitness expert who wanted to assist with any needs.
“He’s been in contact with me since I got this position and we’ve talked about programs and training. He asked if there was any way he could help us out. Last year, he made his first donation and he called me a few weeks ago and asked if there was anything we needed,” O’Brien commented. “He told me to get a list together. I got the list to him and then got confirmation that everything was on the way.”
Through Gregory’s generosity, the facility has added a total of two leg machines, two deadlift bars, several medicine balls and three sleds. O’Brien appreciated the contribution and said it will help enhance fitness among students as well as athletes, the latter of which holds great significance since he also serves as the high school football coach.
“It’s great for the athletes and they work really hard. It gives them an opportunity to work with quality equipment,” he continued. “I’m really grateful and [Gregory’s] been very good to us.”
Gregory said the school played a great role in his career. He was inspired by his grandfather to begin lifting at age 12 but continued in the EHS weight room under the leadership of former coach Jim Hoover. He said Hoover provided a great environment for him to thrive, and following graduation he spent six months working as a coalminer near Cadiz and also attended Columbus State University. He then opened his first gym at age 21 and became a personal trainer who currently co-owns The Old School Gym in Pataskala with fellow EHS alum Dustin Myers. The site is one of the top 10 hard-core gyms in the nation.
He has established himself as a serial fitness entrepreneur and leader in the nutrition industry, developing supplements such as Musclepharm and Max Effort Muscle. Gregory also runs an online programming and nutrition site at Corygfitness.com that has members in more than 50 countries, and alongside Max Effort Muscle managing partner John Fosco started one of the fastest growing podcasts called “Business and Biceps” that has just surpassed a million downloads. In addition, he has appeared in more than 30 powerlifting competitions and 14 drug-free bodybuilding events and has graced the cover of 11 fitness magazines. He holds an exercise specialist certificate from Columbus State, is a certified NESTA nutrition coach and holds a Cross Fit Level 1 trainer certificate. He is also a member of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Fitness Advisory Board, a Reebok master trainer and athlete, author of “The #MindsetManual” and “Entrepreneur or Wantrepreneur” and co-founder of the Activ8media consulting firm.
He said his goal was to become successful and then hopefully become a role model and inspire local youth, and giving back to his alma mater was one way to do it.
“There was no one for me to look up to and do what I do,” he said. “Once I left the Ohio Valley, I wanted to hopefully become that person for others. I was hoping I could inspire other kids.”
More plans are to sponsor a powerlifting event at the high school on April 27 with all proceeds benefitting more equipment needs for the facility. For more information about Gregory, go to his social media @corygfitness.