Evolve Fitness Owners, Matt and Mitch Benvie, have been in a ‘friendly’ competition their entire lives – although Matt is quick to point out that he had the initial victory in life of being born 11 minutes earlier than Mitch.
As identical twins, the brothers and co-business owners thrive in a competitive environment, but share an aligned vision on and joint commitment to health and fitness, and giving back to one’s community. The dynamic duo were presented with an opportunity in 2020 for Evolve Fitness to join Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal.
And like everything the two get involved with, they dove in with full commitment and enthusiasm. Last year, Evolve Fitness recruited the event’s largest Ride for Cancer team to date with 151 team members who raised an incredible $175,378.
“Ride for Cancer is such a meaningful event and with our large client base, the cause really hits home for many. It just felt very special, especially during a pandemic,” shares Matt. “Many of clients are like family to us. They align with our values and our mission, and when they see us getting involved with something, it makes it a lot easier for them to get on board too”.
And with Ride being a physical event, Mitch adds “it gives our clients a little something extra to work towards”.
Back again this year, Evolve Fitness have their sights set on an even larger team, with a bigger fundraising goal. Their initial goal was to recruit 200 team members and raise over $200,000. With such ambitious goals, the brothers brought back Team Matt and Team Mitch and now have over 276 Riders on their team and a new goal to raise $300,000.
Team Matt vs Team Mitch has deep rooted history, dating back to 2013 when they expanded Evolve Fitness to add a second gym. By challenging their clients to choose Team Matt or Team Mitch, the brothers foster an energetic, inspiring rivalry.
“We turn to competition to get people excited. Not only are they representing their team, they are representing Ride for Cancer,” explains Matt.
This year, both Matt and Mitch are featured in Ride for Cancer’s ‘faces of the fight’ marketing campaign. When asked which word they wanted put on their face with make-up, the choice was easy.
“Inspire. That’s my word,” says Mitch. “Anyone can inspire anyone else. The amount of clients who come into Evolve Fitness, overcome diversity and transform their lives, is truly amazing. They inspire me every day to do better.”
Matt sports the word passion. “Our entire business is driven by passion. Passion is giving everything you’ve got to something. We are all in and passionate about our clients, our community, our business, and now with Ride for Cancer. It is an event I will likely do for the rest of my life and we will proudly use it to inspire others.”
This year in particular, Matt and Mitch are extra passionate and inspired, as the cause hits close to home. With a young person in their life recently diagnosed with cancer, this year’s ride will be that much more personal for them.
“You can do everything right in your life, with health and wellness, and still be hit with something like a cancer diagnosis. You can’t always avoid it,” says Matt. “If cancer has touched your life, raising some money, while being part of a team, is a good journey to take. And knowing where the money is going, and staying local is a big part for me”.
Funds raised this year will bring the QEII Health Sciences Centre one step closer to introducing new state-of-the-art genetic sequencing technology to analyze the genes of thousands of tumour samples each year. With over 200 different types of cancer, and no two tumours or diagnoses alike, now more than ever there is a need to identify the most targeted and effective treatments.
Better outcomes, fewer side effects, access to a new therapy or clinical trial are all benefits this technology will bring to cancer patients. It can even spare patients from unnecessary treatments. This is a game-changer for those patients facing late-stage cancers.
As pre-COVID avid travelers and concert goers who are grounded in their home province for the time being, the brothers are fully focused on their business and their clients, having recently re-vamped their fitness programs for the virtual space.
They both hit the gym by 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. to train clients and write business content and the busy day unfolds, still making time to play some sports and have some ‘friendly’ games of ping pong. They both have been studying Spanish since the pandemic started, so that when travel is a safe option again, they are ready to immerse themselves in the countries they will visit.
Both share how much their job and their clients mean to them. “I love my job. It is a complete pleasure because of the clients we have,” says Matt. A feeling echoed by Mitch, “Not a lot of people can truly say they love their job”.
With over 276 riders on the Evolve Fitness team, the push is on. And the split between Team Matt and Team Mitch is heating up and the team as a whole has already raised an incredible $39,850 for the cause.
With just other five months until event day happening on October 2, Mitch is greatly looking forward to the team comradery of the day. “The event is unbelievable. And it is an investment in your own health, for your fitness now and for health care in the future.”
This weekend, you can make an impact with Matt & Mitch and East Coast Lifestyle founder, Alex MacLean by joining a FREE virtual workout in support of Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal! For every person who attends the free workout, FIVE DOLLARS will be donated up to $10,000 to the cause to help transform cancer care, here at home.
When: Saturday, May 1, at 10:00AM
Where: From the comfort of your home
Who: All ages and fitness levels welcome.
Equipment needed: None
There will also be over $10,000 in prizes drawn live during the event!
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Rider Stories are presented by:
Our Ride Community is comprised of inspiring advocates, warriors, survivors and fighters. This community is the reason we ride, to make an impact on cancer care for them and for future generations. As a proud sponsor of Ride for Cancer, AstraZeneca helps share these stories and inspires our community to continue the fight against cancer.
Go Team, go!! Good luck to my friends!!
This is sooo amazing. Great to be part of this event and looking forward to the ride.