Step aside traditional gym concepts, and enter Smart Fit. In a world where fitness meets tech, Edgard Corona is reshaping how Latin America breaks a sweat. All with a vibe that gives you more bang for your buck.

Back in the day, gym facilities in Brazil? Pretty scarce. Fast forward to today and you’ll find Corona’s brainchild, Smart Fit, flexing across 330 cities in Latin America, boasting a whopping 634 spots just in Brazil. And the growth? A jaw-dropping average of 32% from 2011 to 2023. Yep, that’s some serious gains, both on the mat and in the market.

So, where did this powerhouse start? Picture a teenage Corona, navigating the fashion scene and recognizing his entrepreneurial flair. Then switch scenes to him diving deep into chemistry, aiming to put his stamp on the family’s struggling sugarcane mill and alcohol distillery biz.

Despite inheriting a business on the brink of bankruptcy, Corona showcased his magic touch, pulling it from the abyss to accomplishment. A series of tiffs led him to step away, but not before picking up some serious management chops.

Now, here’s where the story takes a turn. An unexpected twist in the snowy slopes left Corona with an injury and a ticket to long-term physical therapy. But like any influencer of his caliber, he spun his setback into a startup. Enter Bio Ritmo Academia in 1996 – not just your run-of-the-mill gym but a complete wellness hub, with everything from bodybuilding sessions to health talks.

Yet, by 2008, Corona felt the itch again. No longer content with just Bio Ritmo, he dreamt bigger. Imagine a gym synced with the latest tech, designed for today’s digital age. And that’s how Smart Fit came to life. Countries from Mexico to Argentina jumped on the Smart Fit bandwagon, investors couldn’t resist, and everyone, from techies to influencers, found their fit groove.

Bottom line? Edgard Corona’s journey from fashion mogul to fitness titan isn’t just about building a business; it’s about crafting a movement where health goes hand in hand with tech, all while keeping it fabulously affordable.