This November, we are beyond excited to spotlight Romain Chevalier, owner of Summit Gym Hua Hin and HYROX SEA Operations Manager. We caught up with Romain to talk about his personal fitness journey, the booming wellness scene in Hua Hin, and how our shared vision is bringing the high-octane HYROX movement to our stylish seaside retreat.
Let’s start at the beginning. What first sparked your passion for fitness and how did that evolve into a lifelong career dedicated to wellness and community building?
My background is in engineering. I was working long hours, overtraining, and accumulating injuries. That frustration sparked a curiosity to understand the body better, leading me to study anatomy, physiotherapy, and Pilates. What began as a personal quest to heal myself evolved into a career and a broader mission to share the power of proper training with others.The wellness space can sometimes feel intimidating. What is your personal philosophy when it comes to making fitness accessible, while still pushing people to discover what they are truly capable of?
Fitness is intimidating when people feel judged. That is why we built Summit as a private studio. You can start with one-on-one coaching and progress at your own pace. We even created a women-only strength program because sometimes the environment itself is the barrier. Similarly, HYROX has made
Training the body is one thing, but training the mind is another. Especially with high-endurance sports, how much of your coaching focuses on mental toughness versus physical strength?
Mental toughness is often misunderstood as pushing through pain. For me, it is much quieter: it is repetition. It is showing up consistently, especially when motivation is lacking. The strongest athletes aren't those who suffer the most in one session, but those who remain disciplined for years. That consistency builds confidence, and confidence drives performance.
Building Summit was like building an athlete: you try, make mistakes, adjust, and level up. We wanted more than a room full of equipment; we wanted high standards. That meant developing our coaches and constantly improving. Hua Hin is perfect for this. With the beach, outdoor spaces, and an international community that values health, we are proud to be part of the real fitness culture developing here.
For our readers who might be new to the movement, how would you describe the energy of HYROX? Furthermore, how did you step into the role of SEA Operations Manager for such a rapidly growing phenomenon?
HYROX is the most exciting thing to hit the fitness industry in years. My journey with it is deeply personal because I helped build its Thai presence from scratch. We had to establish everything step by step, from operations to the local community. Two years later, we delivered some of the country's largest fitness events. We built the right structure to give the community something worth coming together for. It turns fitness into a shared experience.
Hua Hin has a very distinct, laid-back charm, yet the fitness scene here is absolutely booming. How does the local culture of the town influence the vibe and the way you operate Summit Gym?
Hua Hin strikes an interesting balance. People are relaxed but increasingly serious about their health. They want to train hard, but they also want to enjoy life. Summit reflects that. Our members come for the intense training but stay for the relationships. It has become a true home for Hua Hin's performance community.
The connection existed long before any formal collaboration. Many Summit members already hung out at The Standard, Hua Hin and many hotel guests were naturally drawn to Summit. We share an obsession with experience. We do not just want people to consume a service; we want them to remember how the experience made them feel.
We are incredibly excited about this upcoming collaboration. What is the vision behind bringing the high-octane HYROX ethos into a stylish lifestyle resort setting like The Standard, Hua Hin?
The exciting part is the contrast. HYROX is intense, while The Standard, Hua Hin is about lifestyle and relaxation. But they complement each other perfectly. You can train seriously with great coaches in the morning, then recover by the pool all afternoon. It is not a rigid boot camp; it is a premium performance experience seamlessly blended into a great weekend.
What is your best advice for guests trying to balance vacation relaxation and staying active?
Keep it simple. Wake up early, enjoy a quiet moment by the sea, and have breakfast. Come to Summit, train properly for an hour, and then the day is yours. Go back to the resort, recover by the pool, eat great food, and enjoy yourself. Performance and pleasure make each other better.
Looking ahead to November and beyond, what is your ultimate vision for the future of wellness here in Hua Hin, and how do you see this partnership shaping that future?
True wealth is a strong mind in a strong body. Hua Hin is uniquely positioned to offer that balance with its climate, beach, hospitality, and growing performance community. My ambition is for people to visit Hua Hin not just for a holiday, but to invest in themselves. The Standard, Hua Hin gives you space to slow down, while Summit gives you the environment to get stronger. Together, we are making Hua Hin a top destination for wellness and lifestyle.
