About Us - Pyrethorn Odyssey Fitness | Vancouver's Adventure Training Hub

It Started With A Crazy Idea

Back in 2018, I was tired of the same boring gym routine. You know the drill - show up, hit some machines, maybe run on the treadmill for a bit, go home. There had to be something more, something that'd actually make me wanna get outta bed at 5 AM.

So I started training outdoors, building makeshift obstacles in local parks, dragging tires around, climbing anything I could find. Friends thought I'd lost it. Maybe I had. But here's the thing - I was having the time of my life and getting stronger than I'd ever been.

That's when it hit me. What if there was a place where people could train like warriors preparing for an actual quest? Not just lift weights to look good, but build real functional strength that'd help 'em conquer whatever life throws their way.

Pyrethorn Odyssey Fitness was born from that vision. A place where every workout's an adventure, every challenge makes you tougher, and every member's writing their own legend.

What We're Really About

Look, we're not here to sell you magic pills or promise six-pack abs in 30 days. That's not how real strength works. We're about building you into someone who can handle whatever comes next - whether that's an actual obstacle race, hiking up Grouse Mountain, or just keeping up with your kids at the playground.

Our approach mixes old-school functional movements with adventure-based challenges. Think less "bicep curls" and more "can you carry a sandbag up a hill?" Less "how much can you bench?" and more "can you pull yourself over a wall when you're already exhausted?"

We've built a community here in Vancouver that doesn't just work out together - we push each other, celebrate wins (no matter how small), and yeah, sometimes we fail spectacularly. But that's part of the journey.

Every person who walks through our doors is starting their own odyssey. Our job's to make sure they've got the tools, the support, and the grit to see it through.

Meet The Founder

Marcus Thornwell

Founder & Head Coach

I'm not gonna pretend I've always had it figured out. Grew up in North Van, played hockey through high school, then kinda lost my way in my twenties. Worked a desk job that was slowly killing my soul and my body.

Got into obstacle racing almost by accident - a buddy dared me to sign up for a Tough Mudder back in 2015. I barely finished, but something clicked that day. Spent the next few years obsessing over functional fitness, got certified as a trainer, studied everything from CrossFit to parkour to traditional strength training.

What I learned is that the best training doesn't fit in a box. It's messy, it's challenging, and it should push you in ways you didn't think possible. That's what we do here at Pyrethorn Odyssey.

These days, you'll find me either coaching on the floor, testing out new obstacle courses (usually falling off them first), or brainstorming the next wild challenge for our members. This gym's my life's work, and honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Our Journey So Far

January 2019

The Beginning

Opened our doors with just 800 square feet, some homemade obstacles, and a dream. Had 12 founding members who believed in the vision enough to take a chance on this weird new gym.

September 2019

First Major Expansion

Grew to 2,500 square feet and added our signature outdoor training area. Built our first proper obstacle course with real equipment. Member count hit 75 - way beyond what we'd hoped for in year one.

March 2020

The Pivot

COVID hit hard. Had to get creative - launched virtual training sessions, outdoor bootcamps in local parks, and built equipment loan programs. Lost some members but gained a tight-knit community that stuck together through the chaos.

July 2021

Coming Back Stronger

Reopened with enhanced safety protocols and pent-up energy from our members. Hosted our first in-house obstacle race competition - 40 participants, tons of mud, and more fun than should be legal.

April 2022

Team Grows

Brought on three additional coaches - all former members who caught the bug and got certified. Added nutrition consulting services. Our little experiment was becoming a real business.

November 2023

New Location, Same Energy

Moved to our current spot on Granville Street - 4,000 square feet of pure adventure training space. Built the obstacle course of my dreams. Member community hit 200 strong.

June 2024

Championship Success

Our members took home 8 podium finishes at the BC Obstacle Racing Championships. Not bad for a gym that started in a tiny warehouse with homemade equipment.

November 2025

Today & Beyond

We're still growing, still learning, still pushing boundaries. Got some wild plans for 2026 that I can't wait to share. But mostly? We're just grateful to be doing what we love with an incredible community behind us.

Why We're Different

No Egos, Just Results

Leave the gym bro attitude at the door. Everyone here's on their own journey, and we celebrate progress at every level.

Functional Over Flashy

We train movements, not muscles. You'll get strong in ways that actually matter for real life.

Community First

You're not just joining a gym - you're joining a tribe of people who'll push you to be better.

Always Evolving

We're constantly testing new training methods, building new challenges, and finding better ways to help you reach your goals.

Ready To Start Your Odyssey?

Stop thinking about it and just show up. First class is on us - come see what all the fuss is about.

Get Started Today