A personal trainer who was dumped for spending too much time at the gym has turned his heartbreak into a thriving six-figure business connecting fitness fanatics looking for love.
Jamie Wykes-Hobday was preparing for a bodybuilding competition when his relationship fell apart because of his dedication to training.
The 26-year-old was gutted at the time but the break-up sparked an idea that would change his life.
He realised there was a gap in the market for people passionate about fitness to meet partners who genuinely understood their lifestyle.
Five years later, his platform FITFCK has evolved from a small dating app into a multi-level fitness brand generating strong six figures in annual revenue
“I actually started Fitfck after a breakup,” Jamie, from London, told Founder Insights.
“I was preparing for a bodybuilding show and my commitment to training became a point of tension in the relationship.
“It made me realise how hard it can be for people who are passionate about fitness to date someone who doesn’t share that lifestyle.
“I wanted to create a place where people like me could connect with others who genuinely understand and appreciate the dedication that goes into training.”
Before launching FITFCK, Jamie worked as a personal trainer and fitness influencer with a client base of more than 100 people.
He spent his days helping clients transform their physiques and build confidence while studying at university.
The breakthrough moment came during his preparation for the Miami Pro Physique competition in St Albans, London.
Jamie said: “I was obviously upset, but after the break up I realised: there’s a real gap in the market for people who are passionate about fitness to meet like minded partners.
“I realised this is a booming industry that’s only going to grow, and that insight became the foundation for Fitfck.”
The journey hasn’t been without challenges.
Jamie faced a year-long legal trademark battle with a brand that had a similar name, spending over five figures on legal fees.
“It was a challenging experience, but it taught me a lot about resilience and protecting a brand,” he said.
FITFCK initially acquired users through Instagram marketing but has since shifted to organic growth through word of mouth and social media.
The turning point came when the brand began hosting in-person events.
“Meeting our community face to face allowed us to build stronger connections, develop personal engagement and turn online interest into active, loyal members,” Jamie said.
“Those events really brought the Fitfck community to life and marked a turning point for our brand.”
The business has since expanded beyond the dating app to include influencer management and events, with international expansion plans in 2026.
“My overall goal is to build the first multi level fitness dating focused consumer brand,” Jamie said.
“We’ve already made significant progress with the Fitfck app, Fitfck influencer management and Fitfck events.
“The aim is to create a brand that truly resonates with fitness enthusiasts on multiple levels.”
Jamie credits his success to staying authentic and remaining resilient through setbacks.
He’s backed by notable investors and advisors including Professor Alex Edmans, Brentford Football Club Non-Executive Director Stuart Hatcher and OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely.
His biggest lesson? Don’t react too quickly.
“Take a deep breath, go for a walk, think and then make a calculated decision,” he said.
“My biggest reward is the sense of purpose and fulfilment I get from running my business.
“Building something that positively impacts people’s lives and seeing our community thrive gives me a deep sense of meaning that goes beyond financial success.”
