What started as a shared vision between Sam Gallo and Rishi Mirpuri has grown into SURGE Personal Training — a thriving coaching team of close to 30 trainers, united by a commitment to structured programming, long-term progress, and purposeful training. 

 

Now operating across multiple locations, including Core Collective i12 Katong and Anson alongside their own New Bahru outlet, SURGE is known for delivering high-quality personal training that goes beyond workouts. Behind this growth, however, is a journey that began long before the business took shape — one deeply personal to Sam.

 

For Sam, personal training was never just a job; it was a calling that gradually revealed itself over time. Originally from Florence, Italy, Sam, now 35, has spent over 15 years in the fitness industry. In his early twenties, like many at that stage of life, he was searching for direction. While exploring different paths — from summer jobs as a lifeguard and waiter to picking kiwis in Australia — one constant remained: his passion for strength training. Over time, that passion became clarity.

Sam began coaching in his twenties back in Florence, and it didn’t take long for him to realise this was exactly what he wanted to do. Seeing clients progress, grow stronger, and move closer to their goals gave him a deep sense of fulfilment.

“The ability to work while following my passion was already a dream in itself,” Sam shared — and that’s what kept him committed to personal training. From there, his journey in fitness continued to evolve, eventually leading him beyond Italy.

 

While backpacking across Asia in his twenties, Sam arrived in Singapore as a stopover en route to another destination. But the city left a lasting impression. The skyscrapers, the cleanliness, and the sense of safety stood out immediately. More than just a travel destination, Singapore felt like a place where he could build a future. In that moment, Sam knew he wanted to work here.

 

As he continued his travels, he made a spontaneous but life-changing decision — applying for personal trainer roles in Singapore while still on the road. Somehow, he landed a position.

What started as a stopover soon became home.

 

By early 2020, Sam was coaching in Singapore alongside his business partner, Rishi. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and gyms were forced to shut down, the pause created unexpected space — time to reflect, rethink, and reimagine what was next.

 

Over the course of four intense days, Sam and Rishi brainstormed extensively, asking themselves key questions like “What gap exists in the market?”, “How can we elevate the personal training experience?” and “What kind of team and culture do we want to build?”.  That process led to the founding of SURGE Personal Training — a venture Sam now describes as “probably the best decision” of his life.

 

When gyms reopened in October 2020, SURGE officially began its journey. The first two coaches, Benny and Shakir, joined the team — now trusted companions who helped lay the foundation of the business. Today, SURGE has grown into a team of around 30 coaches.

 

With growth came challenges Sam never anticipated. Beyond coaching clients, he suddenly had to learn about payrolls, CPF, hiring, branding, SEO marketing, finances, and HR — areas he openly admits he “completely ignored” before starting a business.

 

“It was a steep learning curve,” Sam shared, “but it pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.”What began as a focus on training evolved into running a full-fledged business — one that required thoughtful risk-taking, adaptability, and constant learning.

 

Sam and Rishi were introduced to Core Collective in September 2019 through a former colleague. Sam reached out to the then manager who was able to help with a working pass. At the time, Sam admits he “chickened out” and decided to stay with their previous company. What stood out was that Core Collective kept the door open. Four months later, Sam found the courage to make the move — a decision he remains grateful for. To Sam, Core Collective offered more than just space. It provided an environment where starting a business was possible without a large upfront investment, allowing SURGE to grow with manageable overheads. He also credits the support of Michelle, CEO of Core Collective, for being instrumental throughout the journey. “Core Collective is a great place to start something,” Sam shared, especially for founders who are building from the ground up.

 

Today, Sam reflects on the journey with pride. From a young coach searching for direction, to leading a growing team of coaches, SURGE represents years of passion, risk, and growth.

For fellow entrepreneurs considering taking the leap, Sam offers this advice: “If you want to start your own business, you shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes, and take some risk. Mistakes will happen anyway — as long as you make a lesson out of it, you’ll grow and continue to get better.”