BASSENDEAN fitness leader and Reside in Movement founder Daniel Amato closed a chapter spanning 14 years of training, events, and community spirit at the end of August.

Mr Amato’s farewell class drew a crowd that spanned generations of members from over the years.

Past and present participants joined alongside trainers and former staff to honour his long contribution.

“It was an emotional day,” Mr Amato said.

“Positive, happy, upsetting, sad, all at once.

“But overall, it was good, seeing everyone pull together.”

Mr Amato said his journey began in 2009 when he was a new father with a business that was initially part of a national franchise but then became Reside in Movement.

“Our name embodies constantly moving forward in some sort of movement,” he said.

“It doesn’t have to be one specific format and as long as we’re taking action to be healthier and lead lives that are outside and with other people.”

Over 14 years, Reside in Movement became a fixture of Bassendean life for members who could muster the discipline to rise to the call.

Classes ran six days a week at 5:45am, regardless of weather or season.

Echo News asked Mr Amato what drove that level of devotion to the training.

“I think it’s always putting that community first, creating that space and option for people to be able to move,” he said.

Mr Amato explained that the soul of the program and key to its longevity was in fostering community spirit.

“I suppose highlights for me through the times would be the events we create through the training,” he said.

“The training is the main reason we were there, but we’ve done gala dinners, amazing race events, beach boot camps and it was always that community spirit that came out as a part of it.

“The biking, for example, gave us a platform and a space for people to feel comfortable training outdoors.”

Members said Reside in Movement had become part of the area’s heritage.

Mr Amato said he had a more humble view on his impact but acknowledged being a visible part of the Bassendean community over the years.

“It’s a big statement,” he said.

“We’re definitely part of the actual area and been a face for being active outside and using outdoor space.

“Supporting community events, working with council, and helping people discover they could train comfortably outside.”

Former member Joanne Lauriston said her three years training with Amato were transformative and credits him with helping people find confidence, especially in running.

“Daniel is an exceptional small group trainer who goes beyond workouts,” she said.

“His supportive approach created a welcoming space where friendships naturally formed.

“I’ll always remember the early mornings and dark winter nights training together.”

Long-time participant Denise Young said Mr Amato’s consistency was his legacy.

“For 14 years, six days a week, rain, hail or shine, he trained us at Ashfield Reserve,” she said.

“Always professional, always with a smile.

“He actively changed peoples’ lives and perspectives, listened to their stories, provided counselling and celebration of their lives, and always, always supported local small business located in Bassendean and Ashfield.

“Always in the park, Daniel engaged with local dog walkers, commuters and sportspeople who frequented Ashfield Reserve, sometimes very early in the mornings or at dusk.

“He always worked with the Bassendean council to ensure the park was well taken care of and members left no footprint.

“Now Daniel is moving on and he and his van will be no more at the park.

“A loss to the community.”

A card filled with members’ messages thanking him for making running a part of their life or helping them settle into life in Australia with lifelong friends or for the encouragement despite protestations.

Mr Amato said reading the farewell messages made him glad he’s had a chance to leave a mark in the Bassendean community.

“They brought back a flood of memories of all those fun times, all those people,” he said.

“It made me smile.”

Mr Amato said he was looking forward to devoting more time to his family as his children got older and though he’ll look back fondly, the new Reside in Movement was in good hands.

“My daughters are older now and I want more time with them,” he said.

“The later evenings and early mornings were wonderful when my twins were younger but now, we’re at a new stage of life and having time with them is important to me.

“To the people who have trained with me over the years, thank you for putting that time and that trust into what we created for that space down there at Ashfield Reserve.

“It’s been an honour training with the group, working out with them and giving them the chance to discover what exercise can be.”