The People Project:
Dion Grossnickle
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | February 12, 2022
Meet Dion Grossnickle!
Dion is the youngest of two boys and he grew up in Metairie. He graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School in 1990 and attended Southeastern Louisiana University. He graduated in 1996 in Kinesiology with a focus on Sports Management and Marketing. He met his wife, Katrina, and they married in 2005. Together they have two sons, Evan (12) and Landyn (11). Evan is autistic and one of Dion's life purposes is to help spread awareness about autism. He uses his experiences to help educate people of how to connect with his son. Dion is part-owner of North Cypress Fitness, the largest fitness center in the parish. He is the current Junior Auxiliary of Tangipahoa's Man of the Year, an honor that he was nominated for and voted upon within Junior Auxiliary for all his work with the community. He is a main contributor to a local Bike Drive, works closely with Chappapeela Sports Park, and does events at the fitness center that help spread awareness about autism.
We want to thank Dion for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about his life and his love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: After I graduated from college, I was offered a position with the Houston Rockets. I was excited about it, but was approached to interview with a fitness center in Slidell. I went just to see what it was all about, and I walked out of the meeting wanting the position without even discussing salary! I really got along well with the owner, and I ended up staying at that fitness center for 15 years. After that time, the owner and I agreed it was time for me to step away and find my own facility or build one. Around that time in 2011, I was approached to assist with growth at North Cypress Fitness. And we did that- they only had 773 members, now we have over 10,000 members, they had 27 employees, now we have 200 employees (both full and part time). We have grown our footprint as well. We just kept growing. I always say you need the right people to implement systems in order for success. We do that well here. In the 26 years I have been working in this industry, I have never once woke up and thought, "I don't want to go to work today."
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: We enjoy going out to eat, it is where we get our family time in, which is the highest priority for me. There are so many good spots around here! I love The Steakhouse's steaks. We love La Carreta, Mariner’s Inn, Tacos and Beer. We love Yellow Bird Cafe or Paul's Cafe for breakfast on Saturdays.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Playing ball with neighborhood friends on Cleary Playground. For over 15 years of my life we just spent so much time there.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: For a family trip I would say a 3 or 4 week RV trip around the United States. Letting the kids see and experience new things. If we are talking just my wife and I, I'd say Greece. I have never been outside the U.S. besides Mexico!
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: The Greatest Showman. There are cool stories in the movie I can relate to. I grew up with awesome movies like E.T., The Godfather, Ghostbusters - we were always watching those.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: If it is a group of college students, I would say you need to find you passion and purpose. You are in this world to leave a mark.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I really don't feel a need that I have to do something. I have a full life.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I am open to all types of music, but I would say I like Tom Petty and U2. I have seen Tom Petty perform a few times, and each time was better than the last.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Mariner’s Inn. When I was in school, there weren’t as many options of restaurants like there is now. Me and my friends would scrape some money together and eat there on the weekends.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: My grandfather. I never asked him his story. He fought in World War II, and he has so many stories. I would take him to one of his favorite local bar rooms and we would drink Miller Light ponies, his favorite beer.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: People have such dedication and pride to this area and the community. That isn't found in other cities.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: We are blessed with great team members, that I would be able to be less involved with the day-to-day operations. I would love to be traveling with my family and spending more time with them.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: When I was 15 years old, I was playing in a baseball tournament in Monroe. After a game, my teammates and I were playing Wiffle ball when some guys with long hair asked if they could play with us. We played with them for a few days, not realizing it was Jon Bon Jovi and his band. Years later when I was 21, I was eating at a restaurant in Atlanta and was sitting next to Richie Sambora and I brought up the time we played Wiffle ball. He definitely remembered and said he remembered my mother washing his clothes for him, which happened! It was a fun experience.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Not just 4 walls, but the love and smiles I receive when I walk through the door.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A housekeeper for my wife. She spends so much time making sure our home is clean and put together, I would give her that!
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Pizza!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Think in silence.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was On Cloud shoes to Katrina just because, and last gift I received was when Landyn told me he loves me when I drop him off to school.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Probably North Cypress, but I would like it to be for autism awareness.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: Something by Tom Petty.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Time travel to see how different the world was in different times.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: We love going out to eat, so being a foodie!
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: I don't use many, but the one I use is just the regular smiley face.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My wife. She is the best mom I know. Also of the progress Evan has made. And I am proud of how great of a kid Landyn is.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: I don't want to call my wife and item! But I would bring her and a boat so we could leave the island when we were ready.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: A house, build a school for kids with autism, but also have other kids without disabilities there, and donate to children that need resources.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That there is meaning in the dash of my life.
Dion was nominated by D’Ann Davis
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