It's Better to be Fat Than be at Max Fitness

 Usually I like to keep this blog strictly about photography, but I also like to discuss injustice. Unrelated to my story about the incident at the gym I also now run a Youtube called Facebook Police Auditor and I would love to get more people aboard to bring up the failures of Facebook's automated algorithm system that bans or suspends users for unjust reasons.

 I'll start this by informing you I was a Gold's Gym member starting from March 2015. Sometime last year the Gym I was a member of changed over to the Max Fitness brand, it's a brand that is slowly growing around the South Eastern United States. I have used this gym to ether work out or clean myself up after my primary job at a car dealership in preparation for my other jobs. I am on the go so often times driving 30 miles back home to just get back to the same location after cleaning up don't make any sense.

May 4th, 2022, didn't seem like anything out the ordinary! I had just got my camper moved to my new residence in Jackson SC and was still wearing my tech uniform I sport at my dealership job where I work in the maintenance department. I am issued the same uniform as a mechanic, and often confused for one, but also get just about as dirty as they do. My intention was to transition from that occupation to Door Dasher and Door dash the North Augusta SC area that evening. But before doing this I needed to clean up and my water at my site was not yet functional thanks to some leaky pipes. So, I went to the Max Fitness location in North Augusta SC, spent some time in the suna, then took my shower and changed my clothes. It's worth noting that I wasn't too picky about my hair or my clothes appearance as I was only looking to make myself comfortable and hardly ever directly interact with customers on deliveries anyway. It may also be worth noting that the vehicle I drove that night was a 1997 Silverado that well, looks like a 25 year old project truck, it has a primered front end and a non-functional driver-side door. This was due in fact to my daily driver, a 2018 Chevy Cruze being down at the time due to it's transmission being damaged by a road blunder from a construction company. Those two factors maybe have been used to stereotype me as a bum or would-be thief.

It's worth noting that I take grave offense to the events that occurred after this because of many factors. In addition to being a photographer I do multiple occupations, what I am accused of here and believed to have done by the accuser is something I would have had absolutely no motive or reason to think of doing. I push myself to make nearly $1,000 a week. I have staved myself through bad financial times very rarely even needing friends to help me. In fact many friends came to me for help recently from 2020 to the present. Anyone who knows me knows this! The people who ran this gym knew me for years and I would've been surprised if they ever took issue with it as it was nothing out the ordinary.

Approximately, 8:30 I exited the gym, nothing seemed a miss, but I decided to call my sister, I called her to discuss the sell of my old Play Station 2 and a few other things, we went off topic and talked for a while to catch up on life and work. Whilst talking on the phone I paced around the parking lot a bit, I could see how maybe this could cause a minor misunderstanding, because I did get carried away not even thinking about how others precieved it, but I think the upcoming reaction was a little excessive. Aside from this it was nothing out the ordinary for me to linger a bit if I was on the phone or even to get out my laptop and knock out some business, so I thought nothing of it as I had done this for years, and nobody had an issue or said anything about it. Then I saw a post on a classic NASCAR page on Facebook and got in conversation about a driver named Dave Marcus, I'm a fan of old style NASCAR so I tend to get involved in conversations and can drag on for a while. during this time I leaned on the right front of my truck.

If my timing recalls correctly I talked to my sister for 45 mins and was chatting on Facebook for maybe 15 when a North Augusta Public Safety Chevy Tahoe pulled in closely to my truck but passed it and pulled up to the gym's front entrance. I kind of knew the Gressey haired movie star looking cop was staring at me. The Karen alarms were ringing but I opted to believe that if he wanted to talk to me it was just a minor misunderstanding and if he came to talk to me it would be smoothed over. Surely gym management didn't call the cops on me and wasn't too scared to talk to me if my actions were upsetting someone right? After 7 years of membership? Also none of this is to take a stab at the police, I understand they got a tough job, one I could never do and have always had respect for anyone who can do that job the right way, and the right way may not be something I always agree with.

The next thing I know two more officers pull up and they confront me. The Gressy haired officer takes my ID and walks to the gym where his Tahoe is while the other two talk to me. The female officer actually knows me, and shes pretty cool, in fact we have a friendly conversation about photography while the Gressy haired officer is discussing with the complainant. I had been reported for peaking in or scoping out cars by some woman and possibly a spouse. It is worth noting that I do not have many enemies except maybe one known, that had a boy friend arrested following an incident in 2020 where I was driving on Lyft and hit a deer, subsequently the police ran his ID and he went to jail for a warrant which was not any my doing, but I get blamed for it anyway. So, if anything weird happens that's my first suspicion is it may be a revenge attempt for that incident. Still the complainant is faceless to me at this time. Management was scared to even talk to me so I don't know.

After about 15 mins the Gressey haired cop approaches me with a piece of paper and my license, and tells me I've been placed on trespassing notice and my membership has been revoked. The management was so scared to communicate with me they'd rather place me on trespassing notice than smooth over a simple misunderstanding, imagine that! I am to this day not even convinced anybody reviewed any camera footage and if they did they likely assumed my intentions judging by my vehicle's and physical appearance at the time. Whatever it was there was no need to call the police, all they had to do if they had an issue with any my activity was tell me about it. By the way this paper work was unprofessional, it didn't even contain the name of the issuing officer. He suggested I call management in the morning before I left if I wanted to smooth things over.

Meanwhile I didn't know this but a co-worker of mine, who I won't name for the same reason they do not want to show me valid evidence I did this, saw this incident and the BS alarm sounded. I drove back to Jackson full of rage knowing I had to work in the morning, but struggling to sleep with heart palpitations and stress keeping me awake. Never in my life had I ever experienced anything this embarrassing, and for something I didn't even do none then less. Little did I know that while I was trying to sleep and stressing, I had more support than I knew.

I get a call around 7:30 in the morning from my old manager and she was asking if I had went to jail. This of course was false but somehow a rumor was spread that I was arrested! Overnight the one person who had seen it and knew the truth had stirred up a fire storm of support for me. Many believed I was arrested though. I went to work full of rage and only two co-workers talked to me about it and it was revealed they had called the gym in anger on my behalf. Who their names are will not be revealed, since the gym management had no courage to even discuss anything with me or show me any footage.

I reached out to gym manager, who would not return my call. It would've been an ethical conversation but they didn't want it. A former employee who I will not name gave me General Manager's number. He had at least the courage to talk to me via phone. He said he had footage of me doing said deed but did not have the courage to show me what he was talking about. Was he judging me on head direction? I mean what was the grounds? He however was more worried about head hunting the person who gave me his phone number probably to terminate them, than anything but if he's too scared to talk to me about my issue he's not getting that info ever! Retaliation is impossible anyway as they no longer work for him anyway. Totally unprofessional! When you take a management position you shouldn't hide from complaints!

I went out to my favorite hang out and got nothing but support and hugs over the issue, which should be embarrassing to Max Fitness. I also still get asked by gym regulars why I never come and this is why. The North Augusta Gym has regressed so much in quality that they used a photo of another location in their own ad, I'm guessing because it looks better than their real location, when I posted comments on Facebook calling them out over it they opted to block me, a move I take as a sign of their own defeat. To make things even more interesting I know several people who discontinued their membership after hearing what happened to me. They were mortified and did not want to endure the same experience as me. I am hearing other horror stories such as them still taking payments after a member willingly cancels, and other stories similar to mine.

As for me I don't work three jobs to make over $1,000 a week to be disrespected like this as a place I was a loyal customer longer than I held ether my old job at Lifetouch or my current job at the dealership and accused of bumish activities then treated like I'm guilty of those activities.

With this, I add as of 4-10-2023, I got some other juicy news as to where this company's priorities are. The location at Bobby Jones Expressway hired Barry Davis as general manager. Yes I named him by name but his name is already all over the web anyway, many would have to be living under a rock if they lived in the CSRA for long and didn't already hear about his terrible reputation as a Richmond County Deputy following aggressive behavior. So, Max Fitness decided it was a totally good idea to make him the General Manager. Now I'm not against second chances and I believe people can change but let's look at the google and facebook reviews.

https://www.facebook.com/MaxFitnessAugusta/reviews

https://www.google.com/search?q=max+fitness+augusta%5C&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS848US849&sxsrf=APwXEdfq6p1yjWa16m6_5s4JFQ8UAaLyaQ%3A1681100703795&ei=n48zZMvFLtmlptQPyu-ygAs&ved=0ahUKEwiLkZ6SvJ7-AhXZkokEHcq3DLAQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=max+fitness+augusta%5C&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzIOCC4QgAQQxwEQrwEQ6gQyBQgAEIAEMgoIABCABBAUEIcCMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yGQguEIAEEMcBEK8BEOoEENwEEN4EEOAEGAE6CAgAEKIEELADOggIABCKBRCRAjoLCC4QrwEQxwEQgAQ6DgguEIoFEMcBEK8BEJECOg4ILhCvARDHARCABBDqBDoZCC4QrwEQxwEQgAQQ6gQQ3AQQ3gQQ4AQYAUoECEEYAVClBVi8EGDLEGgBcAB4AIABrAOIAYMNkgEHMi0xLjMuMZgBAKABAcgBA8ABAdoBBggBEAEYFA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Look at the reviews, most the negative reviews cite Mr. Davis by name. Readings about his time as a Richmond County Deputy even say he was demoted to jailer. He has one arrest for stabbing someone too. Now I'm not saying he's guilty, but there's a pattern and a history of anger issues with this guy that clearly hasn't been curved.

Here's some readings if you got time.

https://www.wrdw.com/content/news/Grovetown-man-facing-battery-charges-after-altercation-429536153.html

https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/augusta-reporter-revisits-his-2014-arrest/193158/

The article by former WJBF reporter Mike Miller seems to be proven very true about Mr. Davis when you see the reviews citing Mr. Davis as mean and aggressive. Clearly all these people can't be lying about how this man conducts himself.

With that said come visit my FineArtAmerica page and check out my protest T-shirt. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/max-fitness-protest-logo-joseph-johns.html?product=adult-tshirt&fbclid=IwAR16_xQ7XodZqlwLU9W3KhjnjYlrIiT5tmdJLP0V796BQyTnbP5WBIFjAKQ

Montmorenci where the tracks end!

I'd like to start my first blog out with a trip that I made on bike about a year ago. I'm well known by most of my peers from Midland Valley High for being able to ride several miles on bike and on this day I had a personal record of 52 miles on the day. However, most of that trip was a 38 mile round trip to the small town of Montmorenci SC, where I not only came for the accomplishment but to check out the area because I hadn't been there in a while and I was wondering how it changed since.

Another side note I wanted to follow about the time was I didn't yet have my driver's license, but at the same time the Southeastern United states was experiencing a gas crisis because of the recent hurricane Ike, which had closed down oil refineries so, many gas stations actually didn't have gas. Even if I had my license at the time, I wouldn't have been able to get gas at the time. I'll post images in this blog not only from on the way there but even one that shows how the gas stations re-acted to no gas.

September 27, 2008

Earlier that day I had already rode from Bath to Graniteville which made up the first 14 miles on the day, and I have pictures from Graniteville that day but, I will not include them in this blog. (I will have a blog from my Graniteville stuff coming up.) In this post you will see photos a few from downtown Aiken but mostly the small town of Montmorenci, which even a few people in Aiken County don't know where it's at.

So once again just about 3:00 in the afternoon I wanted some more and, after riding 14 miles at noon I decided that wasn't enough travel for the day. I wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been in a long time and the small town of Montmorenci was the place I wanted to look at.

Prior to leaving Bath, I basically followed S.C. hwy 421 til Warrenville. Turned on S.C. hwy 191 going into Graniteville and then on to U.S. hwy 1 I was heading Northbound. Highway 1 is kind of famous for being the highway that travels from the Florida Keys to the Canadian border. However, my memories of trying to ride bike down highway 1 from Langley to Graniteville remind me of a Death trap. I don't suggest cycling on that part of the highway unless it's necessary. I'm a well experienced cyclist who has been in many situations over the years and certain parts of highway 1, still scare the death out of me from time to time. So, obviously I only ride this route when I have to.

Before reaching Aiken I notice a Junkyard full of old truck. Many of which look like they could be restored. Even one funny looking creation across the street.Imagine that a 4-wheel drive station wagon! It looks like the people who run this junkyard are a little crafty as well. As you can see it is taller than that Ford Truck on the left but, I don't know if the thing actually works. I believe it doesn't because last time I remember it is still parked in the same place.


Next these two old fire trucks even caught my eye among the junk. They look to be possible to restore but instead they will probably be scrapped.

This junkyard is mainly a truck junkyard so from time to time you can find all kinds of old heavy-duty trucks sitting here. Unlike classic cars most of these trucks don't get saved and preserved, instead they get crushed and melted down for scrap metal.

As I mentioned earlier in the blog I'd show you an example of the gas crunch at the time.
After passing the junkyard I passed this gas station. This is the circle K on U.S. Highway 1. The fact that the station placed $0.00 on the price counter can be deceiving that they are giving away gas, ha, ha you wish! Most people know better than that because who would really give away that kind of thing? The gas stations were doing this to show that they were out of gas. So I'd have to say if you're looking at this picture, now just for laughs, "YOU DID NOT MISS OUT ON FREE GAS." In fact didn't miss out on any gas because there was nothing here just like most of the Southeast Aiken was no exception. When the refineries close a large portion on the country will be feeling the effects and hurricane Ike all the way in Texas, really can cause a gas shortage. Just like Hurricane Katrina in the gulf did in 2005.

I went through Downtown Aiken following U.S. 1 and U.S. 78 then splitting off onto park avenue where I have one image from Aiken.
I crossed Park Avenue here and when I took this picture I was actually standing on a wooden Bridge and yes cars can cross it. However, there is a weight limit as expected. Norfolk Southern still operates through here though only p22 actually uses these tracks to switch cars to the R-line which Goes from Augusta to Columbia. But one day If I get lucky to catch it passing under here it would make a nice shot especially in the fall.

I followed Park Avenue down to the end where I rejoined U.S. 78 which I would follow all the way to the town of Montmorenci.

The railway line seen through out this is actually the old line to Charleston often known as the Hamburg-Charleston line. It was 133 miles long built in 1833 and at the time it was the longest railway line in the world. It was used up until the 80's when Norfolk Southern retired the line but not the whole thing. Through out the rest of this post I'll show which parts are still active and which parts aren't. The train that was famous for traveling this line was the Best Friend of Charleston, and back then railroad tracks weren't made of T-rail, but instead something called strap Iron. If you'tr wondering what Strap iron is I have a picture right here from Augusta, Georgia that I'll show you in another post later.

Before I go any further a lot of you may be asking "where is Hamburg?" Hamburg was a town in the river right across the river from Augusta, GA. Henry Shultz the founder hated Augusta and created it as a rival place to trade. The town was successful for a time, but the area both towns are located in is a flood prone area. By 1929 Augusta built a Levee to circumvent the waters from the city, however hamburg was unprotected. When the 1929 flood rolled in, it destroyed Hamburg completely and I mean wiped it off the map. Some remains that are left are the old supports from a train bridge which can bee seen from the river walk paralleling the 5th street bridge. I'll post those photos in another blog as well, because this one isn't about Hamburg.

Continuing toward Montmorenci, I pass this silo. The ventilation fans are still running and it is still in use.The core of Montmorenci seems to be framing because along U.S. 78 there is a lot of farm land.
This section is still in Service.In light of the gas shortage I passed an old gas station. This one I believe has been closed since the 90's. Though the store itself looks like it's barely modern to the 80's. On one of it's old pumps it says "93 Octane" which came out in the 90's if I remember right. The place don't look very looted or vandalized but more like unmaintained. The roof probably leaks by now I would assume. But you won't be able to buy gas here anymore weather there is a shortage or not.

After passing through Montmorenci I go two miles out of town down U.S. 78 I reach the end of the line. I'm going fast because daylight is going quickly at this point and I won't have much time to get good shots if I don't hustle.This was mile marker 51 counting down. That means at this position I'm 51 miles outside of Charlestown. This is where the tracks end. However the whole Charlestown line wasn't pulled up once this old trail reaches Branchville it comes to life again because a Line from Columbia to Charleston actually joined onto it and it is still active, meaning that the Branchville section of this line is still active. You can also see my old mountain bike that I made the trip on in the background.This is the entrance to a small chemical factory of some sort, I forgot the name. here you see the tracks are no longer here however, there is an old crossbuck sign still standing guarding for what never comes. On an interesting fact if you looked at the call tag on the crossing you'll see it has a sort of new Norfolk Southern tag on it and even a crossing number. The train will come to a spur in this area only to switch cars but it will not go beyond this point anymore.

Before turning back with the last minutes of daylight left I decided to go after one more shot just a half mile down the road.
This is how an old railway line looks after more than twenty years of abandonment! Nature reclaims it pretty fast with pine trees growing up very fast. You can still find Granite rocks, spikes, and many other old things. In fact on my second trip I found two old spikes.

Well that's all for now but I do have a video from my 3/21/09 Bike ride to Montmorenci and if you want to see it here it is. Keep in mind I was batting .100 mentally that day so I made a few mistakes such as not adding certain clips and saying the day was 3/31/09. To sum it all up I made several mistakes because it was a one man project and doing it all is kind of hard for one person.