WHY WE EXIST
Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club exists because modern gyms forgot what strength is about.
They became crowded. Impersonal. Profit-driven.
Equipment sits broken. Trainers lack depth. Members remain strangers.
Standards disappear.
We exist to restore what was lost.
We believe strength is earned through discipline, proper technique, and consistent effort — not shortcuts or gimmicks. We believe community matters. We believe members should know each other. We believe a gym should feel like a proving ground, not a fitness factory.
Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club was built for bodybuilders, powerlifters, strength athletes, and those ready to begin sculpting their physique into the strongest version of themselves.
With limited memberships and a culture rooted in respect and accountability, we provide top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art equipment — the best of old-school iron blended with the finest modern innovation.
This is where individuals transform.
This is where discipline becomes identity.
This is where strength becomes a rite of passage.
"I started like many — stepping into crowded gyms, lost in the chaos, surrounded by machines and people I didn’t know. The energy was there, but the culture was absent. There was no community, no guidance, and no sense of purpose. I realized that to truly transform the body, you needed more than equipment — you needed standards, mentorship, and a brotherhood of individuals committed to excellence.
That realization became Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club. I wanted a place where bodybuilders, powerlifters, strength athletes, and those starting their journey could train with purpose, know their peers, and build their discipline daily. A place where equipment is honored, technique is respected, and every member knows that strength is earned, not bought.
Rite of Passage isn’t just a gym — it’s a forge. Every rep, every session, every choice you make inside these walls shapes your body, mind, and identity. This is my legacy, and it’s your journey. Step into the forge, claim your place, and earn your rite… Train with purpose.”
-Brandon Garic Notch - Founder, Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club
We built Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club as a sanctuary for those who understand that real strength is earned through discipline, consistency, and the willingness to do difficult things.
Founders Annamarie & Brandon Notch
Who This Is For:
Bodybuilders serious about sculpting their physique
Powerlifters chasing measurable strength
Strength athletes who respect technique
Beginners ready to train properly from day one
Adults 18+ who want discipline, not distraction
Who This Is NOT For:
Casual social media gym goers
Ego lifters who don’t respect equipment
People looking for crowded $10 memberships
Those unwilling to follow standards
What Makes Us Different:
Limited memberships
Elite equipment (old-school + modern performance machines)
Clean, organized, serious training environment
Community where members actually know each other
Transparent pricing
Coaching standards rooted in proper biomechanics
Strength, to me, is deeper than appearance. It’s built through consistency, commitment, and the quiet choices you make when no one else is watching. True strength is the discipline to show up daily, the resilience to grow through adversity, and the self-awareness to live in alignment with your values—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Brandon G Notch - Founder, Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club
⚜️ Brandon Garic Notch
Founder & Vice President
• Artist • Author • Actor • Strength Athlete • Lead Trainer & Coach
Brandon Garic Notch is the founder of Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club and the visionary behind its philosophy of disciplined strength training and personal transformation.
His life has been defined by a relentless commitment to craft across multiple disciplines. Beginning as a professional tattoo artist in his teens, Brandon developed a reputation for precision, artistry, and dedication to the traditions of tattooing. He later founded Sacred Saint Studio, a private custom tattoo atelier recognized for its elevated standards and personalized artistry.
Beyond tattooing, Brandon expanded his creative work into writing and performance. He is the author of Death Is Only the Beginning and Making Way for the New: Seven Steps to Spiritual Alchemy, works that explore transformation, consciousness, and personal evolution. As an actor and stunt performer, he is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has trained in stage combat, Muay Thai, boxing, and other athletic disciplines to bring authenticity and intensity to his performances.
Across every discipline — art, writing, performance, and strength training — Brandon believes that mastery is built through patience, resilience, and unwavering commitment to improvement.
That philosophy ultimately became the foundation for Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club.
⚜️ Annamarie De La Cruz Notch
Co-Founder • President & CEO/Chief Executive Officer • Fitness Enthusiast • Mind-Body & Strength Advocate • Trainer & Coach
Annamarie Notch serves as Co-Founder and President of Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club and plays a central role in shaping the culture and leadership of the organization.
A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Annamarie has dedicated years to developing both physical and mental strength through resistance training and disciplined living. Her philosophy emphasizes the powerful connection between mind, body, and personal resilience, believing that consistent training builds not only physical capability but also clarity, confidence, and mental strength.
As President, she helps guide the club’s vision, member experience, and operational leadership, ensuring that Rite of Passage remains a community built on integrity, discipline, and mutual respect.
Brandon and Annamarie have been partners for more than twenty years and were married on March 3, 2021. Their shared commitment to growth, resilience, and purposeful living forms the foundation of the culture behind Rite of Passage Elite Fitness Club.
