Canadian fitness industry leader David “Patch” Patchell-Evans has been named the first of six inductees to the 2027 Health & Fitness Association Hall of Fame.

Patchell-Evans, founder and chairman of the GoodLife Group, will be formally inducted on March 10, 2027, during the opening night of The HFA Show at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Patchell-Evans opened his first fitness club in London, Ontario, in 1979. That single location grew into the GoodLife Group, which today includes GoodLife Fitness, Fit4Less, Éconofitness, GYMVMT and canfitpro, along with interests in fitness businesses across North America, New Zealand and Australia.

His influence has also extended beyond club operations. In 1993, Patchell-Evans founded canfitpro, helping expand education and professional development for fitness professionals across Canada. He also previously served as chair of the Health & Fitness Association when the organization was known as IHRSA.

Building Connections Between Fitness and Health

Patchell-Evans has long advocated for a stronger connection between physical activity and healthcare, influenced in part by his own rehabilitation following a motorcycle accident and a later diagnosis of severe rheumatoid arthritis.

His support for the University Health Network’s GoodLife Centre of Excellence and chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention has helped advance research and exercise-based approaches to cardiac rehabilitation.

He has also been a major supporter of autism research and children’s physical activity initiatives. Patchell-Evans established the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group and founded the GoodLife Kids Foundation in 1998. According to HFA, Patchell-Evans and the organizations he has built have contributed more than $50 million to charitable causes, healthcare initiatives, research, children’s programming and community development.

“Patch’s impact on our industry goes far beyond the businesses he has built,” said HFA President and CEO Greta Wagner, pointing to his leadership, philanthropy and long-standing advocacy for physical activity.

Patchell-Evans is the first member of the 2027 Hall of Fame class to be announced, with five additional inductees to be revealed in the coming weeks. The induction ceremony will take place immediately following The HFA Show Kick-Off Party on March 10, with proceeds supporting the HFA Foundation.

The HFA Show 2027 runs March 10–12 in Las Vegas.