David Patchell-Evans

Patch began studying at the University of Western Ontario in 1973. He graduated in 1977 with an Honours degree in physical education and a minor in Business.

Early career and GoodLife Fitness

Two weeks after beginning his university studies, Patch was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that caused multiple injuries to his upper body. During eight-month rehabilitation process, he would become increasingly interested in the role physical fitness plays in injury recovery and prevention.

Using funds from his snow plowing business, he purchased a small fitness club in London, Ontario in 1979. This 200-square-meter facility would go on to become the first-ever GoodLife Fitness Club.

By 2023, GoodLife Fitness became the largest fitness club chain in Canada and the fourth largest in the world.

GoodLife Kids Foundation

In 1998, Patch founded the GoodLife Kids Foundation to help give Canadian kids with special needs the opportunity to live fit and healthy lives. GoodLife Kids Foundation has reached more than 260,000 kids and youth across Canada with supports for physical activity. Since 2018, the organization has focused on providing physical activity opportunities for kids and youth with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Today, the MOVE by GoodLife Kids Program delivers regular virtual workouts to kids and youth with autism and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. As of 2023, the program is also offered in person at Janus Academy in Calgary, Alberta, and more recently at high schools in Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario, with plans to introduce in-person options at GoodLife Fitness Clubs.

Supporting autism research

Patch has donated more than $11 million to autism research leading to important strides and collaborations, most notably with the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

In 2016, Patch pledged $5 million to help build the GoodLife Fitness Autism Hub in Richmond, BC. The knowledge centre incorporates state of the art resources for research, information, learning, assessment, treatment and support addressing the lifespan needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

In 2007, Patch was recognized with the Canadian Medical Association Medal of Honour (now called the Owen Adams Medal of Honour) – the highest honour given outside the medical profession in Canada – for his support of autism research and education.