Year 2022
The Not So Serious Origin Story of Madeira Friends
If there’s one question that pops up every now and then — usually right after someone whispers, “Is it true that Luis only wears black or white?” — it’s:
“How did all this… happen?”
“All this” being the 60-person outdoor workouts, rooftop pool parties, boat trips, beach clean-ups, tree plantings, volunteering, dinners that end in late-night dancing, and yes — even talks at schools. It seems like a simple question, but it sends our minds into a nostalgic spiral. So we just smile and say:
“It started with burpees.”
B-U-R-P-E-E-S. Phonetically: /ˈbər-pēz/. Grammatically: a noun. Emotionally: a mix of pain and glory.
Now, if you know the founders, you might assume Madeira Friends was born from an Excel spreadsheet, a color-coded five-year vision board, and a motivational podcast playlist on repeat.
Spoiler alert: None of that happened.
Two Friends and a Pandemic
This will be a Netflix show. Wait for it.
Let’s rewind to that year — 2020. (We’ll whisper it — the year of the C-word — just in case saying it out loud jinxes something again.)
Luis Calado, Madeiran by birth but shaped by years in mainland Portugal and Ireland, dreamed of coming back to his island for family, sun, sea, nature, and CrossFit. During lockdown, he explored all the viewpoints Madeira has to offer with dumbbells in one hand, and a hope for a fitness island on the other.
Then there is Marelin Gonçalves, born in South Africa, studied in Madeira, and shaped by life in the two years in London. Her background in tourism and real estate didn’t stop her from constantly wondering, “How can I help the locals? How do I find a community that feels like home?”
While most people were baking banana bread and adopting sourdough starters, Luis and Marelin were battling it out in burpee challenges over WhatsApp. (No, seriously, this happened)
Then came 13 December 2020 — a date that** should be a national holiday.** Marelin dared Luis to host a free outdoor workout on a Saturday. Joined by their siblings Liliana Gonçalves** and ****Pedro Calado**, (both also part of the project) and their friend João Salgueiro, they met up for what they thought would be a one-off.
Yes, there were burpees. No, there were no regrets.
A curious local named Marco, a calisthenics enthusiast, happened to be watching.
“Are you doing this again?”
Luis: “Humm… sure, next Saturday at 10am.”
The First Group Photo
Marelin posted on an international WhatsApp group, that there would be a free workout held on Saturday at 10am. To everyone’s surprise (including theirs), people actually came. They kept coming. They brought friends and more friends. **They came for the burpees… but stayed for the community. **(This quote should be on a billboard)
And just like that, Madeira Fitness Friends was born.
The Ripple Effect
In April 2021, João introduced the founders to Gonçalo Hall, the brains behind the Digital Nomads Madeira Islands project. That connection turned Madeira Fitness Friends into a welcome for newcomers on the island.
Soon, the group was doing all sorts of activities together — from standup paddle, paragliding, boat trips, canyoning, picnics, walking tours and even hosted a fundraiser which was the turning point for Madeira Fitness Friends. They raised €2,000 for a non-profit animal association — by doing five minutes of burpees and later that year, donated bags of toys for Christmas to the children of Fundação Zino and Acreditar.
What started as a sweaty Saturday meet-up evolved into a non-profit association — Madeira Friends — connecting locals and internationals through giving-back, wellness, sustainability, schools, tech, art, and culture.
And the burpee love didn’t stay in one spot.
**Mondays **and **Wednesdays, **it made its way to Ponta do Sol, bringing that same energy — and soreness — to the first digital nomad village.
“We are almost like a love letter to this island — and ALL the people who choose to be part of it.”
From Dumbbells to Digital Skills
We’re about giving back, learning together, and growing as a community. From skill shares and hackathons to dance parties and beach cleanups, everything is built on one thing: giving-back to the island.
And yes, we still do burpees. (But we don’t judge if you prefer to dance instead)
Everyone who’s joined — whether for one event or one year — has shaped what this community is today. And the best part? We’re just getting started.
The Grand Finale?
So… is this how it really happened?
It did start with burpees. But it grew because of people like you — who showed up, stayed a little longer, brought friends, high-fived strangers, and believed a sweaty workout group could become something so much bigger.
If you’re new here and wondering what this is all about… We will see you next Saturday at 10 am. Just bring water, a towel… And maybe — almost certainly, there will be some burpees.
What About the Founders?
Ah yes, the infamous duo. Think **Timon and Pumba meets Pinky **and the Brain.
Different as night and day. One’s always in black, the other’s color-coding spreadsheets.
But they share two things: A deep love for this island and the community And a soft spot for anything with paws.
You can bet the founders are rolling up their sleeves and planning what is next.
Spoiler alert:
“Building Madeiras Future: a home for locals and internationals”