Owners story – overcoming obstacles

My story is one of overcoming obstacles that set me on the path to my career as a fitness business owner. In January 2006 I was playing high school football for Putnam Valley. We were in the midst of an incredible season when I re-aggravated a herniated disc in my back, followed by rupturing my ACL. If you ask any athlete, not the ideal way to finish a high school athletic career.

I ended up facing a life changing moment. The doctor’s visit went like this, “if you have surgery you will miss your last season of lacrosse, and at 293 pounds you are too big to be fitted for a brace so you won’t be able to play. You can try to lose about 20 lbs in 6 weeks and we can try to fit you for a brace and hopefully get you back on the field”. From there, my mind was a spiral of negative thoughts!

“You will never lose that much weight”.

“You will always be fat, obese, and out of shape”.

“You are not a good enough athlete to play college sports”.

“You should just give it up before you injure yourself even further”.

Instead of listening to those thoughts, I decided to do something different! Six weeks later, I walked into the follow up appointment, 38lbs lighter and said “Let’s get me fitted for a brace sir!” I will never forget that moment, the look on his face as he was in disbelief, I had proved him wrong. 

This experience taught me a few things that I will always carry with me:

1. You either dothings or you don’t; there is no trying
2. If you want things you need to be gritty
3. You need to be relentless and disciplined
4. Discomfort is only temporary
5. Losing weight is simple, but it’s not easy
6. Don’t quit……ever

My journey had a few key players, one of them being Dan Girolamo. He gave me simple steps, but they weren’t easy: Eat Better, Crush Cardio, Train Vigorously (alongside him), Don’t Complain – no one cares.

I had fallen in love with the process, this new mindset, how I felt and how I started to look. I learned that the doubt of others is what motivates me to do more, the road ahead was windy and filled with doubters.

53 pounds down and college Football was still out of the question because of my torn ACL, but it didn’t seem to matter. My passion for business and fitness was fueling me. I surrounded myself with what I loved. I chose business as my major, worked in a physical therapy office and worked in the fitness center at SUNY Plattsburgh. I was told not to bother applying for the fitness center because I was a senior. Again, being told I was not going to get something only pushed me more, they hired me, helped me achieve my first training certification and I interned as co-director.

After graduation came the “real world”. I kept moving, made a few shifts and met more mentors. I became a Personal Trainer, locally at Club Fit Jefferson Valley and transitioned to a Parisi Speed School Performance Coach. I met another mentor, Jason Needle, who motivated me and continued to push me further in my career. You can, You Will! R.I.P Jason, I hope I have made you proud.

In 2012 I started my first business, Kettlebell Inferno, with another mentor, Pat McMahon. We faced some challenges, changing the direction of this business. And shortly after I was asked to resign from ClubFit. I was told I wasn’t a good trainer and did not work well with kids. Remembering what I learned from Dan, don’t quiet, ever.

The next 4 years, with the loyalty of my clients, I continued pushing forward. In early 2014, I began studying for one of the most reputable certifications. The NSCA-CSCS. I took a giant leap forward in my career and became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA.

In September of 2014, another great mentor, Joe Bellino, who had an incredible amount of business expertise, pushed me to opening my first facility right in my hometown of Putnam Valley. I would work with athletes who knew I had been there, done that and I would work with families that knew me and helped me grow my network. I shared the idea with family and my brother’s initial response was, “I will pay you any amount of money to NOT open a business in Putnam Valley, it will fail”. Being motivated by other’s doubts, I opened my first location in Putnam Valley.

I had a vision, a following, a brother (who dedicated a ton of time), 4 incredible clients/friends, and 2 established professionals in the industry who were bought in. Three years of growth in Putnam Valley and Team Moljo relocated to Shrub Oak with an incredible team and tribe. Together we continue to build a S.T.R.O.N.G. and healthy community in a fun and empowering environment. Fitness has consumed my personal and professional life, and I would not have it any other way. At 210 pounds, I live an incredibly healthy and active life with a desire to help thousands of people achieve their fitness goals.