My brother (Dwayne Butler) was a competitive bodybuilder and power lifter so I used to check out his shows and magazines as a child. I also used to watch Corey Everson’s Bodyshaping and Kiana Tom’s Flex Appeal back in the day, but usually with the remote in one hand and a bowl of Doritos in the other! I was really only interested in watching the ladies but occasionally I would try a few exercises when I actually felt inspired to get off the couch. It wasn’t until an 8th grade gym class when we were forced to workout that I realized that I was pretty good at it. Then came high school football and track where I continued to lift during those seasons but I soon reverted back to my lazy ways towards the end of high school when I focused more on making money than making muscles. I’d just do the occasional “date workout” to pump up my arms and flatten my stomach. That trend continued until I finally decided to stop wasting my free gym access at Rutgers University and I’ve been hooked ever since!

Working out is now such a part of my routine that there’s a tremendous guilt when I don’t go. I feel like a sinner at the confessional booth when I miss a gym day. I enjoy pushing myself to new levels and seeing the results of my efforts. I also enjoy the camaraderie and atmosphere inside of the gym. It’s a joy to inspire and help others reach their fitness goals each day.