Some athletes are born with elite genetics. Fitman wasn’t one of them. But what he lacked in natural gifts, he made up for with unmatchable consistency, discipline, intensity, and grit. That’s how he became the 2022 NGA Mr. Natural Philadelphia champion, a pro natural bodybuilder, USATF Masters sprinter, double business owner, and a nationally acclaimed personal trainer. On top of that, he runs the Fitman X Fademan Collective in Abington. The collective includes his private gym, The Fitman Performance & Physique Center, and his exclusive barbershop, The Fademan Precision Barbershop. Fitman’s discipline and precision carry over from the weight room to the barber chair.

Fitman sat down to talk about his training style, his mindset, and why his mission is to inspire others to do better.

You’ve said you don’t have the “genetics” for bodybuilding. What do you mean?

Fitman: I wasn’t blessed with the best structure or muscle shape. I don’t have the round muscle bellies or the bone structure you see on a lot of natural pros. I’m not a freak athlete. But what I do have is consistency. I haven’t missed a workout since 2007. That’s thousands of days stacked on top of each other. Work ethic outlasts genetics when genetics don’t work hard.

Tell us about your training philosophy.

Fitman: I believe in training with purpose, passion, and intensity. Every set and rep counts. I don’t go through the motions. I attack the workout and I love challenges. That’s why I did the “Lunges of Death” ultimate challenge: 100 yards of barbell walking lunges with 185 pounds on my back. It was a cold, windy October day, and to this day no one else has ever completed it. That’s not genetics. That’s having the right mindset and the will to win.

What motivates you to keep pushing like that?

Fitman: I do it to show people what’s possible. Most people never tap into their true potential because they stop when it gets uncomfortable. But growth requires discomfort. I want people to know they have the ability to level up. I’m a naturally skinny guy, who was born in West Philadelphia and raised in Abington. I’ve got no special genetics. But I reached the pro level of natural bodybuilding and won Mr. Natural Philly after 12 years of training. I competed as a masters’ sprinter at an age when most men hang it up. My job is to eliminate excuses.

What about nutrition? How do you fuel that intensity?

Fitman: I predominantly eat for performance. Balanced meals, timed around training are one of the keys to great performances. Pre and post-workout nutrition are locked in with lean proteins and healthy carbs. I don’t drink, smoke, or pack my diet with lousy foods. If you want your body to perform at its best, you have to fuel it that way.

Do you ever enjoy a treat meal?

Fitman: Absolutely. I’m not a machine like the Terminator. Discipline doesn’t mean perfection 24/7. My favorite treat meal is a great pizza. Locally, I love Bella’s. And for dessert? Nothing tops the homemade cookies from Doc’s Cookie Table. After a grueling contest prep, a good cookie can make me weak in the knees. The key is, it’s occasional. If 80 to 90 percent of what you eat is healthy, and the quantity of the food is correct, you’re winning the nutrition game in a blowout.

You’re also a licensed master barber. How does that connect to your fitness career?

Fitman: Interestingly enough, I was the Fademan before Fitman was even a thought. I’ve been a licensed barber since 2008. The connection with barbering and fitness comes down to precision. In the gym, I build physiques with detail and discipline. In the barbershop, I create sharp looks with the same mindset. Whether I’m sculpting a physique or a fade, it’s about craftsmanship and consistency. Both fitness and barbering are about transformation. People leave better and more confident than when they walked in the door.

What do you say to people who feel stuck or unmotivated?

Fitman: Stop waiting for the perfect time to start. Stop complaining about your genetics. And for the love of the iron, stop comparing yourself to everyone else who’s already where you want to be. Start where you are, with what you have. Consistency, discipline, and intensity will take you further than you think. I’m living proof. If I can win a natural bodybuilding title and build two businesses without “elite gifts,” then you can definitely get in shape, improve your health, and change your life.

What’s the ultimate lesson from your journey?

Fitman: Consistency and discipline are undefeated. Genetics might give you a head start, but alone they won’t allow you to finish the race. Talent fades. Shortcuts fail. But if you show up, put in the work, and refuse to quit, you can build a body, a career, and a life you’re proud of. That’s what defines me.

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Fitman has published three eBooks, available globally. For more fitness tips, follow him online:

Website: FitmanPerformance.com