TransfOrming Lives
the selected participants go through
One Workout at a Time
DePew’s program for 90 days free, with
one stipulation: that they commit to the
program 100 percent.
Dave DePew and his Grinder Gym team teach DePew requires BTC participants
progression over instant perfection.
to exercise at Grinder Gym and follow
a designated nutrition and supplement
by hallie shere
plan, in addition to using the spon-
sor’s product. Progress is measured
periodically during the program. When
Although men and women of all ages visit fitness trainer Dave DePew because
it ends, “after” photos are taken and a
they want to lose weight, gain muscle mass or increase their level of fitness, many
few group members are chosen to give
are surprised to discover that following his program for only three months trans-
on-camera or written testimonials about
forms more than bodies—it changes lives. This is just what the owner of Grinder
their product experiences.
Gym envisioned when he set his personal and professional goal of motivating and
“BTC is a win-win situation for
teaching others how to lead a healthier, more fit lifestyle.
everyone involved,” says DePew. “Par-
DePew was only eight years old when he picked up his first set of weights to,
ticipants are given the tools they need
“get the athletic look that girls like,” and to stand up to the bullies who teased him.
to lose weight and gain self-confidence,
However, he quickly became aware that he needed to build confidence and self-
the product manufacturers earn testi-
esteem more than muscles to achieve his goals—an insight that led him to become
monials from ‘real people,’ and I have
a professional fitness trainer and nutritionist. While pushing himself to the edge
the opportunity to continue fulfilling
of his physical limits, DePew realized that, through hard work and dedication, he
my mission: teaching individuals how
could achieve whatever he wanted.
to be the best that they can be, starting
He launched his personal training career in 1991, at age 17, with the mission of
on day one of the program and hope-
helping others use fitness as a catalyst to become their best in all areas of life. Today,
fully, continuing for a lifetime.”
his Grinder Gym, located outside the San Diego World Gym, in Pacific Beach, offers
members a one-hour bootcamp class led by DePew or another Grinder professional
Grinder Gym is located at 2949 Gar-
trainer. DePew says, “My classes are a fun and intense blend of cardio, free weights,
net Avenue, in San Diego. For more
abdominal work, sports drills and some yoga and kettle bell work, as well. The hour
information, call 858-581-3090 or
passes quickly because participants are always doing something different and are
visit GrinderGym.com. Connect with
constantly being challenged by the next exercise.” Gym members, who range from
Dave DePew and the Grinder personal
triathletes to reformed couch potatoes, encourage each other, work as hard as pos-
trainers via email: Dave DePew, Dave@
sible and strive for “progression over instant perfection,” DePew’s approach as he
davedepew.com; David Altman, Dav-
embarks clients on a lasting fitness lifestyle.
idAltman@davedepew.com; Karin Car-
In 2005, DePew’s successful programs caught the attention of fitness product
rillo, Karin.Carrillo@gmail.com; Reza
manufacturers seeking testimonials and test groups for their products. A business
Garajedaghi, califsb29@yahoo.com;
relationship was born: the Body Transformation Club, or BTC. Companies with prod-
Andres Garcia, fd2blk78@gmail.com;
ucts that require advertising testimonials contact DePew, who canvasses the commu-
May Leethanachai, may.davedepew@
nity to find people who want to lose weight, gain energy and increase fitness. After
gmail.com; and Jimmy Pember, JPemb-
an audition process that includes an interview, questionnaires and photo evaluation,
esh@yahoo.com.
34
San Diego Edition www.na-sd.com
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