Ethan Campuzano is on a mission to impact the lives of young men across America by helping them to change how they see themselves, their bodies, and their health. The Founder/CEO of Primitive Up and a personal trainer, Ethan spends much of his time at the gym, where he shows each client that the road to a more fulfilling life begins with believing in himself and in their ability to train their body. On Instagram, where he has over 50K followers, Ethan invites people who are struggling with low self-esteem to reach out, and he frequently posts about the necessity of self-improvement and personal responsibility. We hung out with Ethan to learn more about his journey to becoming a health-and-wellness influencer in an age when it is common, even accepted, to be mentally and physically unhealthy.
“I began helping other men with losing weight, exercising, and eating better because I could see that our society was at a crossroads,” Ethan explains. “For so many years, we have believed that being overweight or unhealthy is okay. Yet, it has so many negative impacts on our lives. Why not avoid as many of those problems as we can? I decided to work with young men because I thought that by helping them improve their health, they could enjoy decades of better living.”
Ethan understands the difficulties anyone faces when they decide to adopt a fitness lifestyle. Back in high school, most of the people at the gym were the star athletes and fitness gurus. It also was challenging to find accurate information about how the body responds to workouts, how it rebuilds muscle, and how to eat well and refuel yourself.
“All of this meant that while I had a deep interest in fitness when I was younger, I didn’t understand it completely,” Ethan remembers. “Fortunately, I kept at it and was introduced to some incredible people who have mentored me at the gym.”
Ethan says he was fortunate to meet Chris Hitchko, a personal trainer who has helped Ethan to develop his own career as a qualified personal trainer. With Chris’ suggestions, Ethan saw rapid improvement and realized he had a passion for exercise science.
After high school and college, Ethan joined the Marine Corps, which deepened his commitment to physical and emotional health. It became such a vital part of his life that Ethan ultimately decided to start his own business. Today, he comes alongside young men who are struggling with self-esteem and health issues, showing them how to take charge of their lives and futures by focusing on health, wellness, and nutrition.
At Primitive Up, Ethan offers personalized workouts, customized nutrition plans, video demonstrations, a progress tracker, a mobile app, email support, and a Facebook private group. He focuses on guiding everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle each day without being deprived of good food and fun.
While watching his clients become proficient in the gym is satisfying, Ethan says his biggest joy is seeing the mental transformation they undergo. Many who originally felt unsure of themselves or even depressed about their lives slowly regain their confidence, many for the first time.
“When young men learn to confidently carry outward strength, the world opens for them,” he believes. “Emotional strength is just as crucial as physical strength. I have seen individuals who were considering suicide learn to appreciate themselves and the incredible potential they have. All because they believe in themselves and are committed to living well.”
Ethan invites anyone who is looking for an authentic community that will support them in reaching their fitness goals to reach out to him on Instagram.
“Loyalty is not just a tattoo. Love is more than a quote. You can be happy,” Ethan says. “Remember: drop the people around you who want you to remain unhealthy and overweight. Come to the gym so that you can feel better in time. Work on creating a better future for yourself by picking up some dumbbells and putting the right food in your body.”
Ethan Campuzano is a qualified personal trainer and the Founder/CEO of Primitive Up. Using customized workout and nutrition plans for each client, Ethan guides their path in the gym, in the kitchen, and in their mind to help them develop physical and emotional strength. To connect with Ethan, please reach out to him on Instagram or his website.
