Today we’d like to introduce you to Rashad Shephard.
Hi Rashad, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I came out of the womb with a pair of dumbbells in my hands and the doctor looked at my parents and said that’s not a baby, that’s a grown man. But on a serious note, the real reason I got into fitness was due to the fact that when I tried out for football in the 6th grade, my teacher told me I was too small. Being the fragile and small kid who struggled with self confidence, that really left a mental scar. After that, I never attempted to try out again but I did make it a mission to become more physically fit.
Since my parents knew nothing about physical fitness and my genetics didn’t bless me with the size of your typical professional athlete, I knew this was something I was going to have to commit to and work hard at. So, after getting my first weight set at the age of 14, I became engulfed in the world of fitness and muscle building. Bench pressing by day, walking around and pretending I was Hulk Hogan by night. Even my family started to notice by commitment and every Christmas, they would purchase me different types of exercise equipment. Exercise Balls, Push up Bars, Pull Bars, Resistance Bands, you name it.
After finishing high school, I still wanted to continue my journey. So after enrolling in college, I decided to major in Exercise Science. I even got my Personal training certification and started teaching classes such as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Step Aerobics, Boot Camps and Powerlifting
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I found my balance, some of the struggles I faced were like one time being homeless and broke and the only thing I had was a free gym membership, so I remember actually sleeping in the gym because I had a key, I waited to everybody left, locked the gym up after closing, turn that alarm on and slept in one of the back office at gym because I had nowhere to go. Other struggles were trying to gain results without proper dieting, you need to eat right to get good results, I had more bills than money at the time, even with the jobs I had, I remember stealing food out the store, just so I can have something to eat, Was I proud of that? No, but I had to do what I needed to do because I didn’t want to starve. I hated asking my family for money, so they never knew how bad I was struggling. But it’s a light at the end of every tunnel. I’m super humbled and super blessed that God saw me through it all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Plain and simple, I’m a Fitness Guy, Personal Trainer, Class Instructor, etc. I just love lifting weight, staying in shape, and looking good. I’m known for being that guy always at the gym. I’m most proud of by just being able to still do what I love which is fitness because people will leave when the money doesn’t always be what you expect. My passion and drive sets me aside from others. Then again I stay in my own lane, so it is what it is.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being able to be Humble and just being Yourself. You have to stay passionate. I constantly remind myself on why I started doing what I love in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: ShaudTheShepFitness
Image Credits
Erin Marquez
