09/04/2026
🏆ATHLETE HIGHLIGHT #3: JOSH
Josh is a millennial like the majority of us and has been part of the BuildEmUp family for nearly a decade. At this point, calling him a client doesn’t even begin to explain it.
Josh trains at BuildEmUp three times a week. Pilates with the girls Monday night, personal training with Coach M Friday morning and Stairwell to HYROX Saturday morning. Add Zumba twice a week AND five jobs to the schedule. Josh stays BUSY.
Over the years we have trained both of Josh’s parents and his brother, celebrated birthdays and holidays together and built traditions that go way beyond fitness. Every other Friday after training we grab breakfast or do word searches together. The last 15 minutes of his personal training session are officially known as “Girl Time.” It is literally built into his hour because according to Josh, we need time to socialize with the girls too.
And if you know Josh, you know.
He is our welcoming committee, our unofficial mascot and usually somewhere front and center. He has built real, lifelong friendships here with Poodie, Emma, Kelsey and so many others. He knows everybody and everybody knows Josh.
As an autistic adult, Josh sets the bar incredibly high with his work ethic, consistency and commitment to his routines. Over the years we have worked on much more than exercise. We work on breaking patterns, navigating social interactions, building confidence and continuing to help Josh become a more independent, confident adult who feels connected to and comfortable in his community.
That is one of the things I am most proud of as his Coach. Fitness is just the vehicle sometimes.
Josh shows up. Josh works. Josh has responsibilities. Josh has friends. Josh has a community that expects things from him and a community that loves him right back.
No excuses.
Josh is an icon. Josh is a legend. Josh SETS THE STANDARD.
And BuildEmUp would not be BuildEmUp without him. ❤️
