Gary

Gary’s journey to Los Angeles began in February of 2018. He made the cross-country trip from New Paltz, New York – a small upstate town about an hour-and-a-half north of Manhattan. During his 5 year period there, Gary mentored college athletes in the development of characteristics like accountability, consistency, resiliency, and teamwork. Gary used physical fitness to enhance these skills. The realization that these athletes would eventually become young professionals, fathers or mothers, and contributors to our society is what fed Gary’s passion to push the youth to their physical and mental limits.

The passion started back in 2011. After college, Gary believed he was destined to join the United States Military. He wanted to be part of a special forces unit. After 2 years of 6 to 8 hours a day of training, that dream did not come true. A medical condition stood in the way, and despite his top physical condition, no military branch would allow him acceptance. However, throughout the 2 years of training, Gary took note of all the questions he received from other recruits or gym-goers. It was from these questions where Gary found a new passion. That passion became physical fitness. And, the journey became one of a lifetime.

In August of 2011, Gary packed his bags and left his hometown of Scranton Pennsylvania for Aberdeen South Dakota. His dream was to become a college strength and conditioning coach. The path to that dream took its first step on September 1st, 2011. Gary worked with over 400 college athletes from September 2011 to July 2013 at Northern State University. He helped establish a philosophy of being built from the ground up, movement over muscles, and pushing the body beyond what was thought to be possible.

In August of 2013, Gary brought the philosophy mentioned above to SUNY New Paltz. SUNY New Paltz is a Division III University in upstate New York. Through hard work, and total commitment, Gary developed the first strength and conditioning program in university history. Over time the vision became more about the culture. He would tell you incomes down to the culture, and the commitment to the culture.

In February 2018 Gary brought his passion to the land of fruits and nuts. His vision is to continue the journey. And, become add another hustler to the Heart and Hustle team.