My name is Stephan Atkins. I was born in Newark, NJ, but I was raised in Pittsburgh, PA. I grew up loving the Pittsburgh Steelers, which contributed to my love for Football. Eventually, I would become a star running back at East Allegheny High School. I was offered nine Division 1 scholarships, but wasn’t committed academically. I decided to take the Junior College route for another opportunity to capitalize on what I had missed in high school. Things didn’t work out as planned and I never returned to school. For an entire year, following my return from school, I did nothing. My weight increased from 165 pounds to 215 pounds within one year. After months of feeling disgusted, I was determined to start my fitness journey.

I struggled so hard during my first day back in the gym, that I literally passed out. I found myself stretched out on a bench in the locker room, thinking to myself, “How did I allow myself to get like this.” After that day, I committed myself to changing my life. After a few short weeks, I started seeing results and feeling good. That energy is what kept me coming back. In time, I started to physically see results and I realized that you can’t truly look good until you feel good. It was in these moments, that I realized God had an entirely different plan for me. Experiencing phenomenal mental and physical improvements in myself motivated me to pursue my personal training certification, because I knew that I could help others to achieve their goals.

I moved to Maryland in 2007, because everyone around me talked about the DMV being one of the top locations in the country for health and wellness opportunities. I started my fitness career at Gold’s Gym in Rockville, MD, and quickly earned superior statistics from corporate for eight consecutive months. I worked with an array of clients from different backgrounds, which helped me to continuously cultivate my craft. I was ultimately moved by my senior clients, whom I saw some of my greatest results from. Seeing their transformations and quality of life improve before my eyes, gave me a sense of gratification for the lives I was positively impacting. It was in those moments that I found the drive to seek independence and create the brand, Tru Definition Fitness. After 9 years of working independently as, Tru Definition Fitness, in gyms across the Rockville area, I finally opened my own gym. Tru Definition Fitness is my dream manifested, and is now operating in Gaithersburg, MD.