We’re looking forward to introducing you to Carlos Espinal. Check out our conversation below.
Carlos, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
What’s really bringing me joy lately is a bit of a simple one: it’s coming home from work and seeing my wife and kids. I know it might sound cliché, but watching my children grow up and seeing the amazing people they’re becoming makes me feel so fulfilled. It reminds me that all the hard work I put in is for them and my wife, and it brings me a lot of satisfaction knowing I can provide for my family.
It’s actually similar to the joy I find in seeing my clients achieve their goals and overcome challenges with the help of hard work, training, discipline, dedication, and determination. Both experiences are about seeing people you care about succeed and thrive, and that’s a feeling I truly cherish.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Carlos Espinal, and I’m a private personal trainer. I was born in the Dominican Republic, and fitness became a huge part of my life thanks to my older brother. Growing up, I was really skinny, and I always admired his strength and dedication to training. He was my inspiration.
When I was around 16, I started lifting weights, and I quickly fell in love with it. I spent countless hours in the gym, learning about different movements and techniques. As I began to see my own body transform and get stronger, my passion grew. I even competed in a few powerlifting competitions and won.
After I moved to the United States, a man who had heard about my passion for fitness reached out to me, wanting me to train him. He was the one who encouraged me to get my personal trainer certification so I could officially become his coach. I’m so grateful for his support, as that small push was the start of my journey as a professional trainer.
Now, as a private trainer, I’m honored to help people achieve their fitness goals. It’s truly my passion to help my clients feel good in their own bodies and live a healthy, active life.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Thinking about my own journey, the part of me that has served its purpose and must be released is the fear of failure.
Early in my life, that fear pushed me to work incredibly hard, whether it was lifting weights for a new competition or studying for my certification. It was the drive that helped me win competitions and take that first step in becoming a professional trainer.
As I’ve grown, I’ve learned that fear can also hold me back. It can stop me from trying new things with clients or training philosophy. I’ve realized that failure isn’t a bad thing. In fact, the experiences and lessons we gain from setbacks are what truly make us better.
Releasing that fear has allowed me to be more present and innovative. It has taught me to see what some might call a “failure” not as a final stop, but as a stepping stone toward a better way of helping my clients achieve their goals. It’s about moving from a mindset of being scared to fall to being excited to grow.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up. It was in 2020 when I had just gotten a new partnership with a gym. It felt like everything was coming together, and then COVID hit. The government mandated lockdowns, and in what felt like an instant, I lost the gym and my partnership. For a moment, it truly felt like everything I had worked for was gone.
But in that difficult time, God made my clients my biggest support system. They didn’t want to stop training; they told me to take everything I could and set up a new space at my house. With their encouragement, I built a small training space in my garage. I started training a very select group of people, exclusively through referrals from my loyal clients.
That experience taught me that my business isn’t just a physical space; it’s built on the relationships and trust I have with people. I’m grateful for that challenging time because it showed me the true meaning of partnership and proved that my passion for helping others is stronger than any obstacle.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I believe that people are not training because they want to be healthy. That is a secondary reward they get for their hard work.
In my experience, the honest truth is that people go to the gym because they want to look and feel good. The desire for a physical change—to be more confident in their clothes, to feel stronger, or to simply like what they see in the mirror, is the primary motivation that gets most people to sign up.
The only time health becomes the first priority is when a doctor delivers a serious warning, making it a matter of life or death. Otherwise, the pursuit of feeling and looking good is the driving force. Understanding this has been essential for me as a trainer because it allows me to connect with clients on their real goals, and through that hard work, the incredible reward of a healthier life follows naturally.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
There are honestly just two moments when I feel at peace.
The first is when I’m at the gym. For me, it’s more than just a place to work out; it’s like going to church or a retreat. Every drop of sweat is a release of stress, a form of therapy that allows me to disconnect from the world and connect with myself on a deeper level. In that space, I can find a quiet sense of peace.
The second moment is when I’m home and my whole family is together. Just seeing everyone in one place talking, smiling, and even arguing a little bit brings me a profound sense of peace. It’s the simple truth that we are together that makes me feel grounded and complete.
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