Rashaad has always been something of an intriguing figure in my life. As he shares in our interview, I first noticed him years ago at the gym-back when I was still drinking heavily and carrying extra weight. We’d occasionally cross paths at Ralph’s too; his cart neatly stacked with nourishing food to fuel his training, mine filled with wine and whatever indulgence I craved to soothe the aftermath of a hangover.

For years, that was the extent of our acquaintance. Then came the heartbreaking loss of Doug Fruchey-an extraordinary presence at Gold’s Gym and a dear friend of Rashaad’s. At his memorial, our paths intertwined more deeply. In a way, the Gold’s Gym community bonded through that grief, a silent vow forming among us to look after one another with greater care.

During my “happy hour years,” I often found myself wondering how Rashaad could possibly maintain the discipline to rise before dawn and train daily. Some mornings, his Instagram stories were the only thing that pushed me out of bed and into the gym rather than surrendering to the inertia of self-pity.

I would arrive to find him already there, alongside Doug, Mike, and a handful of other OGs, and I felt painfully out of place-hungover, bloated, self-conscious. Yet there was an irresistible pull to keep showing up. Something told me that if I could push through the discomfort, perhaps I could inch closer to becoming someone stronger, healthier, better. Doug’s death shook me profoundly, reopening the wound of losing my own best friend in a similar way. It was a stark reminder: I had to change. With the help of the Gold’s Gym family, I did.

Friendships like these are woven throughout that gym-a quiet, daily exchange of encouragement, accountability, and loyalty. In our conversation, Rashaad and I talk about this community, how it has shaped our mental health, and how discipline and mindful living are often unfairly branded, while overindulgence is normalized. He also shares his own journey into bodybuilding, with all the challenges and triumphs along the way.

Rashaad is one of my “gym besties.” We hardly ever speak outside those walls, yet I know he’s invested in my growth just as I am in his. And on the days I falter, I know I could call him-and more likely than not, he’d make time to join me for a much-needed cheat meal.

I hope you enjoy an insight to a very important chapter of my recovery ,

golds gym and its extraordinary members