From 270 Pounds to Personal Trainer: How Willie Owens III Turned His Fitness Journey into a Mission to Help Others

My name is Willie Owens III, and I am currently a trainer at the Lake Community YMCA as well as a psychology major at Kent State University. My fitness journey began in 2018, at a time when I weighed 270 pounds and felt uncomfortable both physically and mentally. Two friends encouraged me to go to the gym with them, and although I was anxious and reluctant at first, I decided to go. That initial decision marked the beginning of a major lifestyle change.

During the first week, I struggled with how unfamiliar everything felt, and I didn’t enjoy the experience. Going to the gym represented a significant disruption to my routine, and adjusting to it was difficult. However, by the third week, attending the gym began to feel more natural, and I slowly developed consistency. Alongside exercise, I also had to change my eating habits, which proved to be the most challenging part of my journey. While exercise was important, I learned that it is not possible to outwork an unhealthy diet.

It took nearly a year for me to consistently manage portion sizes and become more mindful of my daily food intake. Despite the slow progress, I continued returning to the gym because of how it made me feel afterward, especially on days when I lacked motivation. I often found myself feeling impatient and wanting immediate results, but over time I realized that meaningful change requires patience. During the 2020 shutdown, I became even more committed. I went on morning runs and worked out at my uncle’s home gym, using the time off from work to stay disciplined. When I eventually weighed myself and saw that I was down to 205 pounds, I felt extremely proud of the progress I had made.

The milestone motivated me to continue pushing forward. I began weighing myself weekly, and by the summer of 2021, I reached 190 pounds. Six months later, I reached 180 pounds, a goal that once felt impossible. More importantly, it helped me realize that I wanted to support others on similar journeys. I began helping friends with their fitness goals, and many encouraged me to become a personal trainer.

After receiving consistent support from friends, family, and coworkers, I enrolled in the ISSA Certified Personal Training course in October 2024 while continuing my college studies. In February 2025, I passed the certification exam and became licensed. I applied to the YMCA in May, not fully expecting to be hired, but I was offered the position. As a trainer, my goal is to help clients experience the same sense of confidence, progress, and accomplishment that I gained through my own journey.