Wayne III Fitness
Meet Wayne
If you’re looking for a trainer who actually "gets it," meet Wayne. He’s a personal trainer here in Charlotte who spends his days training clients, from top chefs, to pro MMA fighters, to regular people like you and me. But the guy knows a thing or two about keeping people in shape.
My Weight Loss Journey
Before I met Wayne, I was FAT. I don’t mean I’d gained a few "croissant pounds" from a summer in Paris; I was unhealthily and very overweight. At 6’ tall, I was hovering just below 300 lbs. I’ve always been a bigger guy, but between high-stress jobs, skipped workouts, constant travel, and eventually a career that literally requires me to eat out... it just happened. Not to justify it, but my bloodwork always came back from the doctor fine and my dating life was good…I felt happy, so I just ignored the reality.
One day I decided to make a change. I’d never had success with trainers in the past. Most of them took a "one size fits all" approach. They had the knowledge and certifications, sure, but they have zero interest in adjusting the program to reach your goals. Even the motivation tactics were copy and paste, “Come on. Come on. Give me one more. Just one more”. And that drill sergeant approach does not work for me. But in an effort to change, I posted to my socials looking for recommendations, when I got a message from Wayne.
The Results (So Far)
Fast forward 1.5 years, and I’m still lifting with Wayne a couple times a week. At my lowest, I lost 90 pounds while improving strength. Yes, diet changes have played a big role, but I wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without Wayne.
The Highlight: My arms. They actually started shaping up to the point where strangers would compliment them. Having my arms complimented? I never thought that would happen in my life, but early on, Wayne asked what my goals were and we started building towards them.
The Reality Check: I’ve gained about 20 back between Holiday Celebrations and Food Festival Season (though 5 of that is muscle). Weight ebbs and flows though, and my pants still fit, so let’s just say I’m in the "bulk" phase before I go through another "cut." Life is about balance and a foodie, I still need to enjoy myself.
Why Wayne is Different
Wayne has the same technical knowledge as every other trainer I’ve worked with, but his approach is what sets him apart. He’s a master at walking that fine line: he knows exactly how to push you without overdoing it. Unlike the "cheerleader" types, he actually encourages me to take a rest when I need it—no guilt involved if I’m lying on the floor for a minute to catch my breath. If an old injury flares up, we don’t just muscle through; we pivot, adjusting the motion or the entire plan to keep the progress going. He also explains the “why” behind each specific lift, which I find very helpful, given the way I process information. But the real difference is our now friendship. Our conversations aren’t painfully superficial. We actually know each other beyond the cash exchange. I can tell you what’s happening in his life, what he’s excited about, even where his sister goes to school. And vice versa, he could tell you about my latest date and upcoming projects I’m hyped about. He takes a genuine interest in you, which makes the time fly. It’s a total game-changer.