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When Anthony "AJ" walks into ZOOZ Fitness, he doesn't head straight for the weights or the treadmill.

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First, he finds his people.

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Coaches get fist bumps. Friends get high-fives. New athletes get a warm welcome. Before the workout even begins, AJ has already made someone's day.

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"That's probably the biggest reason he loves coming here," Liza, his mom says. "He wants to know who's going to be in class. It's all about seeing his friends."

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For AJ, fitness has never been just about exercise. It's about community, confidence, and proving—to himself more than anyone else—that he's capable of more than people might expect.

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Diagnosed with autism at age three, AJ has spent his life embracing new experiences. Now, at 17 and preparing to turn 18, he's thriving as one of ZOOZ Fitness' most dedicated athletes.

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Finding the Right Fit

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AJ joined ZOOZ Fitness nearly three years ago after his mom met founder Jake at a special needs resource fair. At the time, Jake was offering private training before opening his first gym.

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"I just thought it was such an amazing thing," she recalls. "When I found out ZOOZ had opened their own gym, I immediately knew I needed to sign AJ up."

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The timing couldn't have been better.

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Although AJ had participated in sports since he was six years old—including basketball, soccer, baseball and swimming—his family knew that staying active would become increasingly important as he got older.

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More Than a Workout

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Ask AJ why he loves ZOOZ Fitness, and the answer comes quickly.

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"I like to do yoga, Zumba, boxing and workouts," he says. "I like doing circuit training."

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Today, AJ attends five group classes every week, plus a weekly personal training session. He also participates in ZOOZ’s run club, community events, hikes and adaptive sports opportunities.

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But while the workouts keep him moving, it's the friendships that keep him coming back.

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"He loves being around people," Liza says. "When people meet AJ, they know it's going to be a good day. He's got a fist bump, he's got high-fives ready, and he's just full of joy."

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Coach Edwin sees the same thing every day.

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"The biggest thing is his energy," Coach Edwin, who has trained with AJ since he started in the group classes, says. "As soon as he comes in, he has to greet all of the coaches. He's always willing to try something new, and now he's the one welcoming new athletes."

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A Health Transformation

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The friendships have been life-changing.

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So have the results.

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A little over a year ago, AJ weighed 186 pounds. Family history of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol made his parents concerned about his long-term health.

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Through consistent workouts, healthier eating habits and support from his coaches, AJ has lost 20 pounds.

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Even more importantly, fitness has become something he genuinely enjoys.

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"He comes here because he wants to come here," his mom explains. "He's not being forced because the doctor said so. It's part of his routine. It's what he does every day."

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AJ proudly credits both healthier eating and coming to ZOOZ for helping him lose weight.

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Building Strength—and Confidence

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Coach Edwin has watched AJ's transformation from the very beginning.

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"When he first started, he was a little hesitant," Edwin says. "But once he got comfortable, he absolutely loved it here."

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Now, their personal training sessions include cardio, strength training, running, squats and preparing for new fitness goals like bench pressing.

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"I've seen so much growth," Edwin says. "Not just physically, but emotionally. He enjoys every run club, and now we're building even more strength as he's getting older."

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One thing has remained constant.

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"He won't say no," Edwin says. "Sometimes he'll tell me he's tired—but that's usually because he already finished a group class before training with me."

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Breaking Barriers

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Perhaps AJ's proudest accomplishment came outside the gym.

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He completed a Spartan Race.

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For many athletes, it's an intimidating challenge. For AJ, it became another opportunity to prove that limitations don't define what's possible.

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Watching him climb obstacles and cross the finish line left his parents emotional.

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"I'm just so proud of him," his mom says. "When he says, 'I can do it,' now you believe it because he's strong. I've seen him lift weights, run fast, and then do all of that at Spartan."

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Ask AJ what he's most proud of, and he smiles.

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"I graduated from high school," he says.

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Then he adds another accomplishment.

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"I'm strong."

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A Place to Belong

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For AJ's family, ZOOZ Fitness represents something larger than exercise.

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It's a place where athletes with disabilities are challenged—not limited.

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"They don't make it easier," his mom says. "They meet the athlete where they are and see how far they can go."

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She's watched the gym grow from a handful of weekly classes into a thriving community that changes lives—not only for athletes but for entire families.

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"It has changed our life," she says.

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Her philosophy has always been simple: teach children how to play, and they'll always have a way to connect with others.

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For AJ, that lesson has become reality.

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Whether he's boxing with classmates, joining run club, hiking with friends or simply greeting everyone who walks through the doors, he has found a place where he belongs.

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Leading With Joy

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Spend just a few minutes around AJ, and one thing becomes clear.

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His greatest strength isn't measured by how much weight he can lift.

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It's the joy he brings to everyone around him.

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Coach Edwin calls him "a ray of sunshine."

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His mom says he's living his best life.

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And AJ sums it up in the simplest way possible.

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"I always work hard."

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At ZOOZ Fitness, that hard work has made him stronger, healthier and more confident. But perhaps his biggest achievement is something no scale or stopwatch can measure.

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He's become the athlete—and the friend—that everyone looks forward to seeing walk through the door.

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