We recently connected with Coach Torrez and have shared our conversation below.

Coach, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Risk-Taking and the Road to TNT Gym

Getting TNT Gym to where it is today has been a journey paved entirely with risk—calculated, passion-driven risk.

After earning my second degree in Exercise Science, I landed a secure job as an Exercise Specialist in Cardiac Rehab. Good pay, great benefits, stability. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t where I wanted to be in five years. That’s when the first leap came.

Risk #1: I walked away from stability to become a contracted Strength & Conditioning Coach. I rented space at a local gym and launched my own training business. The initial hit to my paycheck and loss of benefits was real—but so was the thrill of finally doing what I loved.

Risk #2: I invested in some equipment and moved the business home, to what became known as the Original TNT Garage of Excellence. Our humble two-car garage became a training haven. No rent, no commute—and I got to work surrounded by my kids, my dogs, and my garden. It was unconventional, but it worked.

Risk #3: A longtime friend offered me the chance to lease a 2,400 sq ft building and take TNT to the next level. It was a big jump from my cozy garage setup. I’d be stepping out not just as a coach, but as a real business owner. Having a partner to share the load gave me the courage to go for it. TNT Gym V2 was born—and then came 2020. We weathered the COVID storm, and though my business partner eventually moved on, I chose to keep going solo.

Risk #4: At the end of 2024, two longtime friends—also small business owners and gym clients—offered me the opportunity to move into a bigger space, 1,000 sq ft larger than our current setup. We’d been thriving in our previous location for eight years. It was familiar, stable, and working well. But I could see we were beginning to outgrow it. The upgrade came with increased overhead and the uncertainty of starting fresh in a new neighborhood. We moved in February 2025— TNT Gym V3—and not only held steady, but continued to grow.

Every one of these “risks” brought us here: a successful, growing gym rooted in passion and purpose. But I didn’t do it alone. My friends, clients, and family have all played a part. And at the center of it all is my wife. She has taken every risk with me, supported me unconditionally, all while being an incredible nurse and an even better mother.

What I’ve learned through it all is this: risk creates opportunity—but only when it’s aligned with passion. I’ve followed a simple formula, and it’s served me well, in business and in life:
1. When faced with choices, act on the one that excites you the most. That’s your passion talking.
2. Follow that path with the best of your ability, with energy and intention.
3. Release expectations about the outcome. If you commit fully, you’ll either succeed or learn. Both are wins.
4. Stay positive throughout the journey.

TNT Gym is more than a business—it’s a testament to what happens when you bet on yourself, over and over, and back it with purpose and grit.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m the owner and head Strength Coach at TNT Gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For those who haven’t heard of us yet, we’re a strength-focused, community-driven gym that’s proudly family-owned and operated. We specialize in personal training, small group training, and youth strength development, and we pride ourselves on being a drug-free, ego-free space for everyday people to become exceptionally strong—mentally and physically.

My journey into this field wasn’t a straight path, but it was always rooted in a deep love for strength and human performance. I earned my degree in Exercise Science and started out in the clinical world, working as an Exercise Specialist in Cardiac Rehab. While the job was secure and fulfilling in many ways, I knew in my gut that I wanted something different. I wanted to work directly with people who were ready to train hard, grow strong, and take charge of their health—not just recover from illness, but prevent it through strength.

So, I took the leap.

I left my stable job, gave up my benefits and steady paycheck, and started training clients independently by renting space at a local gym. From there, TNT was born in my own two-car garage—what we affectionately called the Garage of Excellence. Eventually, I moved into our first commercial space, and today we’re operating out of our newest location in Northwest Albuquerque, having grown every step of the way through personal risk, community support, and a whole lot of grit.

What We Offer:
TNT Gym provides private coaching, group strength classes, youth athletic development, and customized training programs. Whether you’re a busy adult who wants to get strong and stay healthy, a young athlete looking to build a solid foundation, or someone tired of gimmicks and looking for a training home with real results, TNT is for you.

We’re not a “fitness trend” kind of place. No flashy machines or empty promises. We coach movement, discipline, and strength with intention. Our programming is practical, proven, and personal. And perhaps most importantly, we coach people first—helping them build confidence, resilience, and long-term health through the barbell and beyond.

What Sets Us Apart:
In a world flooded with fitness noise, we’re grounded in fundamentals. We value consistency over quick fixes, community over clout, and strength over aesthetics. Our gym doesn’t cater to influencers—it’s built for real people. Moms, dads, teens, grandparents, first responders—you name it.

We’re also one of the few gyms in Albuquerque that actively promotes a drug-free environment, prioritizes individual attention, and fosters a true family-first culture. People come here for strength, but they stay for the support.

What I’m Most Proud Of:
Without a doubt, it’s the community we’ve built. TNT Gym has never been just about barbells and PRs—it’s about people. I’m proud that this gym has become a safe, inspiring, and empowering place for so many to grow. I’m especially proud that my family—my wife and kids—have been part of this from the beginning. My wife has taken every risk alongside me while excelling in her own career and raising our children with strength and grace.

What I Want People to Know:
We’re here for the long haul. This isn’t a side hustle or a trend. TNT Gym is built on a lifetime of passion, and it’s built for people who want to work hard, stay consistent, and be part of something real.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

It’s actually pretty simple: I stick to what I do best—coaching strength. I attract people who want to get stronger, then guide them until they can feel and see the difference. No smoke, no mirrors.

I never promise results I’m not qualified to deliver. Instead, we measure progress in hard numbers. We log every key lift, week by week, so clients watch their totals climb and know they’ve earned every pound.

But the magic isn’t only in the weight room. We host gym parties, poker games, outings, fundraisers—moments that turn training partners into friends. That shared experience builds a real community, and community is what keeps new faces walking through the door and longtime members coming back for more.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

This one’s tough to answer, because I don’t spend much time thinking about my “reputation.” But I’d hope people see me as someone who’s honest, consistent, and genuinely passionate about strength and fitness.

I’ve always stuck to my core convictions, even when it meant turning away individuals that didn’t align with our values. I don’t chase trends, and I don’t pretend to be something I’m not. I also believe in supporting—not competing with—other local gyms. I make it a point to not talk negatively about fellow small businesses and have actually reached out over the years to ask questions, share ideas, or even collaborate.

At the end of the day, I hope we’re seen as a trusted presence in the community—a gym that does things the right way and is here for the long haul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tntgymabq.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tntgymabq/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tntgymabq

Image Credits

Photographers:
Adam Jones
Terri Rees