We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kenny Vertus a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kenny, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

UNRVLD Performance started from pure drive and a little bit of stubbornness.

Back in college, I already knew I didn’t want to work for someone else after graduation. So in April of my senior year, while most of my classmates were focused on finals and job applications, I was walking through Boston collecting pamphlets from gyms and fitness studios. I brought everything back to my dorm and started building a business plan from scratch.

Part of what pushed me? Two people from my school told me they couldn’t see me working with athletes. That was all the fuel I needed. I’m stubborn, and when people say I can’t, I make sure I do.

I graduated on May 13th. By May 15th, I had two athlete clients and had officially started UNRVLD Performance.

From the very beginning, I never saw myself as just a trainer. I was creating a brand. I went all in on promoting my name and services using every free platform I could find—Craigslist, Reddit, Facebook forums, whatever was available, I used it. A lot of trainers overlooked those outlets, but I saw them as opportunities to get ahead.

At the same time, the luxury apartment boom was just starting in Boston. Most trainers were waiting for clients to come to them. I was going directly to clients in those buildings. That approach helped me get into spaces other trainers weren’t in, build relationships, and host community events not just in Boston but outside the city as well.

I also knew that if I wanted to build a true brand, I needed to think bigger. I started cold messaging companies like Puma and New Balance, asking them what they looked for in talent. Eventually, someone responded, and I took those notes seriously. I curated my Instagram to reflect what they told me they wanted to see. And before long, brands started to take notice.

My first major campaign was with Under Armour for a global shoot. That’s when I realized modeling wasn’t just a one-off. It was another lane that aligned with the brand I was building. That shoot opened the door to a whole new world of opportunities.

Today, UNRVLD Performance stands for more than just training. It’s a mindset, a standard, a lifestyle. It’s about showing up obsessed, locked in, and willing to do what others won’t. Because from day one, that’s exactly what I’ve done.

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 Kenny Vertus, founder of UNRVLD Performance, a brand that started with personal training and has grown into a mix of fitness, lifestyle, and creative work. My journey into fitness began because I was actually obese growing up. At some point, I reached a moment where I knew I wanted to make a change and take control of my health and confidence. That experience shaped everything I do today.

Growing UNRVLD opened the door for me to step into modeling and work with brands like Under Armour and New Balance. I’m also signed with two modeling agencies, Maggie Inc and Tina Kiniry, which has helped me expand my creative opportunities even more.

At UNRVLD, we offer personalized training services both in person and online, designed to help people build strength, improve athleticism, and boost confidence. What sets us apart is our focus on mindset just as much as physical results. We do not just train bodies. We help people build confidence and mental strength that carries over into every part of life.

I am proudest when I see my clients grow into their most confident selves, not just physically but mentally too. I want people to feel strong and capable of accomplishing anything they set their minds to. That belief in your own potential is at the heart of everything we do.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first started my business as a Black male, I wanted to make sure I was taken seriously. I used to wear a set uniform to look as professional as possible. I was training clients at a private facility for over a year, one where you needed a special key card just to access the building, the elevator, and even the gym itself.

One day, I showed up early like I always do. Punctuality is big for me. I noticed someone I didn’t recognize staring at me, just giving me looks. I remember thinking, “This might be one of those days.” Ironically, my client that morning, a white woman, had forgotten her key card. So I let her in, and we carried on with our session.

But toward the end, a security guard came up and questioned whether I was even supposed to be there. Despite me having my own key card, showing proof that I belonged, it was clear what the real question was about. That moment stuck with me. It was a reminder that no matter how professional I try to appear, some people will still only see my skin color first.

That was a turning point. I realized that instead of trying to blend in, I needed to fully own who I am. I already stand out, so why not do it on my terms? That shift in mindset was really the birth of UNRVLD. I stopped wearing uniforms and started showing up in hoodies. Hoodies became part of my identity and part of the brand. Because at the end of the day, I’m always going to be me, and there’s power in embracing that unapologetically.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what really helped build my reputation in the market was simply showing up consistently. I was disciplined about posting on social media. People always knew what they were going to get from me: strength and conditioning work, especially ladder drills. That became my niche, and I posted relentlessly. I made sure I was seen, whether that was online or in person.

I showed up at events all over Boston and even beyond the city, even on days I didn’t feel like it. But I reminded myself, if this is the life I want to build, then I’ve got to be willing to step outside of my comfort zone. And that’s what I did. I kept showing up. I networked. I connected with others, engaged with their content, and built real relationships. That level of consistency and presence is what allowed me to build trust and credibility over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unrvldperformance.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennyvertus/

Image Credits

Zach Noka | https://www.instagram.com/nokakodaks/
Dre | https://www.instagram.com/dresayproductions/
Dave Salafia | https://www.instagram.com/davesalafia/
Natalie Reid | https://www.instagram.com/nreidphotos/

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