We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Phillip Trujillo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Phillip, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I have always been passionate about fitness, but it wasn’t until I became a personal trainer that I realized my approach to movement was different. While other trainers meticulously wrote programs and followed rigid plans, I felt constrained by the structure. To me the human body was a story waiting to be told, and each client brought a new chapter. I decided to embrace the unknown and challenge myself to create workouts on the fly, inspired by the movement and energy my clients brought into the room.
At first, it wasn’t easy. Five years ago, when I opened my gym I had little to start with. I knew I had to be creative with the equipment I had at the time. I was eager to make a name for myself. My first few clients looked at me skeptically when I told them, “We’re not following a script today. I want to see how your body moves, how it responds, and we’ll build from there.”
One client, Sarah, a dancer recovering from an ankle injury, hesitated. “So, there’s no plan?” she asked.
“There’s a plan,” I said with a smile. “Your body will tell me what it needs.”
We began with a series of slow, deliberate movements—lunges, stretches, and balance drills. As Sarah moved, I watched intently, noting her strengths and weaknesses. Her ankle wobbled slightly during a single-leg squat, so I adjusted the exercise, focusing on stability. By the end of the session, Sarah felt a newfound strength she hadn’t expected.
Over time, I refined my approach. I stopped viewing my clients as a collection of muscles and instead saw them as dynamic beings capable of more than they realized. Each session became an exploration—an opportunity to test the limits of strength, balance, coordination, agility, and flexibility.
One day, my longtime client Lou , a former college football player, said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re doing, but this stuff works. I feel stronger and quicker, but it doesn’t feel like a workout. It feels like I’m…moving better.”
That was the lightbulb moment for me. My method wasn’t just about building strength or speed; it was about unlocking the body’s full potential. I began to see patterns in how people moved—how one person’s tight hips led to weak core engagement or how poor balance could mask untapped agility. By focusing on natural movement, I helped my clients build a foundation of resilience and efficiency.
I started incorporating elements from every modality I learned throughout my career: strength training, yoga, martial arts, and even dance. I used kettlebells and maces for fluid power, resistance bands for controlled mobility, and bodyweight movements to test balance and coordination. Every session was different because every client was different.
After five years of experimenting, observing, and adjusting, I realized I had created something unique. I called it The Primal Flow Method —a training style rooted in the body’s natural ability to adapt, evolve, and move freely. It was a method that prioritized strength, balance, agility, coordination, and flexibility, not as separate goals but as interconnected elements of peak performance.
Now, I trains people from all walks of life—athletes, office workers, and even kids—each one discovering the power within themselves. My love for fitness and my belief in the body’s potential have created something timeless, something that transcended workouts.
The Primal Flow Method is not just a style of training. It is a philosophy, a way of life, born from years of passion, patience, and the unwavering belief that the human body is capable of greatness when allowed to move freely.
Phillip, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Growing up immersed in sports, I developed a deep fascination with the human body and its ability to move. Throughout my life, I’ve trained in various fitness modalities—jiu-jitsu, high school wrestling, yoga, swimming, and strength training. What I’ve realized is that our bodies are designed for dynamic movement, not just one style of fitness.
By integrating strength and power, speed and agility, coordination and balance, and flexibility and mobility, we create the ultimate foundation for performance, aesthetics, and, most importantly, longevity. Our company exists to inspire and motivate. We teach adaptability, encourage creativity in workouts, and prepare the body for life’s physical, mental, and emotional challenges. We love what we do.
What sets us apart is our unorthodox, nomadic approach to movement—constantly pushing limits and challenging clients to achieve what they once thought impossible. Our greatest pride lies in our ability to connect with people, helping them heal physically, build mental fortitude, and gain the strength and clarity needed to become the best version of themselves.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My wife and I started our company at the height of COVID when gyms were shutting down. We were both renting gym space to train clients, and when lockdown hit, we were left uncertain about our next steps. But our love for fitness and dedication to our clients pushed us to adapt. We began offering online yoga and HIIT circuit classes, helping people stay active at home. As our following grew, we used what little resources we had to rent a studio and record workouts. Despite the challenges, we persevered—surviving, thriving, and ultimately building our business against the odds.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
When gyms started reopening, many people were still hesitant to exercise in a studio and interact with others. With COVID regulations in place, I felt we had lost the sense of connection with our community. With limited marketing funds, I saw an opportunity to engage directly with people—getting out into the community, talking one-on-one, and demonstrating the unique fitness style we offer at our gym.
Setting up in random spots around town, we created fun challenges—like balance tests—to draw people in, encouraging them to try simple yet engaging exercises. This hands-on approach allowed us to share our passion, teach something new, and, most importantly, reconnect with people. It was a powerful experience that helped us grow our following and rebuild a sense of community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.vtltyfit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vtlty_fitness_co?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@philliptrujillo0824?si=m3qyNiJ7uqLy4-h1