Meet Rocco Carlo Distefano

We recently connected with Rocco Carlo Distefano and have shared our conversation below.

Rocco Carlo, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience is deeply rooted in the challenges I’ve faced and the lessons I’ve learned from them. Losing my mother just weeks before I moved to Los Angeles was one of the hardest moments of my life, but it also became a turning point. It taught me that adversity doesn’t define you—it reveals your strength.

When I took an unpaid internship at UCLA after working as a paid trainer, it wasn’t just about a career shift; it was about pursuing excellence at any cost. That decision shaped me into the coach and entrepreneur I am today, constantly striving to combine cutting-edge fitness techniques with a deeply personal understanding of my clients’ needs.

Building The Lab Athletic Club wasn’t just about creating a gym; it was about building a space where people could transform their lives in body, mind, and spirit. There were times when I faced setbacks—from financial obstacles to challenges with business partners—but I saw each challenge as an opportunity to grow.

I draw strength from the people around me—friends, family, and my incredible team—and I try to give that same support back to others. Resilience, to me, isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about using every experience, good or bad, to become stronger, smarter, and more compassionate. That’s the ethos I bring to my life and my work every day.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My journey has been about transformation—both my own and the people I work with. I’m the owner of The Lab Athletic Club, a boutique fitness and wellness space located on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. The Lab isn’t just a gym; it’s a place where clients come to achieve their best selves in body, mind, and spirit. We’ve created a space that combines state-of-the-art equipment, expert coaching, and a community-driven environment that encourages everyone to strive for their goals, no matter how big or small.

What’s exciting about The Lab is that we’re redefining what fitness means. It’s not just about lifting weights or losing a few pounds—it’s about building a formula for success in every aspect of life. We focus on strength and conditioning, aesthetic transformations, nutrition coaching, and even mental wellness practices like meditation and breath work.

Right now, we’re growing in exciting ways. We’ve recently launched a YouTube channel and are building a library of free educational content on fitness, nutrition, and aesthetics coaching. Our goal is to empower people beyond the walls of the gym with knowledge and tools to transform their lives.

We’re also hosting unique community events, like our Health and Wellness Fall Promotion, collaborating with local businesses to create an ecosystem of wellness in West Hollywood.

At The Lab, our vision is bigger than just one location. I’m focused on expanding the brand and creating a multi-city presence while maintaining the boutique, high-quality experience that makes us unique. It’s an exciting time for us, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share what we’re building with a wider audience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, three key factors stand out as the most impactful in shaping my path:

1. Resilience

Life is unpredictable, and challenges are inevitable. For me, resilience has been about finding strength in adversity and using every setback as a learning experience. Whether it was losing my mother, navigating business hurdles, or building The Lab from the ground up, resilience gave me the mindset to keep going.

Advice: Cultivate resilience by embracing discomfort and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. Start small—set goals that push you out of your comfort zone, and celebrate every win along the way.

2. Vision and Strategic Thinking

Having a clear vision for what I wanted to create—and the discipline to plan strategically—has been crucial. When I founded The Lab, I didn’t just want to open a gym; I wanted to build a community, a brand, and a movement that inspires people to achieve their best selves.

Advice: Take the time to define your “why.” What motivates you? What impact do you want to make? Write it down, create a plan, and revisit it often. A strong vision will guide you through difficult decisions and keep you focused on your long-term goals.

3. Relationship Building

The relationships I’ve built—with clients, collaborators, and friends—are the foundation of my success. Surrounding myself with people who challenge, support, and inspire me has been invaluable. Whether it’s the trainers at The Lab, my mentors, or my community, relationships are everything.

Advice: Prioritize meaningful connections. Listen more than you speak, seek out mentors, and be intentional about adding value to others’ lives. Building a strong network is as much about authenticity as it is about effort.

Final Thought:
For those just starting out, remember that success is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on developing these qualities step by step, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re often your best teachers. Keep learning, keep connecting, and keep moving forward.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

There have been many people who’ve played pivotal roles in my journey, but a few stand out. My closest friends, like my Dad, Trevor, Cory, and Luis, have been my rocks—providing unwavering support, constructive criticism, and inspiration during some of the most challenging times. Their belief in me has often fueled my own belief in myself.

I also owe a lot to the mentors and colleagues who challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, especially during my time with UCLA’s football team. Their expertise and high standards taught me the value of discipline and the importance of always striving for excellence.

Lastly, my late mother remains a constant source of strength for me. Her love and resilience have been guiding forces in my life, reminding me to persevere through even the toughest obstacles. My journey is a testament to the people who’ve stood by me, pushed me to grow, and believed in my vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thelabathleticclub.com
• Instagram: thelabsunset
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/HIPd0XTmn4