We were lucky to catch up with Brenden Menefee recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Brenden with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
The same place most kids from the inner city of Detroit get it from: fear.
The fear of going back to the life I once lived.
The fear of disappointing myself—and the people who believed in me.
The fear of not being as fortunate the second time around.
The fear of returning to the very place that scarred me, the place that claimed so many of my childhood friends.
That was then.
Now, my work ethic comes from my faith—and from the excitement of knowing that everything I once wanted and needed can still be mine, through active patience and participation.
It’s like riding your first few roller coasters.
The first couple of times, you’re nervous. Eyes squeezed shut. White-knuckled grip on the seatbelt and safety bar, holding on for dear life—just trying to make it to the end.
By the third or fourth ride, your eyes are wide open. You feel the wind on your skin. Your hands are in the air. You still follow the safety rules, but you’re no longer clinging to them out of fear—you trust they’ll hold when they need to.
Life works the same way, especially when it comes to “making it.”
Enjoy the view. Take mental pictures. Create memories along the ride. Let faith replace some of the fear.
One day you’ll look back and realize the grind mattered just as much—if not more—than making it out. This was never the destination, just a checkpoint. Fear got me moving, but faith is what’s gonna carry me forward without dragging me back.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Brenden Menefee. I’m a certified personal trainer and the owner of Brick By Brick Fitness, LLC. I’ve been training for two years and running my own business for the past seven months.
What I do doesn’t look like the industry standard—and that’s on purpose.
My training is built on three things: elusiveness, education, and entertainment.
I grew up in an all-Black neighborhood, and from a young age I watched people put their health on the back burner until it finally caught up with them. Doctor visits. Pills. Diagnoses that came too late. At Brick By Brick, we train to be elusive—so our health can’t easily run us down. Whether it’s high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, or chronic illness, the goal is to stay ahead instead of trying to recover after the damage is done.
Education matters here. I don’t believe in just running people through workouts. I teach clients how their bodies work, how to move correctly, how to lift with purpose, how to eat to support their goals, and how to recover so they can keep showing up. The goal isn’t dependency—it’s ownership.
And we make it enjoyable. Most people see exercise as punishment or a chore, but that mindset is backwards. Moving your body is a privilege. It’s something people lose every day. We work hard, but we also make it something you want to come back to.
Brick By Brick Fitness isn’t about quick results or shortcuts. It’s about building something that lasts.
So if you’re ready to take your health seriously and build a better life the right way—start brick by brick.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Top 3 Skills I Started With
Empathy.
I knew early the life around me wasn’t what I wanted—but I never put myself above my community. If I saw a problem, I felt responsible to bring a solution, not shame people already living with the consequences.
Coachability.
I put in the hours and learned the craft, but I stayed open. You don’t have to have what I have to teach me something. Humility keeps you sharp.
Faith.
None of us knows how this ends. You just do the work and trust it’s moving in your favor. Faith is what keeps you steady when results lag.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
I like this question because my ideal client isn’t about fitness level—it’s about commitment.
I’m looking for someone serious about their future. Someone who didn’t get forced into training but sought it out. I don’t mind convincing people why this matters, but the ones who raise their hand first are always the most receptive.
I actually love clients with little to no gym experience—or even a bad first experience. Poor results, bad coaching, or just hating the environment—but still willing to try again. That tells me everything about their “want to.” How bad they really want change.
What excites me most is taking a skeptic and showing them what training can actually be. When they leave with results, confidence, and knowledge—and take that back to their family or community—that’s the real win. Not just changing one life, but starting a ripple effect.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brickbybrick.fitness?igsh=MW80NW5oMmdtNWwzcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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