Meet Todd Verdell Jr

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Todd Verdell Jr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Todd , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

As a child, I didn’t fully grasp my parents’ advice about the importance of hard work. Let’s talk about my mom. Where do I start? Honestly, she had about four jobs just so she could make sure I had the nicest things as other kids would. But one thing about her was that she never gave up on finding more ways to put money in her pockets. Her work ethic was unmatched because nobody could be on her level when it came to taking care of me. There was a time in my life when she was working so much that the doctor told her she had to slow down a little bit. Seeing that look on her face felt like she had failed at life. Knowing my mom, I knew nothing was going to stop her grind to take care of me. Of course, my dad was more of a hustler; he would always try to make a dollar if he could.
He taught me that you need more than one income to live well, especially since he’s had the same job since I was little and still trying to find other ways to make more income. I remember when I was about ten years old, me and him used to pick up old cable boxes from people’s homes, and he got paid for them. That showed me the hustler way; he installed them into my brain at a young age and stuck with me until I became an adult myself. I have been finding ways to make more money on the side. Seeing how hard my parents worked and the grind they had every day, I had reached that level of grit. My work ethic just doesn’t come from them, it also comes from myself. I put the time in to work on my development to produce the type of mindset they had around my age.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I always had a thing for fitness but didn’t know if I wanted to pursue it as a full-time career. It was hard for me growing up to find out what I wanted to do for my rest. My high school was unsure if I would succeed in the real world because my grades and skills didn’t meet the typical standards for my age. But going forward, that stuck with me for a while because I felt like I failed at life. In my early 20s, I returned to the fitness world, making it my full-time career until I grow old. I worked at the Havertown YMCA to gain valuable experience for my fitness business and career.
I wanted to start my own fitness company to help people with their fitness journeys, just like others around the world. That’s when I came up with the fitness business called FITGORILLA. “Our mission is to empower everyone through fitness and create a movement.”
“The program will include new and innovative strategies that set our company apart.” Our E-book will contain new updated fitness education and exercise to help the every people be successful on their fitness journey

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

In business, the ability to truly listen is invaluable. It’s not just about hearing words but understanding the deeper needs, challenges, and feedback from clients, team members, and partners. Approaching each interaction with openness allows us to soak up valuable insights, adapt, and grow. Recognizing that we don’t have all the answers fosters a culture of learning and curiosity. By listening and remaining receptive, we build stronger relationships, make informed decisions, and continuously improve in ways that benefit everyone involved.

In the fast-paced world of business, listening with intent can be a powerful differentiator. Beyond simply responding to others, true listening involves empathizing, recognizing unstated needs, and valuing others’ perspectives. This approach fosters trust and openness, creating an environment where clients feel valued and team members are motivated to contribute.

The wisdom to absorb information instead of assuming we know it all is equally crucial. Knowledge in business is ever-evolving, and embracing a mindset of continual learning allows us to stay adaptable and innovative. When we listen closely and remain humble, we create a foundation for growth, better problem-solving, and meaningful connections. It’s not about proving we know everything; it’s about showing a commitment to learning and improving—a quality that resonates with clients and partners alike. The advice i have for every reader out there just remain humble on your journey
Alright, listen up—if you’re really trying to grow, this is one of the best things you can do: get serious about listening. But I’m not talking about just hearing people out; I mean, really understanding what they’re saying, paying attention to what they’re not saying, and figuring out what’s driving them. When you stop talking and actually listen, you’ll see things you would’ve missed.

Think of it like this: every person you talk to knows something you don’t. They’ve got their own experiences, their own angle, and if you come in like you already know it all, you’re blocking yourself from real growth. So be the person who listens, who asks questions, who’s open to learning from anyone. It’ll change how you connect with people, how you handle challenges, and how you make decisions. It’s a game-changer for development.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

Right now, my biggest challenge is building trust with potential clients in my fitness business. Establishing genuine connections is crucial, but it often feels tough to stand out in such a competitive market. I want people to see that I’m not just another trainer; I genuinely care about their goals and well-being.

I’m focusing on showcasing client success stories, sharing testimonials, and creating engaging content that highlights my expertise and unique approach. Transparency is key, so I’m working on clear communication about my methods and what clients can expect.

Additionally, I want to foster a welcoming community where clients feel supported and encouraged. Group classes and social media interactions can help create that sense of belonging. Ultimately, my goal is to demonstrate that they can rely on me to guide them on their fitness journey and help them achieve real results. If you have any tips or ideas on how to effectively build trust and attract more clients, I’d love to hear them!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fitgorillallc.com
• Instagram: fitgorillahq
• Facebook: FITGORILLA