How does a luxury hotel manager transform his health and life by opening a fitness studio?

Uriel Baker, a former hospitality executive turned Fit Body Bootcamp owner, shares his incredible journey from Jamaica to the U.S., his 30-year career in luxury hotels, and the wake-up call that led him to prioritize health and family.

In this conversation, Uriel reveals:

1. His Jamaican upbringing and early love for sports and hospitality.

2. The shocking health diagnosis that forced him to change his life.

3. Why he left a thriving career to open a fitness studio.

4. How he reversed pre-diabetes and lost 40 pounds without medication.

5. The mindset shift that helped him turn adversity into fuel.

Key Takeaways:

1. Health as a Priority: Uriel’s demanding career led to neglecting his health until a doctor’s warning became his turning point.

2. Courage Over Fear: He embraced courage to make life-changing decisions, even when they seemed risky.

4. Legacy Over Career: Fatherhood became his motivation to prioritize well-being over professional success.

5. Community Matters: His fitness studio became more than a business—it became a support system and a second family.

6. Uriel’s philosophy: “You either win or learn—there’s no losing if you grow from the experience.”

Timestamps:

00:00 - From Jamaica to the U.S.: Uriel’s early life and hospitality career

07:30 - The culture shock of moving from Jamaica to Newark in winter

15:45 - Climbing the corporate ladder: Promotions, relocations, and burnout

22:10 - The health wake-up call: Prediabetes, high cholesterol, and heart palpitations

30:05 - Quitting hospitality to open a fitness studio: The leap of faith

38:20 - How Fit Body Bootcamp transformed his health and community

45:00 - Reversing prediabetes and losing 40 pounds naturally

52:15 - Fatherhood as motivation: “Fix your life or lose your life”

Connect with Uriel Baker:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uriel.b876/

Fit Body Bootcamp Mason, OH: https://fitbodybootcamp.com/locations/mason-oh/

Fit Body Bootcamp West Chester, OH: ​​https://fitbodybootcamp.com/locations/west-chester-township-oh/

CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN:

Website: https://thepositivepersistence.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk