Joseph Szadok grew up as an average Levittowner. He was literally your “Average Joe.”
But at the wry age of 20, Szadok knew college wasn’t for him. He was struggling in class, and didn’t have a clear path. That was when he learned about the military, specifically, the Marine Corps.
“It was a complete culture shock,” Szadok said. “Growing up, I never expected to join the military or anything like that. I just thought it was the right move for me at the time.”
Szadok served in the Marine Corps from 2003-08. During that span, he served for seven months at a base in Iraq, as well as Japan and throughout the United States. Throughout his stint in Iraq, he was stationed with an F-18 unit, one of the elite aircraft squadrons in the military. Fortunately, he didn’t have to serve on the front lines.
When Szadok returned to America following his service, he was unsure what his next move would be.
“After I got out of the Marines, I jumped around between different jobs,” he said. “I ended up coming back home and worked at a bank. I didn’t want to sit around all day. I wanted to do something that would give me gratification about what I was doing.”
Two year
s ago, Szadok’s life changed for the better. It was time for him to change the lives of others.
He started Joe Szadok Fitness, an in-home personal training program. The former Marine is using his leadership ability to not only train people to lose weight and recover from injuries, but to feel good about themselves.
“A big part of it is discipline,” Szadok said. “In the Marine Corps, you need to do the right thing even when no one is looking. I’m like that with my clients. I’m dedicated to giving them the best I possibly can.”
What makes him different from other fitness trainers, he believes, is his dedication and diversity of clients. He’s worked with people well into their 80s, as well as a 9-year-old boy.
He does everything from helping people recover from sports injuries to regaining strength following a health incident, weight loss and more.
“This is more than just a job,” he said. “I get chills when someone tells me they’re down a certain number of pounds.”
Currently, Szadok goes in and out of people’s homes, training them where they’re most comfortable. He also does training for people at local gyms.
But as his business begins to expand, this former Marine has a lofty American dream he wants to fulfill.
“The long-term goal is to have my own studio and have people come in there,” Szadok said. “I want to be a well-known name, whether it be on Long Island, in New York or throughout the country. What will help get me there is to keep providing the service I’m providing. I dedicate myself to the clients I have.”
Whether it’s inspired Szadok to get his own studio remains to be seen. However, his life is now full of helping others.
In order to maximize his potential, Szadok has been investing in himself. He attends conferences, seminars and takes time out of his busy schedule to meet with some of America’s top fitness gurus. He picks their brains, absorbing as much information as he can.
“In December, I went to a talk in Santa Monica, CA, and I met a man named Jason Ferruggia,” Szadok said. “I went there and told him the main thing I got out of this is the direction of where to go with my business and how to improve it, not just that I’m doing OK. I want to make it the best I can. He taught me so much, not just about the business, but about myself.”
As Szadok continues to expand his fitness program, he is focusing on what he believes is right: continuing to make people feel great about themselves, just like he started to discover when he joined the Marines.
“People are going to look at me and say they’re not only happier, but they’re healthier and living the life they want to live,” he said.
For more information on Joe Szadok Fitness, visit www.joeszadok.com, message him on Instagram at @fitnesszadok21 or like the business’ page on Facebook.
