Hello fellow gymwhale, my name is Katia -

I’m not a fitness expert, a trainer, or someone who has everything figured out. "Gymwhale" originally started on my TikTok, commented over and over on videos of me working out, trying to shame me for being open about my fitness journey. Instead of hiding from it, I decided to take the word and make it my own. I liked the idea of turning something that was supposed to be embarrassing into empowerment. So we took the slur and trademarked it :)

Gymwhale isn’t about performing for anyone or proving anything to anyone. It’s about choosing yourself in quiet ways every day, showing up even when it’s not exciting, doing what you said you would, and letting progress happen at your own pace. My progress has been slow, imperfect, and very real, but I’ve learned that slow progress is still progress, and it only has to matter to me.

That’s what Gymwhale is for me, and hopefully for anyone wearing it: a reminder to care about your goals for your own reasons, to let yourself evolve in real time, and to not waste the potential you have.

— Katia <3