Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Diez.
Ellie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve called Los Angeles home for the past ten years. When I first moved here, my dream was to transition my theater acting career from stage to screen. But the reality of LA driving—racing from West Hollywood to auditions across the 405—was a shock for someone who’d only ever driven during beach vacations.
In New York, I thrived on constant motion: subways, stair sprints, weaving through crowds, changing at Starbucks between rehearsals. To move that way in LA, I first had to learn to really drive—and in that process, my path began to shift. Slowly, I stepped away from acting and leaned into a passion that gave me just as much fulfillment, confidence, and purpose: fitness.
I became a personal trainer in 2018. My journey started at Crunch WeHo, where I first worked the front desk, then became a group fitness instructor, and eventually a certified personal trainer. Teaching group classes reignited my love for performance—leading a room, raising the energy, mixing music, cracking jokes, and turning workouts into full-blown experiences.
As my career evolved, I became increasingly drawn to corrective exercise, helping clients move beyond restrictions, build awareness, and deepen their connection to movement. I love educating clients on how the body works—explaining muscle engagement, balance, and functional strength in ways that help them train smarter and move with confidence.
Today, I train independently out of OPVS Fitness on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. I split my time between the studio, clients’ homes, outdoor sessions, online training, and teaching classes at Crunch and Equinox.
In 2024, I took my passion for fitness and performance to the next level by competing in the WNBF Bodybuilding Amateur Competition, where I earned first place in the Masters category, second in Overall and was awarded my Pro Card. On November 23rd, I’ll step on stage again at the WNBF World Championships here in Los Angeles where I plan to finish the season strong!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles? I’ve had plenty—but I’ve learned to see them as lessons that made me stronger, smarter, and more grounded. When I first moved to LA, I went through what felt like an entire casting call of roommates—some of whom could have inspired an episode of Worst Roommate Ever.
Money was tight back then. I bartended at the ACE Hotel for several years, often working late into the night and then waking up at dawn to teach fitness classes. It was a time that tested my patience and grit—balancing exhaustion with determination, all while trying to build something meaningful for myself.
Thankfully, my last roommate changed everything. Manar, a wonderful woman from Yemen, became not only a great roommate but a close friend. She completely restored my faith in people. After all the chaos, meeting her reminded me that genuine, kind souls really do cross your path when you need them most.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Because I’ve always needed a creative outlet, I couldn’t help but start something new—a podcast. After ten years of working as a personal trainer in LA, I wanted to share the basics of health and fitness from a real, insider’s perspective: what it’s actually like behind the scenes.
The show features me and my co-host, Jeremy—he’s also a trainer and a physical therapist. Together, we dive into everything from how to properly execute a push-up to breaking down what carbs really are—and everything in between. It’s educational, but with our own playful banter and real-world stories mixed in.
Our podcast will launch in 2026 and be available live on all major platforms. Look out for “Trainer Bites” coming to you soon!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Being successful in the fitness industry means understanding every part of it. You can’t just train clients—you have to learn the business from the ground up. I believe education and hands-on experience are everything. How can you speak confidently about something if you haven’t lived it yourself?
When I first started, I was folding towels at the gym. I did every job that came my way, and each one taught me something about people, service, and professionalism. Surround yourself with those you can learn from, stay curious, and never think any task is beneath you. Every experience adds another layer to your success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Ellie_diez
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-diez-6494a58
- Youtube: @elliediez
Image Credits
Nick Colvill, Better Aesthetics
LEOROD
Maya Adrabi
Kate Romero
