Today we’d like to introduce you to Sako Yakinian.
Hi Sako, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was that 15-year-old kid who fell in love with working out. I didn’t connect with school, didn’t have a direction, and by 21 I still hadn’t held a “real” job. But the gym, that was my thing. I got into personal training and started working with a 17-year-old kid who had just lost both his parents. I helped him lose over 115 pounds and completely change his life. That moment locked me in. I knew this wasn’t just about workouts. It was about people, belief, and transformation.
From there, I went all in. I committed all of my 20’s to one thing, No Limit. I opened my own place, built a community, and created something people now call their “third place” not home, not work, but the one place where they can focus on themselves and feel seen and supported. That mattered to me because I saw how many people didn’t have anyone to believe in them. I wanted to be that someone. I wanted No Limit to be that place.
Sixteen years later, we’ve been voted Best Personal Training Gym in Placentia, and even recognized as one of the best places to work out in Orange County by CBS and Fox. But honestly, those awards are just a bonus. What I’m most proud of is the lives we’ve helped change and the tens of thousands of dollars we’ve raised for people in our community going through medical battles, all through fitness events and the power of people showing up for each other.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Far from smooth. COVID hit us hard in 2020. We lost 68 percent of our revenue and had to close our doors for months. We put up tents outside, ran virtual workouts, did whatever it took to stay alive. I didn’t take a paycheck for nine months just to keep the business going. My team stepped up big time. They didn’t just do their jobs, they owned it. That’s a huge part of why we made it through.
Then in 2021, I got hit with something I never saw coming. I was diagnosed with a rare condition called MOGAD, it attacked my nervous system, left me paralyzed, and I spent over a month in the hospital. It took over a year and a half to relearn how to walk and do basic things again. During that time, my team didn’t miss a beat. They took care of our clients, kept the mission going while I focused on recovery. That kind of loyalty and leadership, you can’t fake it. That’s family.
Then in 2024, I had a heart attack. I eat clean, I train, I take care of myself, but the doctors chalked it up to genetics. I was out for over three months, and mentally that was the hardest battle yet. I genuinely wondered if I should shut it all down and just focus on my health. But No Limit is more than a business to me. It’s part of who I am. And I knew I couldn’t walk away from the team or the people we serve.
And through all of that, the business, the setbacks, the victories there’s one constant I could always count on: my wife. She’s been my rock through every dark season. She believed in me when nothing made sense, and she kept our world steady when everything else felt chaotic. And my daughters, man, they’re everything. They’re six and four now, and No Limit has given me something I didn’t realize I was building in those early years, the freedom to be present. I’ve never missed a moment with them. No games skipped, no school events passed on. That’s what the sacrifice in the beginning was really for. And I’d do it all again just to have that.
Having that unshakeable faith, no matter how hard things are to keep going knowing there’s a bigger plan.
As you know, we’re big fans of No Limit Personal Training. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
No Limit Personal Training specializes in helping busy adults get stronger, look and feel better, and live longer with confidence. We also run elite youth strength and conditioning programs for athletes ages 10 to 15. But at our core, we’re not just a gym. We’re a team. And that’s our difference. The coaches here genuinely care. We don’t chase gimmicks or trends. We build real programs with real results, and we make sure every single person who walks in here feels supported.
The culture matters. We’ve created a community of like-minded people who root for each other. That energy is contagious, and it’s something people feel the moment they step in. What I’m most proud of? The team. Hands down. Their commitment, their heart, their consistency, they’re the reason we’re still standing and growing. They make it happen.
We offer:
Semi-private personal training-this is our premium program, fully customized and designed for people serious about real transformation.
Group strength and conditioning classes- high energy, results driven, flexible schedule, and rooted in functional strength.
Youth performance training- sport-specific strength, speed, and injury prevention for young athletes.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Books:
Leaders Eat Last,
The Four Agreements
The Go-Giver
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Podcasts:
Modern Wisdom
DOAC
The Game with Alex Hormozi
I love hearing Pastor Steven Furtick. His messages have helped me stay grounded through some heavy storms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nolimitpt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolimitpt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nolimittraining
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLimitPT
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/no-limit-personal-training-placentia-5
