Conversations with Giorgio Merlino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Giorgio Merlino.

Hi Giorgio, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Looking at me now, you’d never imagine who I used to be.

I was born and raised in Milan, Italy—a place known for fashion and elegance, but my childhood looked very different. Sports didn’t interest me; I preferred romantic movies and mythological books like The Odyssey. At 12, I was diagnosed with obesity. I had no close friends, and random bullying became my normal.

When I lost my mother at 13, everything changed. Not automatically, of course—it was a choice. I decided it was time to change.

That’s when I discovered martial arts, specifically Taekwondo, and it completely transformed me. The discipline, the respect, the confidence—it was unlike anything I had experienced before, except maybe what I had learned from my father, my only true and forever hero.

Through martial arts, I reshaped not just my body, but my mindset. I became passionate about the human body—how it moves, grows, and evolves. That passion turned into a mission: to help others transform too—not into what others expected of them, but into exactly who they wanted to be.

I became a personal trainer, and before long, I landed my first magazine cover as a body transformation specialist. That moment opened international doors. DogPound saw my work and brought me to Los Angeles. I was 29, and that’s when my American dream began.

A few years later, Alo Yoga reached out. After asking around, they chose me to become the founding trainer of the Alo Wellness Club in Beverly Hills. I held that role for over three years, and together, we achieved things I’d only dreamed of—truly incredible things.

Just a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to take on a new adventure—my own. I’m feeling the same fire that started it all: the desire to help people change their lives. Now I’m focusing on my private clients, my online coaching program, and developing my own training method, GMT. I hope it will grow into something meaningful, unique, and truly transformative.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—it’s definitely not been a smooth road.

I’ve actually kept this part of my story very private. Not because I was ashamed, but because I never felt the urge to share it—maybe no one ever really asked. But the truth is, I’ve been through a lot.

It started with bullying during my childhood, the pain of losing my mom at 13, and later, going through a divorce when I decided to move to the U.S. (We’re still amazing friends, by the way, and I’ll always be there for her.)

When I moved to Los Angeles, I came alone. I left everything and everyone behind. Looking back, I think I was a little too optimistic. Life here is incredibly lonely and brutally expensive. I went through an emotionally difficult time, discovering feelings I’d never experienced before—like anxiety and depression. There was a period when I struggled financially just to pay rent. But the hardest part was the emotional isolation. I felt lost. Alone. I even considered moving back to Italy—my safe place.

But I didn’t.

Little by little, I met people who supported me, helped me understand the rhythm of life here, and reminded me to keep believing in myself. They pushed me to work harder—but also to trust more. They helped me see that even in the darkest times, there’s a way forward.

I learned that sometimes, hitting rock bottom is exactly what you need to rise. Maybe that pain was part of the plan all along. Sometimes, it takes going through the worst to finally step into the light.

And through it all, I’ve held onto one truth: Jesus loves you more than anything else.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Since someone I deeply respect once described me as “an artist in what I do,” I’ve never found a more accurate way to define myself. That sentence stuck with me—because I’ve always approached fitness differently. I’ve always kept my mind open, learning from everyone I could in the industry, but in the end, I’ve always trusted my own path. I’ve created my own method, my own philosophy—what I like to call my own fitness masterpiece.

I’m a transformation coach and personal trainer, best known for helping people completely reshape not just their bodies, but their mindset and confidence too. My work is deeply personal and holistic—I don’t just design workouts, I design systems that align with a person’s lifestyle, goals, and energy.

What sets me apart is the emotional connection I create with my clients. I’ve lived this journey myself—from battling obesity to landing on a magazine cover—so I know how transformative and personal this path can be. That’s why I created GMT, my own method that blends physical performance, discipline, and mental resilience.

I’m most proud of the lives I’ve helped transform, and the trust people place in me. Whether I’m training privately, coaching online, or collaborating with global brands like Alo, my goal is always the same: to help people become who they truly want to be—inside and out.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is seeing people evolve—watching someone realize they’re capable of more than they believed, physically and emotionally. That moment when a client lights up because they feel strong, confident, and proud of themselves—that’s everything to me.

It makes me happy because I know what it feels like to be on the other side. I’ve been there—feeling stuck, insecure, invisible. So every time I help someone break through their limits or fall in love with their body again, it’s a reminder of why I do what I do.

Also, the simple things make me happy: meaningful conversations, a quiet coffee in the morning, a walk with my dog, or a moment of peace after a long day. I think happiness lives in those small, honest moments—when you feel aligned with who you are and what you’re here to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gmthod.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giorgiomerlino/