Rising Stars: Meet Oscar Yerushalmi of Downtown Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Oscar Yerushalmi.

Hi Oscar, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been lifting weights since I was 15 years old. Fitness became much more than a hobby for me — it became my foundation during some of the hardest moments of my life. When I faced depression and personal struggles, I followed the best advice I had ever heard: when you do not know what to do, work on yourself.

So I did. Day by day, I committed myself to building my body, and in return, that process built my confidence, strength, and discipline. It helped me overcome challenges I once thought were impossible and opened doors I never imagined.

That journey eventually led me to open my own studio, where I now have the opportunity to share my experience and help others transform their lives. For me, fitness is not just about physical results — it is about becoming stronger mentally, gaining confidence, and creating the best version of yourself. I believe that when you become stronger, healthier, and more focused, you naturally attract better opportunities, better energy, and a better life.

My mission is to create a friendly and motivating environment where people can get into the best shape of their lives, believe in themselves, and realize that they are capable of achieving far more than they think.

I truly believe the law of attraction is real: we attract what we are. If we build strength, discipline, and positive energy within ourselves, we begin to attract those same qualities into our lives.

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?
Like many businesses, we were hit hard by COVID-19. Our studio was first forced to close for 3 months. When the city finally allowed us to reopen, we were incredibly excited — only to be shut down again, this time for another 11 months.

Just when we thought things could not get worse, during the Black Lives Matter unrest, rioters broke into our studio, shattered our windows, and stole part of our technology and equipment.

But we refused to give up.

To keep our community moving, we ran outdoor boot camps across Downtown Los Angeles. My head trainer at the time and I moved around 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of equipment every day just to create the best workouts possible in the streets. We trained in parking lots, parks, and open spaces, doing whatever it took to keep our members active and connected, despite all the challenges around us.

At the same time, we were also dealing with legal and financial pressure from our previous landlord, who tried to hold us responsible for lease payments we simply could not keep up with during the shutdowns.

Still, we kept going.

Fitness, resilience, and above all, our amazing community kept us alive. Those experiences made us stronger, and they taught me that after surviving all of that, we can fight through anything.

Today, I am proud to say that this journey has led us to build what I truly believe is one of the best studios in Los Angeles, with around 630 Google reviews and counting. Every obstacle, every setback, and every difficult chapter shaped who we are today.

And for that, we are grateful.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and manager of F45 DTLA. For us, it is about much more than fitness — we offer community, motivation, and support. Our goal is to help every member become the best version of themselves, not only on the outside, but on the inside as well.

We believe fitness should also inspire people to be kinder, stronger, and more positive in everyday life. By lifting each other up, showing respect, and creating a welcoming environment, we can all help make Downtown Los Angeles a better and safer place.

At F45 DTLA, we also make sure our members stay on track with their goals by offering body scans every 8 weeks, so they can measure progress and stay motivated. Most importantly, we want every person who walks through our doors to have the best workout experience possible.

We all go through challenges in life, so why choose to be rude or angry? Our studio is built on energy, kindness, and encouragement. We want people to leave not only feeling stronger physically, but also better mentally and emotionally.

Outside of fitness, I also work as a music journalist for EDM Tunes, which is another one of my biggest passions. I love music and enjoy reviewing and writing about DJs, festivals, events, and electronic dance music in general.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I have always been a natural leader, but I believe kindness is just as important as strength. I have been working since I was 7 years old. One of my first businesses was melting chocolate and making chocolate animals to sell at school. I have had an entrepreneurial spirit from a very young age. My mom helped me buy my first piece of chocolate, and from there I began buying my own supplies, creating my own products, and learning what it meant to build something for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://f45training.com/studio/downtownlosangeles/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/f45_training_downtownla/

Image Credits
Photos by Anthony Trevino