Meet Siavash Fashi | CEO/Founder of SixPax Gym the most successful small gym in America

We had the good fortune of connecting with Siavash Fashi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Siavash, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I have a vision to see a SixPax Gym in every neighborhood across America, changing lives and making a real difference in the communities we serve.

My journey began as a refugee coming to America, where I found the opportunity to live my dream. Now, I want to give back by helping others achieve their own dreams through fitness and empowerment. Together, we can transform lives, one gym at a time, and build a stronger, healthier America.

What should our readers know about your business?
My journey began as a 12-year-old boy in Iran during wartime, where bodybuilding was illegal and considered American propaganda. Bodybuilding became my dream when I saw a picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger—happy, carefree, and larger than life at Venice Beach. That image inspired me to dream of a better life. At 18, I was diagnosed with cancer in my right eye, a condition that was untreatable in Iran. Determined to survive, I escaped to England, where I slept in a pizza shop and held onto my dream of living in California and pursuing professional bodybuilding.

I eventually made my way to America with a fake passport but was arrested upon arrival and spent my first year in a maximum security prison. After being granted asylum, I found myself homeless and jobless. Bodybuilding gave me focus, but my experience competing in various shows revealed flaws—favoritism, high costs, drug use, and tedious events. Despite these challenges, I saved $3,000 from unemployment after a three-year stint as a security guard and opened a different kind of gym—one that prioritized community, support, and the transformative power of bodybuilding.

For 12 years, I’ve been training people in my small gym—less than 1,000 square feet—in an abandoned gas station in Culver City, which I transformed into a fitness haven. Despite the modest space, we built a strong, supportive community focused on health and fitness. This humble beginning has fueled my vision to have a SixPax Gym in every neighborhood across America.

Today, I am living the American dream. I have a beautiful home near the beach, a truck, a muscle car, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and my beloved dog, Milo. Surrounded by a supportive network of friends who share my vision, I consider myself immensely fortunate. My greatest joy comes from giving back to the community that has supported me throughout this journey, and I’m committed to helping others achieve their dreams, just as I have.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
find joy in simple pleasures like going to the beach, riding my motorcycle through Malibu Canyon, and visiting the Rock Store. I don’t have many hobbies because I’m fully focused and committed to SixPax Gym.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to the incredible people of Culver City and my clients, who have been the backbone of SixPax Gym’s success. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in helping me build and grow the gym. A huge shoutout goes to Daniel Rosen, who initially came in as a client and lost 50 lbs at SixPax Gym. He went on to become a mentor, teaching me invaluable lessons about business and guiding me on my journey. I also want to recognize my amazing team, who have embraced my vision and worked tirelessly to help bring it to life.

There are so many people I could write about, but I must mention Mr. Peter Longwood, who was my trainer for three years and trained me for free. Lastly, a special thanks to Alex Charfen, who taught me how to scale my business and reach new heights. This journey has been a collective effort, and I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed along the way

Website: https://www.sixpaxgym.com/personal_training_gym

Instagram: @SixPax_gym

Linkedin: Siavash Fashi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SixPaxGym/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sixpax-gym-culver-city

Image Credits
Siavash Fashi @ SixPax Gym in Culver City
SixPax Super Show , yes I certify that I have the right to use the images