

Shaun Zetlin
Shaun Zetlin is a master fitness trainer, author, motivational speaker, and continuing education provider who has spent more than 23 years helping people redefine strength from the inside out. Born with club feet and delayed gross motor skills, and shaped by early trauma and self-doubt, Shaun’s personal journey laid the foundation for a career devoted to healing, empowerment, and whole-person health.
After beginning his professional fitness career in Brooklyn, New York, Shaun built and successfully operated a personal training business serving the New York City metro area for over two decades. His work spans private, group, corporate, and community-based training, as well as nutritional counseling. He is a six-time Best of Brooklyn Personal Trainer award winner in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Shaun now resides in Fairfield County, Connecticut, with his wife and two daughters, where he continues to expand his work and community impact.
Known for his empathy, patience, and adaptability, Shaun creates individualized programs that meet clients where they are physically and emotionally. His clientele includes beginners, seasoned athletes, expectant mothers, seniors, professional dancers, and bodybuilders. His specialties include strength and conditioning, weight loss, corrective exercise, postural training, and emotional resilience through movement.
Shaun is the author of the acclaimed Push-up Progression book series, which has been featured by Discovery Channel, Health, The Active Times, and Yahoo Health. He is also the creator of the Push-up Progression Specialist course, a continuing education program he has taught since 2015 through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the International Sports Sciences Association. His viral Health magazine article, the 50 Push-up Challenge, has been shared more than 60,000 times.
In 2020, Shaun released his latest book, Emotional Fitness, which explores how physical training can become a pathway to emotional healing, self-regulation, and personal growth. The book guides readers in coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and shame through accessible movement, reflection, and mindset tools. Shaun is currently on tour presenting this work at organizations and events including the Global Consciousness Summit, Ernst & Young, the New England Podcasters Group, and the University of Delaware.
A graduate of the University of Delaware, Shaun’s writing and expertise have been featured across books, magazines, websites, television, podcasts, and radio, including: Men’s Journal, The Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Thrive Global, Demos Medical Publishing, Rodale Books, Condé Nast, Medium, IDEA, Livestrong, STACK, the FX Channel, and Discovery Channel.
Shaun’s mission is to redefine how we understand strength, not as punishment or performance, but as a compassionate pathway toward authenticity, confidence, and wholeness.
Certifications

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE
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Certified Personal Trainer
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Performance Enhancement Specialist
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Physique & Bodybuilding Coach
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Behavior Change Specialization
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Corrective Exercise Specialist
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Cardio Weight Loss Specialist
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Group Personal Training Specialist
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Cardio for Fitness
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Cardio for Performance
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Mental Toughness
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Pre-Post Natal
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Senior Citizen
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Youth (14 and under)
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Balance
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Core Stabilization
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Self Myofascial Release (SMR)
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SAQ Training
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Resistance Training
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Flexibility Training

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SCIENCES ASSOCIATION
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Certified Personal Trainer
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Strength and Conditioning Specialist
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Sports Performance Nutrition Specialist
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Marathon Training
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Knee and Shoulder Rehabilitation
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Female Athlete

I believe in the power of defining a cohesive fitness and nutrition plan that, when coupled with passion, yields mental and physical progression.
• Shaun Zetlin •
Real Stories. Lasting Transformation.
Hear from Shaun's clients about their transformational journey.
Shaun Zetlin’s book is unique in that he shares his own struggles, both emotional and physical, and how they led him to be the man he is today. He is not only a Master Fitness Trainer, but an incredibly self aware individual. As such, he is able to make the mind-body connection as no-one else I have encountered has.
In his book, Shaun outlines five Master Mantras, all of which spoke to me. However, the one that touched me most was “Believe That You Are Worthy!” As one who has struggled with depression and anxiety as well as eating disorders my whole life, this approach to fitness is refreshing. It has helped me see why my past attempts at fitness may have failed and led me to believe that I deserve to be healthy. Shaun also talks about shame and thus his approach to fitness is never shame-based; something incredibly important to me.
Throughout, Shaun makes you feel he is on your side with his judgment-free attitude. His enthusiasm is palpable. He truly wants each of us to be the best version of ourselves.
-Jane W
Shaun Zetlin is the real deal. He is an expert fitness trainer. His knowledge of how the body works and how best to care for it are beyond compare. This books supports the intertwined emotional piece. Shaun is brave and reveals the work he has done to overcome trauma. Through his work he has crafted a new gym bag that finally ties how our emotional worlds impact self care. He reinforces the idea that we are all where we need to be right now. I turn to his emotional guidance techniques for strength, in particular, using visualization to help focus before an exercise and move fear to positivity. This book is important and Shaun is a trustworthy guide. He helps you become open to more than physical power. Don’t miss the opportunity to progress to a new level of fitness - both physical and emotional. Thank you!
-Sarah P
Shaun Zetlin's book has helped me add an important piece that's been missing from my workouts--the emotional component. As a Master Trainer, he has incredible knowledge of the ways to strengthen the body--his exercises and fitness progressions are top notch. But in this book, he takes you to another level to make you stronger in both body and mind. Shaun's Master Mantras and Emotional Guidance Techniques help you visualize and move toward a greater self. He shares honestly about his journey toward his own fitness, which is something I really appreciate in a self-care book. He's worked through his own struggles and now brings that knowledge and experience to the table. You can trust him to help take you on your own journey.
-Rebecca F
“I have been training with Shaun for the past eleven years. As a result, my body has completely changed- for the better, of course! I have great muscle definition- back, abs, arms- and am one of the strongest women in the gym. Shaun has helped me achieve my goals with his innovative workout routines. The workouts he designs are both challenging and fun. He is continually supportive and really helps me be my best. I can't praise him enough!”

