YouTuber The Fitness Marshall Says Wellness Should Focus on ‘Realistic’ Goals, Not ‘Making Yourself Miserable’ (Exclusive)
Caleb Marshall, known as The Fitness Marshall, explains why dance is a great fitness option for all ages, ability levels and body types
Cameron Moody
Caleb Marshall with his backup dancers Haley Jordan (left) and Allison Florea (right)Embarking on any fitness journey can be daunting. That’s why Caleb Marshall, known on social media as The Fitness Marshall, says finding a workout you love is crucial.
“It’s just the little things that you can do to make reaching your goals fun and joyful,” Marshall tells PEOPLE. “If you like doing something, you’re probably going to come back to it.”
That’s why his 13 million followers across social media keep returning to his videos. Accompanied by backup dancers Haley Jordan and Allison Florea, his “Backup Booties,” Marshall produces easy-to-follow workout videos for every shape, size and ability.
The self-described “Richard Simmons meets Britney Spears” has racked up more than 2 billion views on YouTube since his channel started in 2014. Featuring music from his favorite “pop girlies,” viewers can watch free videos on his channel or opt for a paid subscription for more content.
“I just make dance fun and working out fun because I had a terrible relationship with exercise and food and fitness before,” Marshall says.
Like many people in the LGBTQ community, Marshall felt othered growing up. This feeling followed him to the gym.
“When I looked at pictures on the walls or the workout programs that I saw being sold on TV, it was always more about the physical result," he says. "It was six-minute abs. It was burning fat. And although that wasn't what he wanted from fitness, "that’s what burned into my brain,” Marshall says. “I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t have a place here.’ ”
It wasn't until Marshall took his first dance class that he saw — and felt — the benefits of moving his body.
Cameron Moody
Haley Jordan, Caleb Marshall, and Allison Florea wearing Active Booty activewear.“I realized how powerful fitness could be if I didn’t look at it as a punishment, and more of something I got to do,” he says.
He carried that idea with him as he started making videos for other people. “I really wanted to be a force that gave people a space where they didn’t feel scared to just walk in and show up.”
He says his best advice is not to compare yourself to others.
“Just show up for yourself,” he adds. “Every little thing that you could do is an accomplishment. Doing two more workouts a week than you did the week before, that’s an accomplishment. So I think being realistic with your goals and not making yourself miserable. That’s why I do what I do.”
Offering the videos online for viewers to watch from the comfort of their homes helps eliminate barriers.
“So many people who never would have tried it if it was an in-person class are now doing it because they’re at home, no one’s around, and they just get this confidence,” he explains. “It’s really, really cool to see how the internet has allowed people to break out of their shell.”
Related: Jane Fonda Says Her Fitness Routine Is 'Everything I Used to Do, Just Slower' at Age 87 (Exclusive)
As for the key to his popularity, "It’s such a silly answer, but it's just myself,” he says. “I think people connect to authenticity and connect to not feeling intimidated. I’m not for everybody, but there is a subset of people who just don’t wanna take themselves too seriously and those are my people.”
And fans appreciate the combination of humor and humility in his videos.
“I was doing a live steam workout and I fell three times,” he says. “It’s not fun to pretend to be perfect.”
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He adds: “That’s why I love this Little Leaf partnership that I’m doing. They have this idea: Why not make eating a salad fun and silly?”
Paige Coveno
Caleb Marshall (The Fitness Marshall) and Little Leaf Farms Crispy Caesar Salad kit.In collaboration with l Little Leaf Farms, a salad and lettuce company, Marshall is holding the Show Us Your Shake contest. From now until Feb. 7, fans can upload their most creative salad-shaking videos on social media for a chance to win $10,000. Grab a box of Little Leaf salad mix and dance along to one of Marshall's videos — or just have fun giving it a twirl. The Fitness Marshall will reveal the top five submissions and announce the grand prize winner on Feb. 27.
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