About Us

As a wife and someone who has witnessed my husband's incredible journey, we opened Gymko Iron (formerly Urban Iron) with a deep desire to help others the same way fitness has helped him. My husband, a Marine Corps Combat Veteran, served at Camp Pendleton, CA, with the 1st Marine Division, 5th Marines HQ CO as a Corporal. His deployment from January 2006 to February 2007, where he was attached to a special EOD security team, took him to some of the most dangerous areas, including Fallujah, Ramadi, and outposts along the Syrian border. The hardships he endured during this time are directly responsible for the disabilities he faces today, earning him a 100% disability rating from the VA.

During his service in Iraq, my husband sustained multiple injuries. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his condition, he was not permitted to return to the States for treatment. It wasn’t until his return to base that his mental health issues, stemming from both his physical injuries and the trauma of losing many of his brothers in arms, began to be recognized. After several months of struggling, it became clear that he needed additional care, leading to his referral to Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA, where he received eight months of treatment.

Throughout this process, my husband was diagnosed with vertigo, vestibular dysfunction, traumatic brain injuries, and hypogonadism, all caused by exposure to bomb blasts and suicide bombings. Even though he followed all of the recommended coping strategies from the VA, his physical and mental health continued to deteriorate. He developed unhealthy eating habits, which led to a significant weight gain over the years.

By 2017, my husband weighed 400 lbs. with over 50% body fat. Before this, he had never experienced challenges with weight loss, but his mental health impairments made it almost impossible to shed the weight. As difficult as this period was, it was also a turning point. My husband realized that for the sake of his family and his future, he needed to make a permanent change. With the support of God, myself and our children, he found the strength to transform his life.

Fitness became a vital tool in this journey. Through his personal experience, my husband learned firsthand how exercise could improve both physical and mental well-being. He discovered that physical activity could alleviate the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and stress—issues that so many people struggle with. This understanding fueled our mission to help others, which is why we opened Gymko Iron. we wanted to create a space where individuals could find the support and tools they need to transform their lives just as my husband did.

I also realized that proper nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health. Improving one's diet can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and support overall bodily functions. That’s why Gymko Iron integrates both fitness and nutrition into a holistic approach to wellness. It is our goal to help individuals not just get in shape, but to achieve lasting changes that impact both their physical and mental health. This vision is something I am passionate about, and I am committed to helping others through the journey that has been so life-changing for my husband.

 

— Denise