Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Bortoletto.
Hi Robert, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
How I Got Started
I was a freshman in college when I fell in love with fitness. One day, I met a personal trainer who completely changed my outlook. He inspired me so much that I decided to switch my major to Exercise Science. At the time, I had no idea where it would lead.
During one of my intro classes, the instructor asked the room of 100 students, “Who here wants to be a personal trainer?” Only one person raised their hand. Then she said, “Personal trainers who make the most money are the ones who open their own gym.” That moment stuck with me. I knew that’s what I wanted to do — I was going to bet on myself.
After graduation, I got a job as a Personal Trainer at Wellbridge Athletic Club. Honestly? I was terrible at it. I quickly realized personal training was more of a sales job than a fitness job. To make ends meet, I picked up a second job.
That’s when a former college colleague connected me to a company that specialized in corporate wellness for government employees in downtown St. Louis. There, I taught group classes — strength, cardio, stretching, and more. This was my zone. I found my stride, and quickly built great relationships with clients and staff.
When the facility manager left for a role with better benefits, she recommended me for the position. I applied and was hired. I spent two years managing government fitness centers across St. Louis. Then, my big break came.
In 2019, the company I worked for decided to exit the St. Louis market, leaving their government contract up for grabs. I took a leap, formed my own company, and submitted a bid.
I won it.
At 25, I became a gym owner. A milestone I thought would take 15–20 years happened in just three.
Then, COVID-19 hit.
Ten months into running my own business, the world shut down — and so did my gym. It felt like a nightmare. But as time passed, I came to understand what that moment taught me:
Take nothing for granted.
Stay humble.
Never let a crisis go to waste.
When everything slowed down, I finally had time to ask: How do I grow this thing? I didn’t have the answer then — but the pandemic, while devastating, cleared out much of the competition. By 2022, I acquired two more facilities: a corporate gym in downtown St. Louis and a government gym in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
Managing three locations was no joke, especially since the two new sites needed full reboots. That’s when my wife stepped in to help. Her support changed everything.
In November 2024, we made another bold move and acquired Child Care Connection, Inc. — a local daycare provider. Now, both of our businesses — the gym and the daycare — operate out of the Robert A. Young Building. It’s also where we spend our days alongside our one-year-old daughter.
Today, we employ 18 people and continue to build both businesses as a husband-wife team. We feel like we’re just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes and no.
Winning the government gym contract early on was an incredible stroke of luck — I was in the right place at the right time. But COVID-19 quickly balanced the scales. Just ten months into owning my business, everything was at risk.
You always hear that businesses don’t turn a profit for the first five years, and in many ways that was true. We made a small profit — just enough to pay the bills — but it was never easy. I remember February 2021 like it was yesterday. I was just two days away from missing payroll. Then, out of nowhere, the second round of PPP loans came through and saved us. That was a very real, humbling moment.
Another challenge was the personal growth I had to go through early on. I had a lot of maturing to do, and entrepreneurship forced me to face that. In early 2023, I made the decision to give up alcohol completely. I haven’t had a sip since — and that has made a huge difference in my clarity, focus, and overall well-being. But 2023 was also the hardest year of my life. My mom passed away from pancreatic cancer and watching her suffer was incredibly painful. At the same time, I was in the middle of opening two new gym locations. The pressure was enormous. I honestly don’t think I would have made it through without the love and support of my wife and my twin brother. They were my anchors.
In 2024, I became a father — and that changed everything. I now have even more motivation to show up every day and give it my all. My daughter gave me a new “why.”
So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But every bump, every setback, every sleepless night taught me something. And all of it has made me a better business owner, husband, father, and man.
As you know, we’re big fans of Rex Fitness LLC/Child Care Connection, Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
ReX Fitness LLC is an occupational fitness company specializing in corporate and government wellness. We operate fitness centers, provide personal training, teach group fitness classes, and offer full-service fitness staffing and management. Our clients include federal agencies and building management companies — we tailor our services to integrate seamlessly into high-security and professional environments.
In 2024, we expanded into the childcare space with Child Care Connection, Inc., which provides licensed daycare services in similar sectors. Just like with our gyms, we focus on delivering dependable, high-quality service that fits the specific needs of public-sector clients.
What sets us apart is our hands-on approach. We’re known for being reliable, consistent, and incredibly personable. We’re not just a vendor — we’re a partner. Whether it’s a fitness center or a childcare facility, we show up every day with energy and heart.
I’m especially proud of the way we treat our staff. Our people are the reason we’re successful — they carry our values into everything they do. We make sure to support them fully so they can show up for our clients with confidence and care.
This business is also a family affair. My wife and my twin brother play key roles behind the scenes and on the ground. Their contributions are a huge part of our success.
If you’re a government agency or property management company, you should know: we’re a “mom-and-pop” operation, but we hang with the big boys. You get the best of both worlds — a small, flexible team that can adapt quickly and deliver with the consistency of a large firm.
And if you’re a customer, whether at one of our gyms or child care centers, we’ll know your name. We bring a small-town feel into every space we run — and we take pride in that.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Consistently doing your best. A mentor of mine once told me that consistency is following through on your desired action on your hardest most difficult day. I try to embody that every day.
Pricing:
- Gym memberships range: 20-47 per month
- Childcare services 265-445 per week
Contact Info:
