El Paso gym trainer who lost leg as a child a motivation for others

At first glance, Juan Espino is like most gym trainers.

But the 26 year old, who most look to for help getting a leg up on getting in shape, actually only has one leg.

Doctors found a tumor in Espino’s left leg when he was four years old. They were unable to remove it after multiple surgeries which led to the amputation.

He was forced to learn how to walk all over again. At age 17 and almost three hundred pounds later, he wanted to take control of his body.

Espino not only perfected his training, but saw results. He lost nearly 200 pounds. People took notice and asked for him for help.

“I wanted to help other people going through the same struggle I was going through. I wanted to help them on nutrition, exercising,” said Espino.

And so far he has helped hundreds, like Gabriela Cordova. “Breathe through your nose, out through your mouth,” explains Espino as he helps Cordova with her lunges.

Espino admits having only one leg limits what he can physically demonstrate. But the psychological effect, he says, outweighs the physical.

“It basically helps me serve as an example that it can be done regardless of what you’re going through, what limitations you have,” said Espino.

“It’s about his attitude. Cause he’s always positive. Like even though, you know, I don’t know, I’m having a bad day, and then I get here, and he’s supportive,” said Cordova adding she recommends Espino to all her friends.

Espino is used to compliments from people he motivates. He shared his favorite compliment, which came from someone who saw incredible results.

“Like a hero without a cape. Mainly, just because they see me doing what I do. I come here and I work out sometimes and they find it so inspirational,” he said.

Espino also shared the best advice he can give to anyone he has decided to get off the couch and start going to the gym again.

“Not focus so much on what the scale says, focus more on the other things like how much inches you’ve lost also, just overall on how you look.” And ultimately, Espino says, how you feel.