There are some people whose energy is simply magnetic. They walk into a room and instantly lift the mood. Not because they're loud or trying to be the centre of attention, but because their presence alone makes you feel seen, inspired, and a little more hopeful about the world. That’s Marwin Silerio.
A coach, a personal trainer, and one of the most genuine, kind-hearted, and hardworking people we’ve had the privilege of knowing, Marwin has spent the past few years pouring his energy into building others up.
Now he’s taking his next leap, moving to Canada to chase new opportunities, new challenges, and no doubt, to impact a whole new community in the way only he can. Wherever he goes, one thing is certain: people feel better for having met him.
We were fortunate enough to sit down with Marwin and hear more about his journey, and how he became the person we all know and love today.
Personal Mindset & Growth
Have you always been this energetic and uplifting, or was there a turning point in your life that shaped you into who you are today?
I’ve always been the kind of person who brings loud energy into a room, and naturally, I channelled that into creativity—whether it was reenacting my favourite Dragon Ball Z scenes in my bedroom, being the class clown, or eventually pursuing Drama and Performing Arts through high school and university. The desire (or maybe the need) to uplift and contribute became even more important to me when I became a Personal Trainer in 2016. Seeing firsthand how fulfilling it was to be of service—and knowing that my work made even a small but positive impact on people’s lives—helped me lean into that part of myself even more.
What drives you to bring so much energy to those around you every day?
Gratitude. My parents immigrated our family from the Philippines to New Zealand in 1998 so we, the kids, could have a better opportunity in life. They sacrificed their land, their culture, their families, and their language for us. And because of that, I am deeply grateful and fully aware that I must make the most of the opportunity they gave me—otherwise, I’d be letting both myself and my parents down. That’s why I’m driven to do my best. I know what it took for me to get here, and not making the most of it would be a disservice to my family and everything they sacrificed.
Do you ever have off days? If so, how do you push through and still show up for the people who rely on you?
Of course! And to be honest, now more than ever, given the overwhelming amount of work I have in this phase of my life. What helps me stay in a top-tier state—mentally, physically, and productively—is having solid systems in place that support it. I have non-negotiables around sleep, training, nutrition, social capacity, and working hours. These ensure that I’m not only able to execute my responsibilities but can do so at a high standard. Even on my off days, I can rely on these habits to carry me through.
What’s one belief or mindset shift that has had the biggest impact on your life?
My life coach, Mel Unstead, once said to me, “Radical performance requires radical self-care.” What that taught me was that the harder I wanted to go at life, the harder I had to go at taking care of my mind, body, and heart.
Coaching & Impact
What’s the most rewarding part of being a coach?
Helping people discover a part of themselves they didn’t know existed—that’s what drives me! Whether it’s coaching them to hit a new personal best, guiding them to become more aware of unconscious patterns, or creating a space where they feel safe to fully express what’s on their mind in that moment—I love it.
How do you balance pushing people beyond their limits while also keeping them motivated and engaged?
To put strength training simply, it’s about doing the same exercises (or variations of them) over an extended period while gradually overloading them to build tolerance. So, the real question is—how do you keep people engaged when the exercises stay relatively the same? The key is understanding that while the exercises may not change much, the person doing them is never the same. Every session, a different version of that individual shows up—shaped by lifestyle stressors, accomplishments, challenges, energy levels, desires, and more. Keeping people engaged means coaching them through who they are in that moment. That’s what’s always new and keeps them engaged in the process.
Have you ever had a client who completely surprised you with their progress? What made the difference for them?
Perhaps surprised isn’t the word, because I know anyone can truly change their lifestyle with conscious effort and consistency. It’s never a matter of if—it’s a matter of when. And when THAT moment happens for them, I’m over the moon celebrating their accomplishments. The difference between a client progressing and not progressing lies in balancing allowing them to find the answers themselves (outside of exercise technicalities, of course!) while guiding them toward what they’re looking for. When they arrive at the answer on their own instead of being told, it makes progress much more meaningful.
Is there a moment in your coaching career that stands out as particularly special or meaningful?
Very early in my coaching career—maybe my second or third year—I had a consultation with a potential client who told me she could only commit to going to the gym once per week. I responded by saying she wouldn’t get results with that frequency. To this day, I’m still ashamed of that moment. But it taught me the most important coaching lesson of all: meet people where they are, not where you expect them to be. I never saw her again after that… and if she ever happens to read this, I hope she can forgive me. I was utterly and completely wrong. I’m sorry.
Advice & Philosophy
What’s the biggest mistake people make when trying to improve their fitness or mindset?
Doing too much, too soon! Start with one small change that fits seamlessly into what you’re already doing. As that habit becomes easier to manage, add a new variable. Remember, maintaining habits takes effort in itself—don’t overload yourself!
What advice would you give to someone who looks up to you and wants to follow a similar path in coaching and life?
The beauty you see in me is a reflection of you! What you admire in others means you possess the same traits—otherwise, how else could you recognize them? Keep looking for opportunities to live out those traits in your day-to-day life. Find activities that allow you to amplify those values. You’ve got this!
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell him that he’s not as dumb as he thinks he is, but he’s also not as smart as he sometimes believes. Practice the value of interrogating your beliefs and thoughts.
What’s something you believe about fitness and personal development that most people get wrong?
Transformation happens long before people recognize it. It happens within—in the small moments that others don’t see or hear. It’s found in how you speak to yourself and in the conscious negotiations you make between your current self and your better self. The greatest compliments come from who you are now, being proud of the quiet work your past self did.
A new chapter. The same big heart.
We are not alone when we say we are sad to see Marwin go, but at the same time we are so excited to see what kind of magic he creates over in Canada.
In our last conversation, I shared an emotional moment with him, one that really stayed with me. He told me that all he wanted was for whoever took on his clients to show them the same love and support that he did. To remind them that they are enough. That they have it in them to achieve everything they dream of.
That says everything you need to know about the kind of person Marwin is. He is about to move to a new country on the other side of the world, and his biggest concern is how the people he is leaving behind will be. His heart is huge, and we have no doubt that he will continue to better the lives of everyone he meets.
We love you Marwin ❤️