Meet the world’s most popular fitness influencer
In an era where influencers reign, who is the most popular fitness influencer in the world? According to The Influencer Forum (www.theinfluencerforum.com), the British bodybuilder, trainer and entrepreneur Simeon Panda is first on their list.
With a reported earning of $22 million per year, Simeon’s workout programs have inspired legions of followers to get into a more active lifestyle. He also owns both Just Lift, weightlifting belts, apparel and accessories, and Elimin8 training programs, systems and challenges.
With a combined social media following of almost 18 million (8.1 million on Instagram, 135,300 on Twitter, 6.8 million on Facebook, 2.69 million on YouTube), Simeon is extremely popular not only because of his great physique, but also for his passion as a sports fitness athlete. He has a trademark, but authentic positive and motivational aura as well.
Simeon built his physique and his fortune from bodybuilding. He competed in bodybuilding shows worldwide and won the European Championships in 2013 where he earned Musclemania Pro status.
He started lifting at age 16 when he was a skinny teenager interested in improving his strength and overall size. A college friend who was very muscular and ripped became an inspiration.
His friend told him to get some weights and do workouts at home. Simeon bought a set immediately and instantly fell in love with bodybuilding. He worked out every day without fail, motivated when friends who hadn’t see him for a while gushed over how huge he had become.
“Set your goals high, and don’t stop until you get there,” he says. “Find a way, not excuses. Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” These are just a few of the motivating words he applies to himself and offers others.
A collaboration between Gold’s Gym — the most iconic brand in fitness — and Simeon — the most popular fitness influencer — was formally celebrated in the Leadership Conference in Los Angeles from Sept. 12 to 14. Fortunately for me, I was one of those in the audience that day.
As a bodybuilding athlete, he said he had to go to “The Mecca” of Bodybuilding (Gold’s Gym Venice) when he first visited the US. Working out at Gold’s happened every time he was in the area until he finally decided to live in Los Angeles, to be able to train there regularly. He did not hesitate to become an official ambassador of the global gym chain because, as he said, he is always there.
“Simeon’s authenticity, commitment to fitness and high standards coupled with his genuine love of Gold’s Gym makes him a natural fit for the brand,” said Gold’s Gym CEO Sebastian Schoepe.
“Gold’s Gym Venice embodies everything I love about bodybuilding. The passion and camaraderie is unlike anything you can experience anywhere else — it’s as much in the history that adorns the walls as it is in each individual that frequents the establishment. I am honored that my passion is recognized, and I am excited to proudly carry the torch for the next generation,” Simeon said.
“My lifelong goal has been to share motivation and positivity within the fitness community and this partnership with Gold’s Gym gives me another platform to inspire others and take them on this journey with me,” he added.
When asked how he built his physique, he said the key is being consistent. Consistency in training, commitment and consistency in following his nutrition plan.
When asked for tips on how to grow one’s social following, he said the same words with a big smile: be consistent. He said people will not follow if you are not consistently posting content.
He is still building his followers on TikTok but his message of consistency is a staple. “There won’t be one specific rep, set or gym session that gets you where you want to be, it’s the compounding of continued effort week on week, month on month, and year on year,” he posted.
“Results don’t present themselves right away, just keep showing up, enjoy the process,” Simeon emphasized.
So next time you decide to work towards achieving your best physical version, just lift, just show up, and just keep on training.
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