In the Washington, D.C., suburb of Alexandria, Virginia, a dedicated group of people meets twice a week on a high school football field for an hour-long workout with HYPE Fitness and Wellness, an online fitness company founded by Sahlu Okebato. His mission is simple: help busy professionals and beginners make exercise a regular part of their daily routine.

HYPE Fitness was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Sahlu began inviting people to work out with him over Zoom after gyms were closed. “I sent invitations to several people to join me online for a workout, and I was shocked when 15 showed up,” Sahlu recalled. “It was a very encouraging sign to keep going.”

The company has no physical gym—and Sahlu has no plans to open one. HYPE Fitness focuses on coaching people to make fitness a sustainable habit. “Signing up for a gym membership is easy,” Sahlu explained. “The hard part is actually going three or four times a week to get healthier and stay fit. That’s where HYPE Fitness comes in. We provide tailored programs that help individuals succeed in their fitness journey.”

Sahlu, who maintains an impressive level of fitness for his age, knows that achieving real results requires commitment and determination. “My advice for people starting out is to go slow and gradually increase the number of days they work out, whether at home or at a gym,” he said. “I don’t take clients who are only looking for temporary results—like preparing for a wedding or vacation.”

Determined to help as many people as possible integrate fitness into their lives, Sahlu inspires his group through consistent example. On a frigid morning, the team pushed through their outdoor workout, demonstrating purpose and dedication. Afterwards, they stopped at a local Ethiopian restaurant for breakfast, enjoying eggs, beans, and lattes—proof that fitness can coexist with life’s simple pleasures.