EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 1H 5M
Ayinde Warren Took a Leap of Faith… Now He’s an American Gladiator
from Prepare For Takeoff · host Terry L. Cyrus
On this episode of Prepare For Takeoff, model, actor, influencer, personal trainer and American Gladiator, Ayinde Warren shares a powerful story of discipline, resilience and belief. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., he started as a student-athlete at West Virginia State University and later finished his final year of football eligibility at the University of South Dakota, earning his master’s degree. After college, he moved to rural North Carolina with his parents and worked for a car rental company while staying locked in on his fitness routine. That consistency helped him become a trainer. He then took a leap of faith to Orlando, where he became a fitness director and expanded into modeling and acting. He went from zero experience to walking the runways of Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week. He shares how mentorship from community leaders like Dr. R. Charles Byers helped shape his mindset. An influencer and recognized as one of the top trainers in the industry, he has worked with brands like Under Armour and continues building his Swole Patrol platform. He now steps into a life-changing role as Neon on American Gladiators, premiering April 17 on Amazon Prime Video. This episode is about leveling up, staying ready and betting on yourself as you Prepare For Takeoff.00:00 - Early Life and Sports Journey01:22 - Transition to College Football04:11 - The Road to West Virginia State University06:24 - Adjusting to College Life08:18 - Joining Omega Psi Phi Fraternity10:28 - Impact of Fraternity on Personal Growth13:00 - Post-College Journey and Future Aspirations14:53 - From Football Dreams to New Beginnings19:01 - Navigating Life After Injury20:57 - The Shift to Personal Training25:07 - Building a Fitness Brand28:05 - The Leap to Acting33:57 - Finding Success in Unlikely Places38:40 - The Journey of Resilience and Growth42:15 - Building Confidence Through Community Support44:41 - The Journey to American Gladiators46:53 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity48:18 - The Importance of Mindset and Preparation57:21 - Key Takeaways for Success58:35 - The Significance of the Name “Neon”01:00:48 - Anticipating American Gladiators Premiere01:05:07 - Prepare For Takeoff The future of business is yours to shape. Sign up for a free Shopify trial by clicking our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://shopify.pxf.io/55LGnj.Start recording like a pro with Riverside, click our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://riverside.sjv.io/jeVZYP to get started.
What this episode covers
On this episode of Prepare For Takeoff, model, actor, influencer, personal trainer and American Gladiator, Ayinde Warren shares a powerful story of discipline, resilience and belief. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., he started as a student-athlete at West Virginia State University and later finished his final year of football eligibility at the University of South Dakota, earning his master’s degree. After college, he moved to rural North Carolina with his parents and worked for a car rental company while staying locked in on his fitness routine. That consistency helped him become a trainer. He then took a leap of faith to Orlando, where he became a fitness director and expanded into modeling and acting. He went from zero experience to walking the runways of Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week. He shares how mentorship from community leaders like Dr. R. Charles Byers helped shape his mindset. An influencer and recognized as one of the top trainers in the industry, he has worked with brands like Under Armour and continues building his Swole Patrol platform. He now steps into a life-changing role as Neon on American Gladiators, premiering April 17 on Amazon Prime Video. This episode is about leveling up, staying ready and betting on yourself as you Prepare For Takeoff.00:00 - Early Life and Sports Journey01:22 - Transition to College Football04:11 - The Road to West Virginia State University06:24 - Adjusting to College Life08:18 - Joining Omega Psi Phi Fraternity10:28 - Impact of Fraternity on Personal Growth13:00 - Post-College Journey and Future Aspirations14:53 - From Football Dreams to New Beginnings19:01 - Navigating Life After Injury20:57 - The Shift to Personal Training25:07 - Building a Fitness Brand28:05 - The Leap to Acting33:57 - Finding Success in Unlikely Places38:40 - The Journey of Resilience and Growth42:15 - Building Confidence Through Community Support44:41 - The Journey to American Gladiators46:53 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity48:18 - The Importance of Mindset and Preparation57:21 - Key Takeaways for Success58:35 - The Significance of the Name “Neon”01:00:48 - Anticipating American Gladiators Premiere01:05:07 - Prepare For Takeoff The future of business is yours to shape. Sign up for a free Shopify trial by clicking our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://shopify.pxf.io/55LGnj.Start recording like a pro with Riverside, click our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://riverside.sjv.io/jeVZYP to get started.
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Ayinde Warren Took a Leap of Faith… Now He’s an American Gladiator
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