One on One with Tommy Europe

Tommy Europe has had the type of career (read: LIFE!), that would make anyone jealous; he played in the Canadian Football League for 11 years, he's been the star of two different television shows, and he has an entire line of 'Tommy Europe/TE60 Shred' DVDs and workout programs. This fitness industry has built the life of his dreams, and even at 45, he shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, his life is moving even faster, as he does more motivational speaking gigs (like the canfitpro world fitness expo), writes more books (Shh! Secret project), and continues to be the go-to fitness expert on television programs and blogs. In this interview, we go deep to see what makes his brilliant, creative, ambitious mind tick. 

JF: Did you always know this was what you wanted to do, and that this was the direction your career was going?

TE: The short answer for that one is no. [laughs] I always knew health and fitness was going to be a big part of whatever I ended up doing because obviously, getting ready for football, that’s what initially got me into the notion of working out first. But then, the more I did it, the more I liked it. I also love working with people, so for me, it was a natural progression. When I was in my eighth [out of 11] year in the CFL, I got certified to be a personal trainer because my thinking then was, “Okay, what can I do that I love to do that I don’t have to put a suit on, but I can make a great income and have a lot of fun?” And training was the answer I came up with. That’s how everything started.

JF: Has attending a smaller university played a role in your football career, and how has it impacted where you are today?

TE: Bishop’s only had 1600 students, so it offered me a unique opportunity. I was playing football and going to school there, but just being on a campus where there was always something going on (like intramural sports) made a difference. It kept me in the loop of health, fitness, training, different ways of doing these, working with different athletes, seeing what kind of characteristics different athletes follow when they go on their training regime. Obviously also following the different strength coaches, too. So being there put me in a big fishbowl of information, and from that, I started my own path. Every day is different, and I continue to learn every single day.

JF: How did you go from playing in the CFL to becoming a celebrity trainer on television?

TE: During my 11th year in the CFL, I suffered an ankle injury that kind of stayed with me for the whole year. At the end of the year I had surgery, took time off right after the season, and it was just a tough year. I was going through a divorce around the same time as well. I went to Southeast Asia for a couple of months, and when I came back, I was refocused. I was training as if I was going to play again, but didn’t know if it would be basketball or football, so I started training with different people, and at the same time, I was also working within the film industry as an actor and a stunt performer; I was trying to break into stunt films. So those things kind of worked hand in hand for a number of years, and then as my profile got bigger from training, they had a “Best Training” poll in Vancouver for one of the magazines. I got it two years in a row, and through that notoriety, I was introduced to the producers for The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp. I met with them, auditioned, and got it! I fit the profile and character they were looking for, and that’s how that started. Then halfway through our first season, one of the producers pitched the idea for a wedding show called Bulging Brides. I was in both shows at the same time.

JF: At what point did you know you finally made your mark on the fitness industry?

TE: I mean, I definitely know I’ve had my big break/epiphany, but in the fitness industry, especially when you’re doing shows, you never know how big your audience is, and who you reach. But in the messages I get, or in conversations I have with people, and they tell me what my show does for them, I know I’m making a difference. A lot of the athletes I know now are becoming trainers because they see that fitness does have a far reach, and it can go wherever you want it to go. You have to put yourself in a position to be seen, or be heard, or be found, and as long as you’re going about it the right way, those things will happen.

JF: Any new books in the works for TE Fitness?

TE: I’m doing a four-year project right now. I’m going to be 46 in July, so the year that I turn 50, I will be putting a book together that’s related to being fit at 50. Talking about what it takes; a lot of people can have every excuse in the book, but fitness is a lifesaver. For me, it’s something that I’m very passionate about, and regardless of what their goals are, fitness can play a role in molding them into anything. I’ve also started my ShredED, which is “shred education.” That’s where I run a series of workshops related to training, boot camps, small group training, and I plan to expand that as well this year.

JF: How do you keep up with everything that is already going on in your life? How do you balance it all?

TE: I am very used to juggling everything. I’m not really a planner, but I have a plan, if that makes sense. I always have multiple things that I’m doing. For me, it’s normal. Sometimes I have to work very hard for multiple hours and not get a break, and sometimes I have lots of free time, and I take advantage of that to be as creative as I can. A lot of the workouts I’m doing now are just made up on the spot. I put myself through different types of workouts, and see how they affect my body.

JF: You motivate so many people. Who motivated you when you first started, and who do you look up to now?

TE: I was always motivated by people who gave everything; the ones who were a step above. Growing up, I looked up to athletes like Ronnie Love (one of my favourite football players), Bo Jackson, Walter Payton, and Hershel Walker—you hear some of their workout regimes, the things that they did were just “more.” If you want to be the best, you have to give more. I wish I would’ve adopted that earlier on. I worked very, very hard as a football player, but I know I left some on the table. I know I could’ve done more. But I also liked going out and partying at the time! You like and you learn. Right now, I like to see people succeeding. I like success stories. I like people that work really hard. Most people see athletes or celebrities, but they don’t see the behind-the-scenes work that goes on, or the sacrifices and struggles. People think they’re just lucky; well of course, but you’ve gotta be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good! I currently look up to people like Todd Durkin; he’s a really good educator. It’s not one specific person, but more well-rounded guys.

JF: Did the fear of success or failure ever stop you from accomplishing anything? How did you move past it?

TE: I don’t know if it’s stopped me from accomplishing anything. Obviously there’re going to be things people like and don’t like. I heard someone talk about posts on Facebook and social media; one thing that stuck with me that he said was to never go by the amount of likes, because nine out of 10 times, if there’s something that you poured your heart into that you feel really strongly about, and it doesn’t get a lot of views, you could get discouraged. But you can’t let anyone else be the determining factor in your success. Just make sure you put out something you believe in and that you’re authentic about. That should be good enough. We sometimes get lost in the external pieces, or what other people are doing, and we start second guessing ourselves. Like I said, there are things I could’ve done a lot better, but those are the things you learn through experience.

JF: What is your definition of a life well lived?

TE: You don’t really know until you’re actually gone. But I think it’s about “What are the people closest to you saying about you?” I have two girls, so family is huge to me—more and more every day. I lost my dad last year, and I realize how important it is to take those moments in, really appreciating what we have right now. Taking advantage of it, and appreciating it—I think that’s a life well lived. If people can say that you helped, that you were a good person, you inspired and motivated people, and you had fun! That’s it.

JF: Do you believe in maintaining your legacy, or are you always trying to get better?

TE: I just try to be the best that I can be, and hopefully that will resonate in person, and in different films and shows, and things like that. But also project into things like canfitpro and my speaking engagements. All these different branches intersect into my SHRED philosophy, which is, “Strength. Heart. Resilience. Efficiency. Discipline.” You’re either getting better or getting worse, that’s all there is to it. That’s a basic principle. So it’s all about how much you want to grasp, and how much you want to achieve something. I’m a big believer in setting goals and going after them.

JF: Considering you have made a mark on the industry and are in no doubt a legend, with already having done so much, what is your next move?

TE: I’m really focused on the here and now. The things and projects I’m working on (the ShredEd and the Fit @ 50) now for the trainers. Still actively pursuing acting and stunts. So for me, I think that only the man upstairs knows what’s next. I’m not looking for a big break or something like that. What’s going to happen is going to happen. I want to see my kids do well, be healthy, be strong. That’s what’s in my mind right now.

JF: Tell me about your appearance at the canfitpro world fitness expo. What does something of this magnitude mean to you?

TE: I love the canfitpro world fitness expo because there’s always something to learn. That’s one of the best things about fitness, is that you’ll never know everything, but every year, you can always learn more. My thinking, and how I approach things, is that every year I want to learn one new thing, or either prove or disprove a bias that I have about a type of fitness activity or an exercise. That’s just my style, which is unique. Just being part of something like this, and being put on a platform amongst other fitness professionals who are tops in the field as well, is so flattering. It’s fun and exciting, I feel humbled and blessed. It means I’m doing the right thing and that I’m on the right track. It’s like being awarded, so to speak. I love seeing people that I’ve met three or four years ago, and every time I’m in Toronto I see them. I like seeing those people move forward and continually educate themselves. I don’t want to be the guy about whom people say, “He thinks he’s this, or thinks he’s that.” I don’t concern myself with them, but I just always want to be getting better and moving forward. Always moving forward.

To connect with Tommy on social media, find him on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!