June 2025 Athlete Of The Month

Name: Shail Patel

Age: 29

Occupation: Supply Chain Consultant 

What brought you to Baltimore Built? I was looking for a place that could challenge me and help me grow, and I’d always been curious about Olympic weightlifting since I’d never done it before. Baltimore Built stood out for its focus on proper technique, strength training, and a supportive community — it felt like the right environment to start learning and pushing myself.

How long have you been a member at Baltimore Built? Been at Baltimore Built for 2 months and still fired up every time I walk in. Loving the grind so far!

Were you athletic or involved in sports when growing up? If so, what sports and or activities did you participate in? Yes, I’ve always been athletic and involved in sports. I played basketball, soccer, badminton, and competed in shot put and discus — winning many medals in those events. I also played cricket and volleyball casually. A few years ago, I took up boxing, and now I’m learning Olympic weightlifting since joining Baltimore Built. I enjoy challenging myself and exploring different sports.

Were you working out regularly prior to joining Baltimore Built? If so, what were you doing? Yes, I was doing regular gym workouts before — mostly strength training and cardio. I took a break for about a year.

Why do you workout? I work out to feel stronger, both physically and mentally. It helps me stay disciplined, clear my head, and push my limits. I also enjoy learning new skills like Olympic weightlifting — it keeps things challenging and rewarding.

What is your favorite lift or movement and why? Right now, I’m really into cleans — they’re all about power and technique, and when you hit a good one, it just feels amazing. I also love back squats because they build serious strength and keep me grounded. Both lifts challenge me in different ways, and that’s what makes training fun.

What is your favorite workout or type of workout and why? I’m all about strength workouts — I love building muscle and getting stronger. There’s something really satisfying about seeing progress in the weights I can lift and feeling more powerful every session. It keeps me motivated and focused.

What have you accomplished as an athlete (big or small) during your time at Baltimore Built? One of the biggest things I’ve accomplished at Baltimore Built is just getting back into a consistent training routine after a break. I’ve been rebuilding my strength, especially on movements like the back squat, and working on my conditioning, both of which were pretty rusty when I started. I wouldn’t call it a big win on paper, but for me, showing up regularly, improving my form, and pushing past mental and physical barriers has been huge. Just feeling stronger and more confident again feels like a solid accomplishment.

What fitness goals do you have for the next year? Over the next year, my main fitness goals are to continue building strength especially in compound lifts like the squat and clean and to improve my conditioning so I don’t gas out during HIIT or longer workouts. I also want to stay consistent, avoid injury, and work on better movement quality overall, like mobility and posture during lifts. Long-term, I’d like to see progress I can feel in and out of the gym, not just numbers on a bar.

How has your fitness influenced and/or impacted your life outside of the gym? Fitness has had a big impact on me outside the gym, especially after taking time off and coming back to it. It’s helped me feel more like myself again, more grounded, more focused, and less stressed. It’s also reminded me how important it is to take care of myself, not just physically but mentally. Just getting back into a routine, pushing through hard workouts, and seeing small wins has built my confidence and carried over into how I handle challenges in everyday life.What hobbies and activities do you enjoy outside of the gym? Outside the gym, I enjoy going to events and festivals, especially food festivals. I like checking out new places, trying different cuisines, and being around good vibes. I’ve also been spending more time at Gunpowder State Park lately, it’s a great place to just chill, clear my head, and enjoy nature. Walks along the harbor are another favorite of mine when I want to relax and reset.