Inside the Mind of Jack West: Marine Corps, Fitness, and Life Beyond the Gym

Jack West doesn’t hold back. From growing up with a coach for a dad to his time in the Marine Corps, his story is packed with wild moments and lessons learned. In this Q&A, Jack opens up about his fitness journey, shares some hilarious memories, and gives insight into what drives him.

Whether it’s pushing through adversity or getting the perfect pump, Jack's experiences are real, relatable, and inspiring. Let's dive in and see what makes this Gymreapers athlete tick.

1. What Was the First Time You Got in Trouble as a Kid?

"I remember one time I brought a tiny pocket knife to school. It was the smallest knife ever. I pulled it out in class because I thought, 'There's no way I’d get in trouble for this.' But, I was wrong and ended up getting suspended for a few days. I guess, I don’t pull knives out on people nowadays, no matter how big or small."

2. What Was the Best Part of Playing Sports in High School?

"Honestly, the best part was that my dad was the high school football coach. Being able to hang out with him and have him coach me was something I really cherished."

3. What’s the Story Behind the ‘Winter 2020 Bulk’?

"The Winter 2020 bulk was a legendary time for me. I lived with four of my closest friends, and we trained at a local gym that refused to close. We’d go in every night and get insane pumps. That’s also when I started making content. It was a special time."

4. What Is a ‘Big Dawg’?

"A 'Big Dawg' is all about mentality. It’s going into the gym and doing 'Big Dawg' activities—lifting heavy, training hard, being consistent, and having fun."

Want to train like Jack? Check out his Push Day Workout for a chest, triceps, and shoulders. [Read more here]

5. What’s the Key to Getting a Good Pump?

"Make sure you're properly fueled. Hydration and electrolytes are key. Maybe toss in some Cialis here and there—but I wouldn’t recommend that ."

6. Why Did You Get Your First Tattoo?

"I have this little ruby tattoo on my leg, and it doesn’t mean anything. I was about to get a bigger piece and wanted to know what it felt like to get tattooed. Funny enough, I later got a bulldog named Ruby, so it kind of came full circle."

7. What Songs Are a Must for Workouts?

"Top tier: 'Noticed Me' by Balance and Composure. I’m not a huge fan of the band, but the last 60 seconds of that song go hard. It’s my go-to PR song, nine times out of ten."

Jack West in his workout essentials: the Gymreapers Performance Short Sleeve Shirt and Performance Shorts—perfect for any training session.

8. What Songs Are Overplayed?

"'Dark Beach' by Pastel Ghost. It’s a good song, but it got overused. Same with Crystal Castles—I used to get heat for liking them, and now it’s cool."

9. What Was Your Job in the Marines?

"I was a small craft mechanic, mostly working on boats. I wasn’t great at it, but I had some proud moments, like when I fixed a boat engine at the reconnaissance team leader course. That was clutch."

10. What Kind of People Did You Meet in the Marines?

"You meet all kinds of people in the Marine Corps. I remember this guy named Tyler—he was a smaller, hick country kid, and we became friends. You end up bonding with people you’d never hang out with in normal life."

11. What Content Would You Have Made in the Marines?

"I would have made similar content to now—just going hard in the gym, training with my best workout partner, Lewis. We would’ve made epic content together."

12. What’s the Best Advice You Got in the Marines?

"Just push through adversity. We called it 'embracing the suck.' You’re not alone in your struggle; others are going through it too, so keep pushing."

13. How Did You Pack on Mass in the Marine Corps?

"I didn’t track macros—tracking would’ve been impossible. I was watching guys like Kali Muscle and CT Fletcher and just ate as much as I could. I’d hit the chow hall and go back for seconds or thirds, especially for chicken and rice."

Want to add size like Jack did in the Marines? Check out his Back and Biceps Workout Guide with Gymreapers athlete Gabby Fortune. [Read the full guide here]

14. What Was Your Favorite Chow Hall Meal?

"Breakfast, 100%. I’d always flirt with the ladies at the chow hall for extra eggs and omelets. It was a vibe."

15. What’s Your Favorite Treat?

"My girl bakes, and she makes a Crumbl cookie dupe that’s better than the real thing. I have to put a ban on baking sometimes because I can’t resist."

16. Why Are Airports Your Worst Nightmare?

"I hate airports. I was in the Marine Corps, and I have airport PTSD from being stuck on a runway for hours once. It was freezing, and we didn’t leave until 6 AM. Now I avoid airports whenever possible."

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17. Best Part of Living in Las Vegas?

"There’s always something going on in Vegas. Great gyms, good weather, and a lot of good people."

18. Worst Part of Living in Las Vegas?

"The drivers. It’s like a risk every time you get on the highway because people drive like maniacs."

19. Best Part of Living in Washington?

"Washington’s vibe is unmatched. The rainy, overcast days are my favorite. You can be in nature within ten minutes, whether it’s the woods, the ocean, or a lake."

20. Worst Part of Living in Washington?

"Traveling is a pain when you live in the middle of nowhere. I had to drive two hours to the airport, which might explain my airport PTSD."

21. What Is ‘P Way The Only Way’?

"I can’t reveal the exact meaning—it’s an inside joke from back in the day. But when I started making content in 2020, we started saying 'P Way, The Only Way.' It stuck with us."

22. What Would Your Dog Say if She Could Talk?

"She’d say I’m her favorite, but I don’t give her enough treats. She’s the most jacked bulldog, but I swear I feed her!"