Like many other Toronto area residents, I woke up on March 18th (the day after St. Patrick’s Day) feeling a little bit groggy. As I went through the motions of my day, I prepared for my interview with this week’s Exercise Toronto athlete of the week, Joe Eigo.
 
After speaking with Joe for just over twenty minutes, I hung up the phone not feeling tired and groggy, but feeling rejuvenated, eager and passionate about the rest of my day.
 
I immediately laced up my cross trainers and headed out on a 7km trail run… Joe Eigo has that effect on people.
 
Although I do not know Joe personally, and the extent of our relationship does not go beyond that twenty minutes we spent on the phone, I can tell you that he is a special person.
 
Not only does he have an athletic resume that has seen him achieve more in one year than most people do in their lifetimes, but his way with words and genuinely positive attitude is incredibly motivating and contagious to all those who are willing to listen.
 
“I truly believe anyone on this planet can achieve something if they put their mind to it,” says Eigo. “ Think of it this way, everyone looks up to people who have a black belt – but a black belt is really just a white belt who never quit.”
 
 

 
 
When Joe was growing up (just outside of Toronto), he was heavily involved in gymnastics and quite successful at it – winning the Ontario Gymnastics championship at a young age.
 
“There were times where I wanted to be like all the other kids in school and have the freedom that they had, but in the end my training turned me into the person I am today,” says Eigo. “For that experience I am forever grateful to my parents, my coaches and friends.”
 
Eigo’s early success in gymnastics would lead him to eventually work with world-renowned martial arts master and fight choreographer, Master Tommy Chang. Chang would help mold Eigo into a recognized movie stuntman and YouTube celebrity.
 
It was in 2002 when Eigo created his very first demo reel. A short, web-based video that showcased his martial arts talent and creative abilities. The video was an instant internet hit and Eigo credits this experience as one that progressed his career and opened a lot of doors.
 
“Because of the demo reel I created, my abilities have been viewed on the internet by millions of people… Something I consider a great honor,” he says.
 
“It also provided me the opportunity to become Canada’s first spokesperson for the bioactive health drink, Tahitian Noni and ultimately helped to land me a role in a movie with one of my role models, Jackie Chan.”
 
In 2003, Eigo worked with Chan as a stuntman in Chan’s movie, Around the World in 80 Days. It was an experience that Eigo cherished, and one he still speaks passionately about years later.
 
“Working with Jackie Chan was the opportunity of a life time,” says Eigo. “I learned how to make movies the Jackie Chan way and how great of a person he is in real life. Ever since, I’ve wanted to follow in his footsteps and have taken a lot of his experiences and applied it to my career. Jackie Chan is an individual who treats every person he meets with respect. He’s very youthful and always has a smile on his face.”
 
Moving forward, Eigo’s goal is to open up his own school called Multi Level Moves, an academy that will focus on teaching martial arts and gymnastics, as well as the power of the human mind.
 
In the meantime, Joe continues to stay fit himself, train others, speak to schools throughout the GTA about his experiences and continues to absorb all of the knowledge he can to gain a better understanding of the power of the human mind.
 
“One of my missions is to help create peace on Earth. I believe in order to change the world we must change all the armies to follow a new world army that creates peaceful warriors.”
 
“It’s important to train ourselves for the future by conditioning our bodies, minds and spirits. I believe that we must take care of our health, learn to develop self-defense, power and maximize our full potential by aiming high at realistic life goals.”
 
Joe Eigo:
 
Actor. Stuntman. Trainer. Spokesman. Entrepreneur. YouTube Celebrity. Motivator. Martial Artist. Toronto Native.
 
A fitting candidate for the Exercise Toronto athlete of the week.
 
 
For more information on Joe Eigo, his training and his career, please check out: multilevelmoves.com/
 
 
Exercise Toronto Staff.