Personal trainer, published author and proud Blue Hen Shaun Zetlin returned to campus earlier this spring to share his journey of emotional fitness.

Rewriting the rules of strength

Article by Artika Casini Photos by Evan Krape June 16, 2025

Alumnus shares journey of strength and self-love

Heroes and villains often share the same origin story: pain, trauma, the feeling of being cast aside. The difference, according to University of Delaware alumnus Shaun Zetlin, lies in what they do next.

“The villain says, ‘I’ve been hurt, so I’ll burn the world down,’” the 2002 graduate explained. “The hero says, ‘I’ve been hurt, and I’ll make sure no one else feels that way.’”

Zetlin chose the latter path. Growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, part of a long line of Blue Hens, he was the kid picked last in gym class. Born with club feet and motor skill challenges, he remembers cruel taunts. One moment stands out: missing a kickball, falling flat on his back, and being called a loser by a camp counselor — laughter echoing around him.

But even then, some small superpower took root. “I remember thinking: I never want anyone to feel the way I just did,” Zetlin said.

As a shy child, he found solace in the arts. Theater became his first training ground for confidence, and Zetlin was cast in lead roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Twelve Angry Men. He arrived at UD with plans to major in musical theater, but it was in Memorial Hall classrooms — exploring Shakespeare and Romantic poets under professors like Kristen Poole — that he felt his intellectual spirit thrive.

“Long before he was an English major, Shaun had the soul of one — curious, reflective, and determined to make meaning out of difficult experiences,” said John Ernest, chair of the Department of English. “He’s a powerful example of how an English degree prepares you not just for a job, but for a life rooted in self-awareness, resilience and communication.”

In a visit jointly sponsored by the Departments of English and Athletics, Zetlin (center) poses with John Ernest, chair of English, and fellow English alumnus Jenn Judy, director of talent management and organizational development for Delaware Athletics.

After graduating in 2002, Zetlin chased acting in Brooklyn, landing roles in indie films and even an unaired episode of The Chappelle Show. But something was amiss.

At a gym, a friend noticed how intuitively Zetlin coached others. “You’re patient, passionate and good at this,” the friend said. “Want a job?” That moment sparked a career pivot — one that would allow Zetlin to heal his childhood wounds, help others, and put his UD degree to use as a published author.

By 2012, Zetlin launched his own business, became certified in nearly every fitness discipline, and began writing extensively — most notably his Push-up Progression books, which redefined the exercise as a core stability tool. “The push-up is a moving plank,” said Zetlin. “It mirrors our posture in real life.”

His most personal work came in 2020 during the pandemic. Emotional Fitness wasn’t just a book — it was a tribute to Zetlin’s younger self. Part memoir, part guide, it offered readers a different vision of fitness: not about aesthetics, but empowerment, healing and self-love.

Now touring the Northeast, Zetlin speaks openly about trauma, vulnerability and the importance of emotional strength. “When I share my story — those hard, painful moments — people come up and say, ‘That was me, too.’ That connection is everything.”

Returning to UD this spring, in an event jointly sponsored by the English and Athletic departments, he stood on stage with fellow 2002 English alumna Jenn Judy, now director of talent management and organizational development for Delaware Athletics.

“Shaun speaks so honestly about the emotional weight people carry,” said Judy. “He reminds us that movement is not just physical — it’s deeply personal. I’ve cried doing squats. Because the body doesn’t lie. It remembers. And healing starts when we learn to listen to it.”

Reflecting on his time at UD, Zetlin envisioned speaking to his younger self: “If I could tell that kid anything, I’d say: You’re strong. You can do hard things. You have to heal yourself, and when you do, you’ll help heal others, too.”

Zetlin’s Blue Hen family attended his talk. Pictured from left to right: his brother, Bryan Zetlin Esq., Class of 2002; brother-in-law, Paul Kutch, Class of 1989; mother, Anita Zetlin, who attended UD in the mid-1980s; father, Steve Zetlin, Class of 1973; sister, Michelle Kutch, Ed.D, Class of 1990; and Zetlin, Class of 2002.