Today we’d like to introduce you to Reza Pazooki.
Hi Reza, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Salt Lake City, where the mountains were my first mentors—always towering, always present. I found solace and adventure in those peaks, and it was in that landscape that I learned the power of movement, challenge, and connection. Summers were spent biking through the red desert of Southern Utah with my closest relative and mentor, Bobbi Hughes, which sparked not just a love of the outdoors, but a deep curiosity about people and places. That sense of adventure has taken me around the globe, always seeking meaningful connection with others—often through shared movement.
Over time, I realized that the most transformative moments happen when we’re challenged, seen, and surrounded by nature. That’s what led me to create Ageis Collective—a space for people to grow through immersive, active experiences that blend the natural world, vulnerability, and a reimagining of what it means to be strong. Many of our journeys return to Southern Utah, where it all began for me, and where I now get to help others find their own path to connection and self-discovery.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I tend to be a perfectionist, which can be both a motivator and a roadblock—especially when working in the context of people, where perfection doesn’t exist. Human dynamics are beautifully messy, and learning to let go of control and lean into imperfection has been one of my biggest growth edges.
Recruitment has also been a challenge. I’m passionate about creating meaningful, immersive experiences, but I’ve had to learn how to articulate that value in a way that resonates with others and inspires them to say yes. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ve come to realize that the right people show up when I stay true to the purpose behind the work—connection, growth, and redefining what it means to be in a community of adventurers.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Before diving into the world of movement and mental health, I studied accounting at Westminster University in Salt Lake City while working for a local design company. I loved the creative process, but I eventually realized I wanted to work more directly with people—and in a way that felt active, embodied, and transformational. That led me to personal training, where I found a real sense of purpose helping others reconnect with their bodies and discover what they were capable of. I eventually opened my own private training gym in Manhattan, blending my experience in design, business, and human connection to create a space that feels intentional, welcoming, and growth-oriented.
Today, I run Brickhaus—a boutique personal training space in NYC—and lead Ageis Collective, a men’s group and retreat series focused on redefining masculinity through adventure, authenticity, and connection. What sets my work apart is how it integrates movement, emotional health, and nature. This isn’t just about fitness—it’s about full-spectrum wellness. I specialize in helping people (especially men) reconnect with themselves and each other through active, immersive experiences—from one-on-one training to curated retreats in places like Southern Utah and abroad.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of creating spaces—both physical and emotional—where people can show up as they are, challenge themselves, and walk away feeling stronger, more grounded, and more connected. Whether it’s in a gym session or on a canyon trail, I want people to feel seen, supported, and inspired.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that this work is about more than movement. It’s about community, transformation, and redefining what strength means—individually and collectively. Whether you’re stepping into a training session in NYC or joining us for a retreat in the desert, the invitation is the same: bring your full self, and be ready to grow.
Any big plans?
Right now, I’m wrapping up a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which has been a deeply meaningful addition to the work I already do. My goal is to more intentionally integrate mental health into all aspects of my work—whether that’s in the gym, on retreat, or in group settings like Ageis Collective. I’m especially interested in combining somatic work, relational therapy, and nature-based experiences to support healing in a holistic way.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand our reach. That includes planning more international retreats that blend cultural connection, movement, and personal growth. I’d love to take groups to places that have personally shaped me—like Southern Utah, the Mediterranean, and Latin America—and continue creating spaces that feel adventurous and restorative all at once.
There’s also a long-term vision of deepening the Ageis Collective offerings into a more robust platform that includes ongoing groups, trauma-informed workshops, and collaborative work with other practitioners in the mental health and wellness space. Big picture: I’m building something that connects people across borders, across identities, and back to themselves—through movement, through community, and through meaningful, immersive experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rezalutionfitness.com
- Instagram: @rezalution.fitness
