Phil Ramirez didn’t plan to be a trainer. It started with his little brother. Just two siblings in the gym, pushing each other, dreaming big. Phil had played college and university ball at a time when there weren’t many Filipinos on the court. That mattered to him. Representation mattered. So he trained hard, not just for himself, but for what it meant.
But life doesn’t always follow a straight path. When Phil’s mother passed away, his world shifted. He went to the Philippines to support his brother’s career and ended up staying a year. That time brought new struggles: grief, addiction, depression, and a quiet battle with alopecia. He lost his hair, his sense of direction, and nearly lost himself.
Coming back home, Phil wasn’t sure where he belonged. But basketball had a way of calling him back. Every time he tried to walk away, a message would come in: “Can we get a workout in?” It was never just about the drills. It was about trust. Impact. Healing.
Today, Phil leads with something deeper than strategy. He teaches belief. Mental toughness. Heart. His workouts are loud, passionate, unfiltered. His message is always clear: the game saved him, and now he gives back by building young, tough-minded kids who know they can survive whatever life throws at them.
His motto says it all. “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.” And Phil Ramirez is living proof.
