By Tjuan Hicks, The Fit Son of iLivFIT’s “THE FIT FAM”

Sweet Pain & Silverback Gains | Workout with Olushomo “Shomo” Oni

This week, Mom and I took a drive back into some familiar territory—Mansfield, TX—but this time we went even deeper into the woods… all the way to Kennedale, TX. There, tucked away like a secret temple for the true iron disciples, we discovered a place that can only be described as a heaven-style gym warehouse made for the serious bodybuilder.

Here, only big weight is allowed. The kind of place where the people will push you to your limits, fan you as you pass out, then hand you another dumbbell and tell you, “Alright, now let’s go!” It’s no place for the faint of heart—perfect for what I had in mind.

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Meet Shomo – The Energy King

We were invited to this iron haven by a friend Mom had introduced me to—Olushomo Oni, known to many simply as Shomo. My electric-energy brother from another mother!

Now, here’s the thing: on social media or just seeing him in person, you might be intimidated. Shomo is massive, powerful, and throws around heavy weight like it’s made of styrofoam. But the second I met him face-to-face and he opened his mouth, I knew we were going to have a blast. High energy doesn’t even begin to describe it. This man is pure good vibes and go-time rolled into one.

From the moment Shomo picked up his first dumbbell at just 13 years old, he’s never looked back—over three decades of weight training and 25 years of coaching later, he’s still living and breathing fitness. His passion isn’t just about building muscle; it’s about transforming lives from the inside out. Having competed in everything from marathons to Spartan races, CrossFit to bodybuilding shows, Shomo brings a wealth of experience to every client, whether they’re aiming for weight loss, muscle gain, contest prep, or simply better health. From teenagers taking their first step into fitness to seniors reclaiming their vitality, Shomo’s mission is clear: to inspire lasting lifestyle change through the power of movement, discipline, and self-belief.

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The Occasion – A Birthday Beatdown

When we arrived, we were met with a huge smile, a laugh, and Shomo’s contagious excitement. The workout we were about to do wasn’t just any workout—it was the kick-off to my birthday.

And not just any birthday workout… a male-centered iron session with my closest brothers and friends. No ladies this time (sorry Mom). Just heavy weights, loud encouragement, and a mission to leave every ounce of strength on that gym floor.

Shomo graciously agreed to guide us through what would be a truly hell of a workout—the perfect way to bring in my new year.

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Inside Silverback Fitt

The gym—Silverback Fitt—is a masterpiece, handcrafted by the owner himself (a man I can’t wait to introduce you to in another post).

The space? HUGE. High ceilings. A wall of iron. Machines so unique that I had to pause just to figure out how to use them. Upstairs, a cardio loft. Downstairs, a turf sprint field. In the back, a posing studio with mirrors all around so you can check those gainz from every angle.

And here’s the kicker—it’s tucked way back inside a warehouse compound, so no one can hear you screaming from the burn. Yes, this is exactly the kind of place where legends are made.

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The Warm-Up (That Felt Like a Workout)

We kicked things off with a calisthenics gauntlet—25 pushups and 25 squats, back to back, five sets, non-stop.

Here’s the rule: no one finishes before Shomo.
Sounds easy, right? Wrong. By the third set, everybody was feeling it, and some guys tried to speed through just to end the pain. But Shomo kept us in check—slow, controlled, precise.

Next, we hit a circuit rotation—low row machine and lat pull-downs, dropping the weight each set until four rounds were complete, then switching to the other movement. This is where the competition lit up. Who could pump the most weight? Who would gas out first?

Let’s just say—by the end of that rotation, the tone was set.

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The Real Workout – Sweet Pain

Now… you might think that was the workout. Nope. That was just the warm-up.

The real session? Oh man. I won’t spoil every detail because I want you to experience this “sweet pain” yourself, but I’ll give you two hints:

1. Halfway through, Superman fell.
   One of our biggest, strongest teammates had to step outside to catch his breath (and possibly his soul). Shomo didn’t just let him fade—he picked him back up, centered him, and brought him back to fighting shape like a coach straight out of a sports movie.
2. The Finisher.
   Shomo’s birthday gift to me was a pull-up burnout battle. Head-to-head. The only way to leave was to hit 36 pull-ups—one for every year of my life. The rule: Don’t. Let. Go.
   Your brothers could help you get up for the next rep, but the second you let go, it was over. My arms sang with that “sweet pain” for three days straight. And yes, it was glorious.

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Your Turn to Experience It

This was a 5 out of 5 Fitventure—no hesitation. which leads us to our FIT CHALLENGE of the week! 1st, If you want to experience Shomo’s energy and training style for yourself, he’s open for business. DM him on IG, book a session—it might just be the most challenging (and rewarding) workout of your life. 2nd, If you have never tried it, we challenge you to workout with that BIG SWOLE guy that you know this week. I’m sure you already joke with them all the time! “Oh man, I need to get in the gym with you”, this time just add a few words on the back end that says : When’s your next workout? This one is a easy one, I know you’re going to feel uncomfortable, but it wouldn’t be a “FIT CHALLENGE” if it was just a walk in the park. This is how you LIVE FIT, and if you don’t know a swole guy, click the link below! we’ve just introduced you to a new one.

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Join Us on the Next Fitventure

At iLivFIT, these adventures are just part of our normal rhythm. Mom and I are always trying new workouts, meeting amazing trainers, and finding the best fitness experiences out there.

You can join us—check our Fitventure schedule and pop up with us. Whether it’s trying a new trainer, meeting like-minded people, or shaking up your workout routine, we’ll be right there with you.

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Final Word from The Fit Son

Mom and I have made it our mission to share the best of the fitness world with you, all in one place, so you can FIND YOUR FIT.

Next time you think fitness—think iLivFIT.com. We’ll be here waiting. And in the meantime, I’ll be out there jumping into the next workout. Come jump in with me.

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