It is highly likely that you have, at some point, stumbled upon multiple fitness influencers across Instagram and Tik Tok. These creators oftentimes post intense workouts, videos, and pictures of their superhuman physiques. At times, these influencers may seem superficial, only focused on physique and exercise. However, this is far from the case, and the most evident case is Mr. Austin Dotson.
Austin Dotson, born October 17th, 1991 in Carson, California is a digital creator and fitness influencer who is unlike any other. Growing up, Austin was always interested in sports, and played football throughout high school. He struggled a bit with financial hardships, and knew that his parents would not be able to afford undergraduate tuition. Fueled by this reality, Dotson worked day and night, mentally and physically perfecting his craft, and became consumed by the game of football. By the end of highschool, Dotson’s dedication landed him multiple scholarships across the nation. He committed to Sacramento State University, where he continued his football career. After graduating, Dotson went undrafted to the NFL. This unsettling defeat proved to be only a small obstacle. Motivated more than ever, Dotson continued rigorous training and networking, until he finally landed a contract as a professional football player. Dotson played for two years in the arena league, which is considered professional athletics, but it is not the National Football League. After his two years in the league, he finally retired.
Dotson put his dreams of becoming an NFL player in the past, and moved on to other endeavors. He landed a job working at a mortgage company for 8-12 hours a day. He stopped exercising, began indulging in alcohol, and spiraled downhill. Dotson was arrested for a DUI on Christmas day. During this time, he had a daughter to pay for, her mother was in the hospital and terribly ill, his football career was over, and he did not have the money to support and sustain himself or his family. He fell into a deep depression until January 3rd, 2017. On that day, Dotson looked at himself in the mirror and said “I’m going to become a better man, and a better father for my daughter.” That was the day that would change Dotson’s life forever…
From that point, Dotson dropped all bad habits like alcohol, drugs, and women. He filed for unemployment and used that money to get a membership at 24 hour fitness. He began to research what to eat, how to eat, and how to train. He began to fall in love with the process of becoming healthy. He felt better not just physically, but mentally. Dotson landed a new job as a behavioral therapist, which was paying more than his old job, and gave him more time off to train and be with his daughter. He went on a grind, and then looked in the mirror again to see a new person that was completely different than who he saw six months prior.
Fast forward, Dotson has been on two magazine covers, he is an SAG commercial actor, he has been published in Men’s Health Magazine, and has acquired national press release, has been hosted on news stations, and is a celebrity influencer on social media with well over half a million followers. Now, Dotson looks to use his social media influence to inspire the lives of others.
Dotson’s Instagram alone is home to over 550,000 dedicated followers, all anxiously waiting for Austin Dotson’s next pro-tip on fitness and health. Dotson’s digital creation and influential videos have proved to be amongst the top of Instagram’s health and fitness digital creators. To say the least, Dotson is a creator with a passion and a story, and he elects to share this with his followers through his Instagram Reel’s and videos. On top of Austin’s rise to fame, he is sponsored by and partners with many well known brands and athletes including GymShark. To see more about Austin Dotson and his amazing digital creations, check out his Instagram page here.