From his viral “Best Places to Poop at Disneyland” video to “Posting My Fits To Feel More Confident” series, Orange County native and Content Creator Erick Lopez, also known as Beastly Appetite, shares his journey with fitness, how following his passion led to a huge career pivot, and the importance of showing up for yourself.

From Swim Club to the Weight Room

Erick’s fitness journey began in middle school when his concerned parents put him in a swim club in an effort to get him active. What started off as a gentle nudge, later blossomed into swimming and playing water polo for a respectable 10 years — even leading him to compete and coach water polo throughout college! Later, he transitioned into CrossFit for several years and eventually began olympic weightlifting.

How a Viral Video Sparked a Passionate Career Pivot

Although the discipline Erick built over the years had instilled drive, it wasn’t until he served 4 years in Montana in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that he realized he needed to prioritize his mental health and make a career pivot into his true passion: being creative. It sparked a hilarious viral “Best Places to Poop at Disneyland” video, leading to a Dude Wipes sponsorship and even an interview with tv-personality Ryan Seacrest on the popular 102.7 radio station! Gaining momentum early on encouraged Erick to forge his own path as a content creator, creating share-worthy videos with delicious food, fun-filled theme parks, and the latest in entertainment.

Becoming More Confident and Finding His Personal Style

Despite lacking motivation, Erick stresses the importance of showing up for yourself. Although he’s struggled with self doubt since childhood, Erick emphasizes that “your best” looks different every day, even if it’s simply posting something that brings him joy.

“There's days that I don't want to go work out. There's days that I don't want to work. There's even days where I don't really want to see any of my friends or family. It's not a 'fake it till you make it,' but it kind of is at the same time... because if I don't fake it, then I just don't get out of my funk. I want to show up for myself, and that's the most important thing ever.” Having this mindset has significantly helped him overcome challenging days and get out of a funk, ultimately leading him to finding genuine happiness.

For most people, trying your best looks different everyday. Starting his “Posting My Fits To Feel More Confident” Series gave Erick the opportunity to push himself out of his comfort zone, frequently sharing his outfits of the day, his cologne, accessories, and more. "If you would've asked me two years ago if I had any style, I would've laughed and said 'definitely not', but I feel like I've seen enough people and have asked my friends for  advice on how to dress. Now, I've been trying to implement it more by sharing what I'm wearing and opening up about my struggles with confidence."

Want to follow Erick’s adventures? Learn more about him here!

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