Exclusive: TORCH'd Founder Isaac Boots Is Taking the Fitness World by Storm, Says His Business 'Keeps Growing in an Authentic Way'

Isaac Boots has come a long way in his career — after taking the virtual fitness world by storm in 2020 amid the pandemic, he offered his TORCH'D classes every day for free for the first time on Instagram.

Shortly after, TORCH'D became one of the most followed fitness classes around the world. From training Gwyneth Paltrow, Kelly Ripa, Vanessa Hudgens, Lisa Rinna, Priyanka Chopra, Lucy Liu and Faye Dunaway, to name a few, in addition to building a TORCH'D empire — featuring an activewear line and energy patches — it's clear he's not slowing down anytime soon.

"I have had the great privilege to work with truly incredible people, and even more rewarding is the friendships that have formed because of our work together. I was just a little boy from Hawaii doing paddle turns on the beach to Madonna songs, and this world seemed so far away. Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself how far I have come and make a point to say thank you to the incredible women who have been a part of my journey," the fitness guru exclusively tells Morning Honey.

It's not lost on Boots, born Isaac Calpito, that he gets to train such amazing people. "Everyone I have worked with really pushes themselves, and it is not limited to preparing for a role or even the aesthetics of it. There is something ingrained in highly successful people that naturally drives them to want to feel good and sustain that. I am a hard worker so I love people that are like minded," he shares.

Growing up, Boots didn't have a "plan" to be in the fitness world. In fact, TORCH'D was "born on the Broadway stage when I was dancing eight shows a week, and I needed something to keep me in shape," he reveals. "The cast of West Side Story would join in organically when I would do it as my show prep. Then when I started working with pop stars as a choreographer I would do TORCH'D to warm them up. Eventually the results spoke for themselves, and that’s how it got started."

From there, he's built a "loyal global following and the people are the foundation of it," he notes. "I am so grateful to each and every one of them. When I turn on my livestream and I see people logging on and connecting with each other or traveling to wherever I am to get TORCH'D and meeting them in person, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be. And now with our TORCH'D Energy Patches and our TORCH'D x Kilogear Weighted Activewear collection (available at Isaacboots.com), I get to see them wearing and enjoying the product! Everything I work on or produce has to be the best because the people in this community deserve it."

Of course, there's challenges along the way, but Boots — who also asked people taking his classes amid the pandemic to donate to No Kid Hungry instead of paying, as it meant a lot to him since he grew up "incredibly poor" — prefers to frame them as "opportunities for growth."

"A dear friend of mine who is an actress gave me constructive criticism recently, and after considering it, I implemented some changes immediately. I think being open to feeling uncomfortable is the key to real success. You can’t believe the good press and compliments if you’re not willing to accept the opposite. Also paramount is prioritizing my own wellness; making sure I am hydrated, working out for myself, reading great literature or doing a Sturm Face mask," he says. "I can get so busy and always traveling that my mental and physical wellbeing can take a backseat. And that can happen when you worry about other people’s wellness. But you cannot fill someone else’s cup if yours isn’t full."

Ultimately, Boots hopes to "inspire people to believe in themselves."

"We are served so much information and we are made to feel like if we aren’t dry scrubbing after drinking three liters of celery juice and two hours of meditation, we are somehow not making the grade, which can lead to people just giving up. I think there is more victory in the little changes. Doing something good for your health is better than nothing at all. If you can only work out for ten minutes. Do it! And celebrate it. It is more than zero. Have a liter of water by your bedside to drink first thing in the morning. Those types of changes we can all do. When you do little things you start to build confidence and your routine becomes filled with great moments for your body, mind and soul," he says.

All of Boots' hard work has paid off, as was named the "Breakout Fitness Star" by the New York Times — a feat he didn't think would ever happen.

"Being a New Yorker for the majority of my life and having the New York Times say this in connection to me is truly humbling. I am very grateful for this community that came together during a difficult time and has stayed together and continues to grow. When I launched my 31-day challenge, we have grown even more and I love being able to be a part of people’s fitness and wellness goals around the world," he shares.

"I am a student of people like Joseph Pilates and Jane Fonda, so I hope to continue where they left off and keep people feeling good and motivate them to take care of themselves," he adds.

Going into 2024, Boots is doing a 31-day challenge for his subscribers for the month of January.

"I am very excited for my upcoming residency at The Maybourne Beverly Hills from January 18- February 22, every Thursday to Saturday at 10 a.m. Also, we have a new collection of our TORCHD x Kilogear, weighted activewear, launching in February, with new styles, and a very special new product with Mindset Wellness! There is always more so stay tuned!" he says.

"This was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life, and the product really does enhance your workout so I love that it lives up to the hype," he says of venturing into activewear. "I loved looking at fabrics and building my inspiration into the collection and the photo shoot. Then to top off this incredible creative experience I got to launch it at New York Fashion Week at The Plaza, which is so emblematic of New York, I mean does it get any better?"

Boots is excited for what the future holds — and has many more things up his sleeve.

"When I started TORCH'D it was exclusively for me as a dancer. Overtime it evolved and it stills is evolving. Adding products that support and enhance the TORCH'D experience like the weighted activewear which helps increase calorie burn, and improve bone density, or our energy patches which help you push through with sustained energy, not just your workout but your day. I love that we have a solid foundation and it keeps growing in an authentic way. We learn more, and we adjust and shift depending where we are in that moment," he concludes.