When you think of Navy SEALs, you envision grit, endurance, and determination. For Dr. Joe Martin, these values shaped his military career and paved the way for his remarkable transition into the world of fitness, health, and chiropractic care.
In this episode of The Real Deal Show, Joe shares his life's incredible twists and turns, from the rigorous days of SEAL training to founding his gym. Let's get into it!
Dr. Joe Martin’s story begins in the suburbs outside New York City, where he was raised by parents who both hailed from the city. Despite growing up in a sports-loving community, Joe was never the star athlete. “I was always the B-team guy,” he admits.
Also, his grades were average so when he graduated high school, Dr. Joe knew he wasn’t going to be headed for a big sports scholarship. But life soon presented him with a choice, and after weighing his limited options, he decided to join the Navy.
Joe’s decision to enlist was his first "fork in the road," a metaphor he often uses to describe pivotal moments in his life.
He enlisted in the Navy through a buddy system with his friend Chuck, but fate had other plans. Just before boot camp, Chuck got into an accident and ended up dislocating his shoulder, so he couldn’t go. Therefore, Joe was left to enter this new chapter on his own.
During his time in the Navy, Joe was assigned as an admin—a role that he admits wasn’t quite a fit. “People look at me now and can’t believe I was an admin guy because I’m terrible at paperwork,” he jokes. But despite feeling out of place, fate was leading him toward another fork in the road.
While stationed at Subic Bay in the Philippines, Joe met a group of Navy SEALs who trained at the gym. “I saw these guys in the gym all the time and asked them, ‘What do you do?’ They told me they were SEALs,” Joe recalls. At that time, Joe had only a vague idea of what Navy SEALs did, having briefly encountered them during boot camp. But the seed was planted.
Despite failing the swim test during his first attempt to join the SEALs, Joe was inspired by these men to try again. “I wasn’t a great swimmer, but something clicked, and I said to myself, ‘I want to do this,’” Joe explains. He applied, passed the test, and was on his way to becoming part of one of the most elite military units in the world.
SEAL training is infamous for its intensity, but even Joe, a determined and fit young man, wasn’t prepared for the cold reality of Hell Week. "It’s hard no matter what, whether you did it in the '70s like me or today. It’s mental and physical," Joe emphasizes. But for him, the toughest moment came when he was pulled from the water during a frigid swim, his body succumbing to hypothermia.
“They pulled me out of the water and threw me in the showers. I didn’t quit, but they said, ‘Tomorrow, same thing again,’” Joe remembers. The next day, the thought of quitting became all too real. Exhausted and demoralized, Joe walked into the first phase office, ready to ring the bell.
But that’s when one of his mentors, John Hall, stepped in. “He said, ‘You’re a great runner and motivator. We think you have what it takes,’” Joe recounts. Those words were enough to keep him going. The next day, Joe swam like a torpedo and finished at the front of the pack. “From that day on, I didn’t have any more problems. It just clicked.”
This moment became a defining lesson in Joe’s life. “The only easy day is yesterday,” he repeats, the SEAL motto that guided him through not just training but the rest of his career. He learned to break challenges down into manageable parts, taking it one "evolution" at a time.
“When you’re doing something miserable like carrying logs or swimming in the cold, you just have to remind yourself that it will end. Every evolution ends,” Joe says. It’s a mindset he’s carried with him long after leaving the SEALs.
After serving six years as a Navy SEAL from 1978 to 1985, Joe decided it was time to transition into civilian life. He returned to Philadelphia, where he pursued a degree in exercise science at Temple University.
But Joe wasn’t done pushing himself. With his passion for fitness and health still burning strong, he enrolled in chiropractic school and became a doctor of chiropractic, specializing in sports medicine.
For Joe, the transition from military life to civilian life wasn’t as dramatic as it might seem. “SEAL training instilled in me a mentality of always pushing forward and staying healthy,” Joe explains. He took the discipline and fitness focus from his SEAL days and applied it to his new career.
Over the years, Joe has built a successful chiropractic practice, but he never strayed far from his love of fitness.
About nine years ago, Joe took another fork in the road and opened Doc’s Gym in Clovis, California. The gym started with a simple concept: a place where people could not only work out but also receive top-notch chiropractic care and health services.
What began as a humble idea quickly became a community hub for fitness enthusiasts, first responders, and military hopefuls. “We donate the gym Monday to Friday at 5 a.m. for anyone who wants to become a first responder—police, fire, paramedic—so they can come and train for free,” Joe says.
He views it as a way to give back, helping young men and women who may not have the resources to prepare for these physically demanding careers. “It’s about giving them a leg up, helping them shine in the academy,” he adds.
Joe’s gym isn’t about being a “globo gym” filled with rows of machines. Instead, it’s a functional training space that focuses on building strength, resilience, and community. “We have a powerlifting team, and we help athletes and first responders get ready for their careers,” Joe says. The gym’s atmosphere is all about positivity and pushing limits—just like Joe’s SEAL days.
At 63, Joe isn’t slowing down. He’s still in the gym daily, training himself and others, constantly finding ways to give back to the community. But Joe’s commitment to positivity is what stands out most. “People ask me why I’m always in such a good mood,” he laughs. “It’s a choice. You can either be in a good mood or a bad one. I choose to be in a good mood.”
His dedication to staying mentally and physically fit is about more than just his own health—it’s about setting an example. “I want to lead by example. Staying mentally fit is just as important as staying physically fit. And when you get older, you don’t have to slow down. You can keep running and gunning,” Joe says with a grin.
Looking to the future, Joe has big plans. He’s in the process of franchising Doc’s Gym and launching an apparel line, "112 Apparel," named after his SEAL training class. “I want to build a brand that’s about more than just fitness—it’s about giving back to the community and staying true to those values,” he explains.
A portion of the proceeds from the apparel line will go to military and first responder charities, continuing Joe’s mission to serve others.
His story reminds us that true strength lies not just in physical prowess, but in mental fortitude and the support of a "team." Today, Joe continues to live by the SEAL motto: “The only easy day was yesterday”—a guiding principle that has shaped his incredible life and career.
To hear Jim's captivating story firsthand, and learn more about his unique approach to fitness and life, be sure to watch the full episode on our YouTube channel.
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