About Us
What is Black Death?
Welcome to the Black Death family, where the spirit of resilience meets the art of fitness. Our brand draws inspiration from the mysterious and iconic plague doctors from the Bubonic Plague of 1347–1351, notoriously known as the Black Death. We stand against the modern plague of negativity, victimhood, and superficiality. This is for those who push themselves; physically, mentally, and morally.
Black Death Gym Apparel is more than just a clothing brand, it is a movement dedicated to self growth, self respect, and a relentless 'no excuses' mindset.
Black Death Gym Apparel maintains a zero-tolerance policy for negativity or excuses. It stands for individuals who take full accountability for their progress, understand the value of discipline, and embrace the grind without looking for shortcuts.
Each piece in the collection is crafted to reflect the brand's hardcore and unapologetic aesthetic. From cyberpunk-inspired oversized pump covers to Korean accent designs, the apparel merges bold themes with high quality materials, ensuring both style and durability in and out of the gym.
Wearing Black Death Gym Apparel is not just about fashion; it's about embodying a mindset. It is for those who stand against mediocrity, who train with purpose, and who take pride in their relentless pursuit of success.
Are you ready to rise above the plague?
About the Team
Joey and Layla
CEO + Chief Technology Officer
Layla
I was born half Honduran and half German. My identity is rooted in resilience, discipline, and fire...qualities forged through adversity, not comfort.
At 17, I was diagnosed with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Since then, I’ve faced chronic pain and daily physical battles that could have defined my limits. Instead, I made a decision: my conditions would not define me.
My transformation has been intentional and uncompromising. I walked away from destructive habits. I replaced late nights with early mornings. I chose strength over self-sabotage. The same woman who once coped through alcohol now smiles on her way to the gym, choosing discipline over distraction.
I built myself into the role model I once needed.
What I lacked growing up, I became.
Recently, I stepped into my greatest role yet, motherhood. Joey and I welcomed our baby into the world, and becoming a mother has only deepened my strength and clarity. Six months postpartum, I came back stronger than ever... physically, mentally, and emotionally. Pregnancy did not slow me down. It refined me. It sharpened me. It reminded me exactly what I am capable of.
Being a mother has expanded my “why.” It fuels my discipline. It strengthens my resilience. It raises my standard.
Having been surrounded by loss throughout my life, I learned early that time is not promised. That perspective drives everything I do. I work relentlessly toward the day I can say, without hesitation, “It was all worth it.”
Through Black Death, I channel my lived experience into something bigger than myself. This brand is not just apparel, it is a testament to rebuilding, enduring, and refusing to stay broken. I pour my heart into every collection, every design, and every message because Black Death represents proof that struggle can forge strength.
My mission is simple:
Resilience is built, not given.
Pain can become power.
Motherhood is strength, not limitation.
And even in the darkest chapters, you can choose to rise.
CEO + Chief Design Officer
JOEY
Army Veteran, Half Korean and Half Danish. Uprooted myself from the depths of victim mentality. When you hit rock bottom there are two choices you can make, continually become a victim of circumstance or endure the isolation to focus on self growth.
Former alcoholic now turned amateur bodybuilder, triathlete and hybrid athlete.
Strong men are needed in this world, the Black Death brand to me is much more than just apparel, it's the culture of rising above. There are messages and cultural significance crafted into each product designed by yours truly.
It's time to shape the world together one day at a time, no ones perfect, everyone has a choice and a community is stronger than an individual.
Let's get it. Jesus Christ is King.
Brand operations assistant
Jaden
I’m half Italian and fully relentless. My life has been defined by reinvention. Choosing discipline when it would’ve been easier to stay distracted.
I grew up as an athlete. Competition shaped me early. But when that chapter ended, I lost more than a sport, I lost my identity. Without structure, I fell into a season of drinking, smoking, and living in a party girl culture that left me disconnected from who I truly was. I was chasing validation instead of purpose.
Bodybuilding became the anchor that pulled me out.
What started as a physical transformation became something far deeper. As an NPC Bikini competitor, I found structure again. I found purpose again. I found fire again. And through my first prep, I found my way back to God.
Discipline rebuilt my body, but it also rebuilt my spirit.
At the end of 2025, I was baptized, marking a full-circle return to the woman I was always meant to become. That moment wasn’t just symbolic. It was a decision to live differently, with intention, faith, and self-respect.
Bodybuilding is not a phase for me. It is my passion. As someone who once believed her competitive years were over, discovering the bikini division felt like redemption. I will forever be grateful for this sport. It gave me back my fire. It gave me back direction. It gave me back myself.
I first met Joey and Layla at Crunch Fitness during the earliest stages of Black Death. I was drawn to their intensity and belief long before I ever worked alongside them. I supported the brand as an ambassador for nearly a year, building community and representing its values. Through consistency, communication, and alignment with the mission, I earned the opportunity to step into a deeper role.
As Brand Operations Assistant, I help strengthen systems, support internal organization, enhance communication, and ensure execution stays aligned with vision. My athletic background gives me discipline. My coaching experience gives me empathy. My communication skills allow me to connect, lead, and build community authentically.
As an online fitness coach, my mission is to help women transform physically, mentally, and spiritually. I know what it feels like to be stuck. I know what it feels like to rebuild. And I believe discipline is one of the highest forms of self-respect.
Through Black Death, I stand for rebirth. For resilience. For choosing growth over comfort. For becoming the woman I once needed.
And I’m nowhere near finished.