It’s Monday evening and Brentwood residents Vivian Szeles, Thatiana Salinas and Lori Huchton are pushing a one-ton 1982 GMC Suburban behind the LA Boxing building.

The truck actually runs just fine.

The trios’ exertions are part of a workout routine led by local personal trainer Jose Garcia, who specializes in combat sport recovery, therapeutic recovery, mobile training and contest preparation. He has worked with everyone from pre-teen kickboxers and mothers to mixed martial arts fighters and Ms. Olympia contestants.

Most famously, Garcia has served as physical therapist for MMA fighters Nick and Nate Diaz, working with Nick when the Stockton-based athlete took on renowned fighters BJ Penn and Paul Daley. Garcia has also trained triathletes.

But no matter how famous or obscure his clients are, Garcia treats them all with respect. “I’m so blessed because this is my passion,” Garcia said. “I want to give everyone a chance to see what intensity is, and what recovery’s about – the full package. Being able to build you mentally, break you down physically and repair your recovery to become a mentally stronger person, physically stronger and a high-spirited person.”

His clients swear by his techniques. Model and Brentwood resident Kasey Perry utilized Garcia’s Body By Jose boot camp after injuring her back and neck in a car accident. She said she’s worked with other personal trainers, but none were as positively motivating as Garcia.

Since starting the boot camp, Perry has dropped 15 pounds and three pant sizes. She’s now back in front of the camera. “I’ve met with a lot of trainers because of my profession, and he’s by far the best,” Perry said. “He doesn’t take failure as an option. He pushes you and drives you.”

Garcia grew up in a rough neighborhood – Tondo, Manila in the Philippines – where he described his upbringing as “Spartan.” His family moved to Oakland when Garcia was 10, and he excelled as a wrestler and football player in high school. But when as a senior he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees, he was forced to re-evaluate his life.

“I wanted to learn more about the body and how to make it work,” Garcia said. “I didn’t think I’d be able to walk again.”

Garcia started taking nursing courses at Chabot College, intending to become a physician one day, but found he enjoyed training with fellow football players more than schooling. He got a job at a gym, where he found his niche.

After his brother, Joseph Garcia, suffered from a defective heart valve and recovered from a coma, the siblings decided to go into business together. With financial help from their mother, they opened up the LA Boxing franchise at Garin Ranch.

Now Jose Garcia works as a trainer at LA Boxing and Joseph handles the business side. Jose loves watching people change for the better as they go through his program.

As evidenced by the truck push, Garcia has come up with some innovative ways to promote exertion. He has also started training via the video instant messaging system Skype. After initiating this program, Garcia’s clientele grew from the Bay Area to the world. Now he has clients in such far-flung places as Hong Kong, Sydney and Hawaii.

Garcia is in the process of branching out from Brentwood and working with clients throughout the Bay Area, bringing his brand of training to various gyms. He looks forward to working with all kinds of people, such as those who want to simply tone up and drop a few pounds, or others looking to sweat it out for a total body renovation.

Salinas tried working out at other gyms in the area, but didn’t find the right fit until she started training with Garcia at LA Boxing.

“He’s good if you want to see fast results – he will get you there,” Salinas said. “I lost 10 pounds and I’m more toned. I’m happy. I can’t see myself missing one day at the gym.”

Go to www.bodybyjose.com for more information.