Published on 05, Apr 2023

At Activated Aesthetics, Everyone Becomes a Better Version of Themselves 

Veterans Dean Patrick Werner II and his wife Saori Werner, who own Activated Aesthetics, know there are two kinds of people who come to the gym: those who have been lifting weights since they were born and those who haven’t. “People in the first group are 100% confident and know exactly what they’re going to do the moment they arrive,” says Dean. “Those in the second group, however, hesitate at the door. It’s intimidating for them to walk into a gym full of weird equipment and sweaty strangers. We keep an eye out for them so that we can give them a special welcome. We know that no matter what our fitness goals may be, in the end, we’re all just people.”

Activated Aesthetics, as you may have guessed, is the type of fitness center where everyone is on a first-name basis. Located in Killeen in Central Texas, it is frequented by active service people, veterans, the city’s police department, the SWAT team, veteran seniors, youth, and the local community. It was started by Dean and Saori, an interracial couple who earned their BS degrees in Health Science after being honorably discharged from the United States Army Active Service. Managing their own fitness company together as a team was a natural next step.

“Both of us cared deeply about helping people to improve their health and fitness,” Saori explains. “We also knew that there was an alarmingly high number of veterans who were struggling with PTSD and anxiety, and we believed that exercise and a supportive community could help them overcome these issues. We wanted Activated Aesthetics to be that place where anyone could come and simply be themselves as they worked to get healthier, however they defined that.”

Since opening their fitness center and online personal coaching service, Dean and Saori have guided thousands of soldiers, officers, and civilians along their health and wellness journeys. At the core of their programs are weight loss, strength training, and fitness motivation. Yoga, boot camps, boxing, nutritional advice, and meal plans are all popular. Dean says, however, that Activated Aesthetics is really about helping people to reach their personal best, not just providing them with state-of-the-art equipment.

“When we get to know someone, we typically hear that they would like to build up muscle or lose a few pounds so that they can feel more energized and better about themselves,” Dean says. “We tell them it’s absolutely possible - anything is. But, there are no shortcuts. If they are ready to put in the work, they will eventually see the results.”

That philosophy explains why both Dean and Saori frequently go from person to person, encouraging them to push on even though their body is tired and their mind is screaming for them to quit. They have become good at spotting someone who is wavering and who needs inspiration to remain true to their vision and destiny. 

“To succeed, they must be willing to go against the grain and throw aside the odds,” says Saori. “They must push back against any negative influences that would stop their progress. In our fitness center, we work hard to develop a daily commitment in our clients and an unwavering belief in themselves.”

They are just as determined to help their online clients succeed, whose numbers have increased since the pandemic. In particular, they have experienced a surge in couples who are interested in personal coaching.

“They tell us that by working out together, they can improve their health, motivate each other, and deepen their relationship,” Dean reveals. “It’s a lot of fun for us to come alongside them online so that they can get stronger.”

Dean and Saori have also seen their fitness center make a positive impact on the youth of Killeen. By working so closely with the police department, they have developed strong bonds with its officers. Dean, who was raised by a cop, says they are seizing the opportunity to show teens and kids that not all officers are bad. 

“We have very friendly, supportive relationships with local law enforcement,” he states. “It is amazing the chances we have been given to help grow Killeen into a stronger community, all because we have a common desire to become the best version of ourselves.”

As Activated Aesthetics grows, Dean and Saori continue to serve as brand ambassadors for 1st Phorm, which offers fitness supplements and fitness apparel. They also have plans to expand their online training program so that they can serve more clients across the United States.

“We are just getting started with Activated Aesthetics and with helping people to never settle for less than they deserve,” says Dean. “No matter how big we grow, our ultimate goal will never change: to be there every step of the way with each client so that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.”