Guest #19 | Ian Smith. Resilience.
Defiance. Healing. Comeback.
Gym owner and public figure Ian Smith became a national symbol of resistance during the COVID-19 lockdowns. In this episode, he opens up about his fight for freedom, the backlash, and how he’s now helping others heal through Summit Rejuvenation and Recovery CBD. It’s a story of grit, purpose, and relentless resilience.
🎙️GUEST #19 | Ian Smith Talks COVID-19 Lockdowns, Summit, and Recovery CBD…RESILIENCE
💪 Lockdowns, Loss & Loyalty to Truth | Ian Smith on Courage, Fitness & the Fight
Episode Description: Gym owner and freedom fighter Ian Smith joins Deep Shallow Dive to share his story of defying lockdown orders, losing everything, and rebuilding through physical discipline, CBD, and absolute refusal to submit.
What Does It Cost to Stand for Something?
In this no-BS, high-impact episode, Ray Doustdar sits down with Ian Smith, the New Jersey gym owner who became a national symbol of resistance during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Ian’s story isn’t just about masks or mandates—it’s about conviction, discipline, and paying the full price for freedom.
Ian walks us through his battle with the state, from refusing to shut his gym to racking up over $2 million in fines. But the story doesn’t stop at resistance—he talks rebuilding, wellness, and how fitness and faith became the anchors that kept him grounded when the world called him crazy. He also breaks down how he’s helping others reclaim health and autonomy through his growing CBD brand and his mission to redefine masculinity in a world that’s trying to erase it.
If you’re feeling cornered, censored, or crushed by the system—this episode is proof that you can fight back and still come out stronger.
👤 Who Is Ian Smith?
Ian Smith is the co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, NJ, who made headlines for defying state lockdown orders during COVID-19. A former athlete turned advocate for fitness, freedom, and self-sovereignty, Ian now runs a CBD company and uses his platform to challenge the political machine, defend civil liberties, and push physical strength as a foundation for mental freedom.
🔥 Key Topics in This Episode
Why Ian refused to shut down his gym—even as the state came after him
How over $2 million in fines turned into a national stand for freedom
What it means to rebuild when the media, government, and public all turn on you
The link between physical fitness and mental sovereignty
How Ian uses CBD and daily discipline to rebuild the nervous system
What real masculinity looks like in the age of social control
Why political fear is the ultimate tool of population management
🧠 What You'll Learn
That resistance starts with the body, not the ballot
How the system counts on you to quit—and how to not
Why discipline is the antidote to fear
The role of CBD in regulating trauma and restoring balance
How Ian found spiritual and psychological resilience in struggle
That courage isn’t easy—but it’s always worth it
🗣️ Ian’s Most Powerful Quotes
“You don’t need permission to be free. You just need the guts to act like it.”
“The fines didn’t break me. The media didn’t break me. I already knew who I was.”
“Your nervous system remembers trauma—but it can also learn strength.”
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🧭 Final Takeaway: Freedom Demands a Physically Ready Soul
Ian Smith’s story is about more than resistance—it’s about preparation, physically and spiritually. He shows what it means to be strong, steady, and unwilling to fold in a world built to make you weak, sick, and scared. This episode is a blueprint for building the body and mind that can hold the weight of truth.
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