Arturo (Art) Zapata was born in Brownsville and raised in Port Isabel. He graduated from Port Isabel High School in 1992 and enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in December 1993.

During his career as an active duty Marine, Coach Art dedicated his time to maintaining his fitness by leading his junior Marines in his Unit’s physical fitness programs designed to maintain a high state of physical readiness. He was also assigned as a Corporal’s Course Leadership Instructor where he mentored and taught young leaders the fundamentals of leading physical fitness programs.

His was later assigned as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, SC where his main focus was crushing the delicate minds, bodies and souls of America’s youth in their path to glory.

Art retired from active duty after 20 years of honorable service in 2013 as a Chief Warrant Officer 2.

He is now focused on guiding individuals to bettering their lives through Health, Nutrition and Fitness modalities.