Fitness influencer faces backlash after comments about Navajo women
Giuli Frendak | KOB
Fitness influencer faces backlash after comments about Navajo women
A video of fitness influencer Larry Wheels making remarks about Navajo women during a Gallup visit has drawn backlash and cost him followers.
GALLUP, N.M. – A video of fitness influencer Larry Wheels making remarks about Navajo women during a Gallup visit has drawn backlash and cost him followers
Wheels traveled to Gallup in late June for an appearance at a local gym and streamed parts of the visit on YouTube
In the video, Wheels also said, “How many people in this city are kidnappers that are thinking about kidnapping us right now?”
He later made comments about Navajo women, saying, “What do female Navajos do? Do they work? I don’t think any of them work. They get free food, benefits, money.”
Wheels also said, “I just believe they get countless benefits from the state, depending on how much they have in their bloodline,” Wheels said
A local man posted that part of the video on TikTok and asked for someone to fact-check Wheels
Anthony Rosales, a Gallup business owner with three Navajo sisters who have degrees and good-paying jobs, said the comments hit him personally
“At first it made me angry, you know, and then it made, made me sad at the same time,” said Anthony Rosales of Wowie’s Gym Gallup
“When he said that, that made me think of them. like he doesn’t even know who they are, and he’s putting them down,” said Rosales
“Now seeing him say that, I just lost all respect for him, and I’m pretty sure a lot of people have too,” said Rosales
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women said the comments connect to larger concerns about how people talk about Native women
“Language shapes attitudes and attitudes influence how communities respond to violence and injustice, and the mission and the work that we do is to eliminate violence from our tribal communities,” said Tiffany Jiron, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
The coalition said it offers re education and advocacy across tribal communities
“This is bigger than one viral video, it is about ensuring Native women are treated with respect and humanity,” said Jiron
Statement from Larry Wheels
Wheels later released the following statement about his video:
“The comments I made were wrong plain and simple. They were disrespectful to Navajo women and to the entire Gallup community, and I take full responsibility for them. There’s no excuse, and I’m not going to offer one. The people of Gallup and Cowboy Iron Gym welcomed me with incredible warmth and hospitality, and they deserved far better from me. I have apologized directly to the gym’s ownership, and I apologize publicly to everyone my words hurt especially the Navajo women in that community, who are mothers, business owners, healthcare workers, and leaders. I was ignorant, and I own that. Cowboy Iron Gym and the people of Gallup did nothing wrong here. The fault is entirely mine, and any criticism should be directed at me, not at them.”
Statement from Cowboy Iron Gym
Tiffany Robinson of Cowboy Iron Gym, which hosted Larry Wheels on June 27, released the following statement:
“As a Navajo woman, these comments affected me deeply. They affected my family, my friends, and the community that raised me. While Cowboy Iron Gym hosted this event, this is not simply about a gym. It is about a community that welcomed a guest with kindness and respect and was met with words that caused real hurt. We stand with our community and Cowboy Iron Gym stands with our community
We hosted this event because we wanted to give back to the people who support us every day. Approximately 80% of the people who walk through our doors every day, our members and employees, are Navajo. They come through our doors to improve their health, encourage one another, and build a stronger community. Outside the gym they are hardworking parents, grandparents, teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, business owners, tradespeople, and neighbors who contribute to our communities every single day.
Our community welcomed Larry Wheels with generosity and hospitality. In return, we were all shocked and deeply hurt by comments that portrayed Navajo women and our community in a way that does not reflect who we are. Those comments were offensive, inappropriate, and harmful. They do not represent the hardworking, resilient, and compassionate people we know and love
Had we known these comments would be made, Larry would never have been invited to our event
As soon as we became aware of these comments yesterday through our members and staff, we immediately contacted Larry Wheels, made it clear that his comments were unacceptable, and ended any future relationship with him
Since then, Larry has expressed remorse and issued a public apology. Taking responsibility for his words is an important first step, but we have also encouraged him to take the next step by supporting Native communities in a meaningful way
We believe a donation to a Navajo-led nonprofit chosen in consultation with community leaders would be a meaningful way to show his commitment to learning from this experience and giving back to the community that welcomed him
This is bigger than Cowboy Iron Gym. It is about standing with a community that deserves dignity and respect. The Diné, the Navajo people, have shown resilience, generosity, and strength for generations. Those qualities deserve to be recognized, not reduced to harmful stereotypes
One of the greatest lessons our community has taught us is that true strength starts with character. Our community welcomed Larry with open arms. We only wish that same respect had been shown in return
Today our focus remains where it belongs, standing beside our community, supporting one another, and making sure the dignity of the Diné is never diminished.”
