For audiences who came of age during the golden era of 1990s television, David Charvet is a name synonymous with sun-drenched beaches and the high-stakes drama of prime-time soap operas. As Matt Brody on Baywatch, he was the quintessential rookie lifeguard, an icon of physical fitness who graced posters in millions of teenage bedrooms. Later, as the dreamy Craig Feld on Melrose Place, he cemented his status as a household name. However, for those looking for the real David Charvet today, the glitz of the red carpet and the artificial drama of a television set have long since been replaced by something far more grounded and, arguably, more fulfilling: the role of a mentor, a business owner, and, most importantly, a father.
Today, Charvet’s legacy is being redefined not by the roles he plays on screen, but by the physical and professional structures he is building alongside his 18-year-old son, Shaya Charvet. Together, they have launched BUILD, a revolutionary fitness concept that serves as both a testament to their bond and a serious contender in the competitive landscape of Southern California’s wellness industry.
The Genesis of a New Venture: A Father’s Reflection
The inception of BUILD was not merely a calculated business move; it was a profound moment of paternal introspection. Following his son’s high school graduation, Charvet found himself standing before the athletic bleachers that had served as his second home for years. As an active father who had made it a priority to attend every practice, game, and milestone of his son’s high school career, the silence of the empty stadium triggered a sudden realization.
"When I was at his graduation, I was looking at those bleachers because I was there every single day after 3:30 p.m. after work, and I used to always watch him and just support him throughout his whole high school career," Charvet shared in an exclusive interview with Muscle & Fitness. "I didn’t miss a day. And so, I was leaving the graduation and I said, ‘Wow, I’m never gonna see these bleachers again.’"
That sense of transition sparked a period of deep self-reflection. Charvet began to question his motivations for his latest entrepreneurial endeavor. Was he creating a fitness platform simply to be in business, or was it a subconscious mechanism to maintain the proximity he had grown accustomed to throughout his son’s upbringing? The realization was immediate: "And the answer is definitely yes. I couldn’t see myself not being able to be close to my son, and I guess I deliberately created something that he was interested in and he was very passionate about."
The Science of Sweat: Understanding the BUILD Concept
Co-created alongside fitness expert Maria Chase, BUILD is a high-concept strength training program that is rapidly carving out a niche in Southern California. The core of the BUILD methodology is its commitment to physiological efficiency and longevity. Unlike high-impact HIIT classes that can leave joints inflamed and the cardiovascular system overtaxed, BUILD utilizes a 45-minute format that integrates progressive heavy lifting with low infrared heat and medical-grade LED/NIR red light therapy.
This combination is designed to allow clients to exert maximum effort while minimizing systemic stress. The heat facilitates deeper, more efficient sweating, while the red light therapy aids in cellular recovery. Each studio, designed and developed by Charvet’s own construction firm, is limited to just 10 students per session. This intentionally small class size allows for a highly personalized, boutique experience, focusing on low-repetition movements using weights ranging from 10 to 95 pounds, with a strict focus on isolating upper and lower body muscle groups.
A Legacy of Discipline: Shaya’s Journey to Trainer
While David Charvet brought the vision and the infrastructure to the table, it is his son, Shaya, who has emerged as the heartbeat of the operation. Shaya’s trajectory into the world of professional fitness was not a sudden decision, but rather the culmination of a lifelong apprenticeship under his father.
"He’s been taking me to the gym since I was probably 8 years old," Shaya notes. "He had me working around the house, and when you instill that work ethic in your kid, it for sure has an impact. I think just him always pushing me. He was very hard on me as a kid in a good way, especially with sports, just having me do training and instilling this discipline in myself."
For the father-son duo, the gym was the primary theater of their relationship. From age eight until his mid-teens, training together was their primary form of bonding. While David was a successful actor and entrepreneur, his most enduring gift to his son was the understanding that excellence is a byproduct of relentless, disciplined practice.
The Shift: From Protégé to Partner
As BUILD began to take shape, David found himself shifting from a teacher to an observer, and eventually, to a peer. He admits that watching his son step into the role of a trainer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
"He kind of took it upon himself in the last three years to learn more about the science behind it and everything else to the point where he blows me away now because he talks about things that I had no idea about," David says. "I see somebody that is completely involved and has really taken the passion and being creative at the same time and is really giving a quality lesson. And I sit back sometimes and I go, ‘Holy moly: This is my son.’"
The dynamic has evolved as well. In the early stages of BUILD, David was, by his own admission, a "nitpicky" critic, constantly refining his son’s coaching style. Today, those boundaries have shifted. Shaya, now comfortable in his expertise, acknowledges the evolution of their working relationship. "He was super nitpicky [in the beginning] and he’s my dad, so obviously he’s gonna be harder on me than anyone else. But now? Not anymore. I like feedback, but when it comes to the classes, that’s what my expertise is in and that’s what I do."
Strategic Expansion and Future Implications
The success of the BUILD model in Studio City has provided the duo with the confidence to look toward a national expansion. Their goal is to scale the concept while maintaining the integrity and intimacy of the 10-person class format. This, however, presents a unique challenge in the fitness industry, where scale often leads to a dilution of quality.
By keeping the focus on the "science of the sweat"—the integration of infrared heat and red-light therapy—they are banking on the fact that modern consumers are increasingly looking for efficiency and recovery-focused workouts rather than high-intensity, high-risk training.
For David, the goal is not just business growth; it is about fostering a culture of mentorship. He views his son now not as a subordinate, but as a business partner. "I don’t talk to him as my son," David explains. "I talk to him as my business partner, as an equal, and that’s kind of how we go about things now. I’ll always be his dad and I’ll always be standing on the sidelines watching him, but I want him to also be able to be his own man and experience the things that he’s gonna need to experience."
The Philosophy of "110 Percent"
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the Charvet partnership is the philosophical foundation upon which BUILD is constructed. It is a philosophy that has been passed down through generations and is now being codified into a business model.
"The greatest lesson I think [my dad has taught me is] that anything is possible when you truly believe in it," Shaya says. "If you’re gonna do something, you do it 100%, and if you’re not gonna do it 100%, why do it at all?"
This mantra—a commitment to total immersion—is what has allowed the Charvets to blur the lines between family time and professional enterprise. Whether it is in the studio, at the construction site, or in the boardroom, the pair operates with a singular focus on quality and discipline.
Conclusion: A New Chapter
The story of David and Shaya Charvet is a poignant reminder of the power of shared purpose. In an industry often dominated by superficial trends and fleeting influencers, BUILD stands out as a project rooted in genuine human connection. David Charvet may have once been known for his role as a lifeguard, saving lives in the fictional world of television, but today he is focused on a different kind of impact—one that involves helping his community achieve physical wellness while simultaneously building a lasting, meaningful legacy with his son.
As they look toward the future, the duo remains firmly grounded. They are not chasing the ephemeral fame of their past, but rather the tangible, daily success of helping others transform their lives. In the world of BUILD, the most important workout isn’t just about the weights being lifted; it’s about the strength of the bond that keeps the business moving forward. For the Charvets, the bleachers may be empty, but the arena they have built together is just beginning to fill up.
