Michael “Mike” Campanella Obituary, Death – PEX Health and Fitness Founder Remembered at 40
Michael “Mike” Campanella of Medfield, Massachusetts, formerly of Easton, died on Saturday, November 14, 2026. He was a fitness entrepreneur, former competitive boxer, and mixed martial arts fighter whose dedication to athletics and generosity left a lasting impression on friends, teammates, and those who worked with him.
Known to many as “Muscles-Marinara,” Mike founded PEX Health and Fitness in 2017. Through his work in personal training, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, nutrition, and athletic development, he helped others pursue their fitness goals and improve their performance.
Before establishing his own business, he worked at Pure Performance Training from 2009 to 2016. His professional journey reflected years of experience and a strong commitment to physical fitness and athletic development.
Mike attended Buckingham Browne & Nichols High School, graduating in 2005. During his school years, he played football and earned All-New England recognition in track and field. He later attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, concentrating in Race Relations.
His athletic achievements extended beyond school sports. Mike built a competitive record in professional boxing, finishing with 10 wins and three losses. He won the Central Massachusetts Golden Gloves Championship in 2013 and also competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, earning a purple belt and recording three MMA wins.
Following news of his death, friends and former teammates shared heartfelt tributes celebrating his life and the impact he had on others. Elias Leo Akiki remembered him as a great friend, teammate, and fighter who loved his family.
Nicholas Fontecchio also paid tribute to Mike, recalling how they first met through football before reconnecting at Connors Martial Arts. Their friendship grew through training and competition, and Fontecchio remembered Mike as someone he admired for his encouragement, generosity, and willingness to help others, even while managing his own businesses.
Away from his professional and sporting commitments, Mike cherished his family. He married Liz Molano Campanella on January 1, 2016, and together they raised their two daughters, Leila and Giuliana. His wife and children were an important part of his life, and friends remembered the love and devotion he had for them.
Michael Campanella’s death has left family members, friends, former teammates, and members of the fitness and martial arts communities mourning his loss. His legacy will be remembered through his achievements in sports, the business he built, and the many people he encouraged and supported.
He is survived by his wife, Liz, and their daughters, Leila and Giuliana, along with other family members and loved ones.
May Michael “Mike” Campanella rest in peace.