JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The creator of Xtreme Hip Hop with Phil made a stop in Johnson City on Saturday, bringing his high-energy workout program to the Memorial Park Community Center.

Phillip Weeden said he was excited to visit Johnson City and share his passion for step fitness.

“I’m very excited to be at Johnson City, Tennessee,” Weeden said. “I never even heard of the city, but I’m glad I’m [here] to touch the lives [and] see the people impacted through my fitness program, because it saved my life.”

Weeden said his battle with depression inspired him to keep moving, and now he hopes to encourage others to try.

“I battled with depression… and step exercise helps me, it helps me calm down, get everything out,” Weeden said. “But on the flip side of it, this is my outside version of me when I step, you know, having fun… I love doing what I’m doing because I’m impacting people’s lives.”

He encourages beginners to start small and learn at their own pace.

“So that way you can learn and go off there, and then you come to the city near me and have fun with me,” Weeden said.

For more information on Weeden’s Xtreme Hip Hop program, click here.