Total AthElite: A Motto To Wear — And Live By

Newark natives Anthony and Christopher Cuturrufo were taught never to give up.

The 21-year-old twin brothers have carried that motto with them in every aspect of their lives since childhood, and now, the pair hopes to spread that message with a business venture: Total AthElite Wear.

With simple designs and crafted in-house, the apparel is meant to be motivational wear, to inspire people to set goals and work toward them.

“It’s not necessarily meant just for (athletes). It’s the idea of 'don’t let anything get in your way,' ” said Christopher Cuturrufo. “It may sound like athletic wear, but it’s a lifestyle. It’s about family and relationships.”

Total AthElite Wear comes in different designs, with an emphasis on the word “elite,” and the words “Finish What You Started” bolded and capitalized.

The idea for a clothing line came after a Christopher Cuturrufo hurt himself at work a year ago when 1,500 pounds fell him. He had trouble walking for more than three months.

“I had a broken pelvis, a bruised tailbone… I didn’t know my exact recovery time,” he said. “But I knew I was not going to let this hold me back.”

With the support of his family, Christopher Cuturrufo started going for walks and eventually recovered completely.

“I’m here today, and feeling better than ever,” he said.

Six months after the injury, Christopher and Anthony Cuturrufo began building Total AthElite Wear. A friend helped with the design, and they’ve sold more than 700 shirts since July.

Becoming a big brand isn’t their intention, but their goals are endless, Anthony Cuturrufo said.

“We just want people to find out about us,” he said.

“And let the message be known. What’s the harm in letting one person know [the moral]. What’s our ultimate goal? To make a difference in people’s lives,” said Christopher Cuturrufo.

Their father, Cristian Cuturrufo, added that they hope the motivational apparel will act as a reminder of the goal setting.”

“These days it takes a lot [to reach goals],” Cristian Cuturrufo said. “It’s a way to allow your goals to become a priority,” he said.

People have shared their tales about reaching their goals — from hiking at Yosemite to running the Nike Women’s Marathon — on the Total AthElite website. And the Cuturrufos said seeing how the gear impacts others has made it worthwhile.

Shirts and sweaters go from $10-$20. Part of the proceeds of all sales are donated to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, a way of giving back, since the twin brothers needed care when they were born three months before their due date, Cristian Cuturrufo said.

You can follow Total AthElite on Facebook.