People

Fitness has always been a passion for Miami Fitness Trainer Sammi Stonish. Digital Marketing by day, Fitness Instructor by night, Stonish specializes in indoor cycling and bootcamp. We caught up with Stonish for a Quick 10 interview powered by HALO Sport, but you can also follow her on Instagram – @sammi__jay.

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Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you findyour way to the 305?

FromNY originally. Moved to the 305 for college (it’s all about the 🙌🏽) and could never imagine leaving.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

Fitnesshas always been my outlet and passion. I finally got the nerve to audition tobe an instructor when life started to feel a little complacent [it wassomething I always wanted to do but was terrified of].

What is your favorite part of being a fitness instructor?

Fitnesshelped me get through every tough time in my life. For that reason, among manyothers, I love it. Getting to share that with other people and help them do thesame; that’s a pretty amazing thing.

How do you stay full of energy throughout the day?

Idon’t do well with free time - so a schedule packed with responsibilities andthings I love to do... And, a lot of caffeine 🙈

How would you describe your classes?

Intense,but uplifting - I ask my clients for everything they have in a short period oftime. I push them physically and mentally. But they walk out of that roomfeeling like they could take on anything.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Fadsthat require completely cutting out certain foods from your diet or quick fixBS like skinny teas, waist trainers, etc.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

Myspecialty is indoor cycling and bootcamp. I teach my classes in a way thatevery person in the room feels challenged but capable of reaching their own newlevel. Every single time. Yes, I ask for big things and my classes are by nomeans easy. But, the driving factor is progress, so there is always somethingfor everyone.

Other than where you teach, where is your favorite place in Miamito train?

Solidcore& Rumble [when traveling... I’m waiting on a Miami studio 🙏🏽]

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’re passionate about?

DigitalMarketing (my full-time job is in the eCommerce industry).

What is a long-term goal you are working towards or would love toachieve?

Findbalance - I’m a nonstop person that would like to think I can do it all. I needto be more mindful of the fact that no one can do everything at once and do itwell. I need to be better at being more selective with what I say yes to, andeven more conscious of my mind and body being overworked.

BONUS: What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health& wellness community?

Thatit really is a community. South Florida is passionate about fitness andsupportive no matter where you choose to workout.

Born and raised in the 305, Anthony Mendez is a Cuban American who has worked his way up through the fitness profession here in Miami. Mendez is now an independent Personal Trainer helping clients reach their goals. We caught up with Mendez for a Quick 10 interview powered by HALO Sport, but you can also follow him on Instagram - @mendezfitness.

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Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you findyour way to the 305?

Born and raised in Miami Native - I love my city. I am a Cuban American.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

Igot started in fitness training at Bally’s Total Fitness and moved on from there.Also, LA Fitness, Equinox, and now an independent Personal Trainer.

How would you describe your classes?

My sessions are meant to challenge people both mentally and physically. Using your body and mind together to drive success and also learn more about yourself. Find weaknesses, find strengths, find new movements, and build confidence.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Youcan’t target “fat” - you can’t just do abs and think that it’s going to burnthe fat in that area. You need to train the whole body.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

Ispecialize in loaded and unloaded movement training. This unique style consistsof unconventional tools, bodyweight, flows, and correctives.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’re passionate about?

Learning,growing, and diving into social media and how it keeps expanding.

What is a long-term goal you are working towards or would love toachieve?

Becomingan expert who can teach others to build a powerful and sustaining business.

What is the one thing you do every day to stay fit?

The one thing I do is make sure I follow my healthy habits in the morning every day, avoid sitting for long hours and stay plugged into self-development.

How do you practice mental health in your everyday life?

Istayed plugged into podcasts, attend seminars, events, listen to webinars andmentors. I build my mental knowledge and health. Also making sure to eat theright foods and learn new skills to challenge my mind.

What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health &wellness community?

Ilove how diverse the culture is and love that there’s so much potential here.

“My whole philosophy is really this: we need to understand that fitness is not wellness.”

Sifu Matthew, Kung Fu Healer and Chi Master, founder of the Martial Arts of Wellness (MAOW) and known as the “Injury Whisperer,” has been practicing martial arts for over 40 years. He began his training as a hyperactive child, and from there has gone on to become a trainer and healer to professional athletes and celebrities. 

Most recently, Sifu Matthew has partnered with the Carillon Wellness Resort in Miami Beach. We sat down to ask him a few questions about what he does, the people he’s worked with, and what he has coming up for South Florida.

You’ve worked to heal thousands of people’s injuries over the years, including some big name clients as well–Gwyneth Paltrow, Eric Dickerson, Wes Saunders, and Iman Shumpert, to name a few. Which healing journey has stuck with you the most, and are there any that you still think about now?

What sticks with me is the quickness of how a body can heal when the right technique is used. For example, De’Aaron Fox, an NBA star and the starting point guard of the Sacramento Kings, had a toe injury since high school that wouldn’t heal. His trainers had put a metal plate in his shoe so that his toe wouldn’t hurt, but he was constantly in pain and he couldn’t bend it. I remember working with him at his house, and I spent about six minutes on the toe and it healed completely. He was able to move it, and he had no pain. He couldn’t believe it! I worked on two other injuries he had, which also disappeared on the spot.

This is just a reminder of how little we access of the body’s internal intelligence. I’m sure the trainers were doing an amazing job, working with his hips, his glutes, and making sure that his arches were firing properly. But that’s just one aspect. There’s a fundamental missing piece -- the electricity -- that people aren’t taught how to work with. It always amazes me and my clients that in just a few minutes, certain injuries can heal that have been through unsuccessful surgical interventions.

What is your philosophy on wellness and maintaining health, beyond what you’re doing directly through martial arts?

For me, it’s really about understanding that fitness is not wellness. There is an aspect in all of us that I refer to as “electrical wellness.” We train all the time and most of the time, we are actually damaging ourselves while training. This is because we’re burning out chemicals, but not actually working on how we restore our electric charge.

Most of the time when we’re training in fitness, we build muscles, yet at the same time, we damage our nervous system. We run faster and at the same time exhaust our kidneys. Therefore we’re not looking at the larger picture of how to put together body electrical wellness with mind wellness in a way that’s functional. When you combine the two, you can actually use them to heal yourself. A person can start to understand that after a workout you may decide to go in the sauna, drink some electrolytes, or do acupuncture to try to restore yourself, but it’s not enough. The body has its own language and series of actions designed to repair itself.

There’s a whole science behind what I do and what I teach – you have to be strong in your body, strong in your mind, and strong in your energetics. When all are aligned, this is the picture of global wellness.

Okay, so you’re focused more on a full-picture perspective on health, rather than just maximizing what a body can do. When you’re talking about restoring their body and their electrical charge–how do you go about doing that? Is that based on the healing that you’re doing or are there other specific things within that?

Yes. I teach people how to heal themselves, I don’t just heal them. I have a system called MAOW, which is the Martial Arts of Wellness, and I give specific positions that you hold that change the electricity of your body’s field.

I’m teaching you how to use this electrical force that’s already there to change your cells. All you have to do is go into the position and then let it affect you. What’s interesting is that we don’t understand the full picture of what wellness is yet. For example, you could go to the gym but you might be in a poor state of mind. Then what you’re doing is actually agitating yourself because the body isn’t calm enough to take in any new information. By pushing yourself, you’re actually making your brain hot, and you’re amping up your nervous system. You can also put yourself in poor alignment or just burn yourself out.

What does South Florida have to look forward to from you? What events, services, or workshops do you have coming up in the Miami area?

I’m going to be doing Warrior Force and Healing Intensives on a regular basis. I just finished two of them in September. They are profound immersive experiences where I teach both combat and healing. I teach from a place of first learning to feel your electricity, understanding your internal force, knowing how to heal yourself, and then learning how to interact in a combative situation. I just love the intensives and they’ve been life-changing for people because most people have never made a connection to themselves that way.

We are also going to be doing different types of corporate wellness groups, one-on-one training, athletic training, and we plan to do an event at least every month or couple weeks.

To keep up with Sifu Matthew, check out his: Website, Facebook, and Instagram

Born and raised in Boston, Eric brown moved to the 305 with a pre-law degree and passion for fitness. Five years later, Brown is helping clients achieve their goals. We caught up with Brown for a Quick 10 interview powered by HALO Sport, but you can also follow him on Instagram - @eric_brown305.

*Click Here and Use Code QUICK10 to Get 20% Off Your HALO Sport Purchase*

Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you findyour way to the 305?

I'm from Boston, Massachusetts, and I moved down to Florida five years ago. I graduated with a Pre-Law degree and decided I wanted to move and enter into the Fitness industry. I got a job at Equinox, where I progressed from top trainer to the department Manager.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

I started playing sports my entire life, traveling competitively and had an injury in my senior year of high school which ended my sports career. Working with strength coaches throughout my career as an athlete, I decided to get a job at Gold's Gym as a trainer and I loved it.

How do you stay full of energy throughout the day?

Stayingconsistent, disciplined, and balanced with my diet and fitness throughout theweek. I hold myself to a standard of training 5-6x per week, having my goalallows me to stay disciplined in eating meals, and the combination of bothfeeds my machine to work optimally throughout the day.

How would you describe your personal training sessions?

Informative, intense, challenging, and overall will tax your entire system without pain or being left bedridden for days. The number one thing I consistently teach my trainers is being involved to motivate, or simply enhancing their experience/investment by working on the form of all clients.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Carbs are bad. Here's a mind-blower - carbs you can use as energy alone, fats you can't. To utilize fats as energy, you need carbs. Your body fat mass (aka BF % you want to lose as a goal) is technically called "potential stored energy" and you can manipulate your carb intake to burn off your "stored fat" that you never could shed in the past. The reason is you are missing carbs. It's about balance.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

Strength/Conditioning,Athletic Rehabilitation, Preventive injury, Body Composition, Functional. Irepresent being a "coach" vs "trainer.” Every professionalshould be well rounded within their craft. I specialize in being diverse withinmy specialties but focus on one thing for each "integrity.”

What are you excited about right now?

Thefuture of what my company can do to help within this industry.

What is a long-term goal you are working towards or would love toachieve?

Iwant to hold seminars around the world coaching, teaching, and motivatingothers to do exactly what they are passionate about within the fitnessindustry. I want to help kids without direction find a career like this, I wantto help non-violent offenders find jobs within changing lives, and I'm workingon making this my foundation to help build off the success of our company.

What is the one thing you do every day to stay fit?

Workout,drink a lot of water, meditate, eat 80/20, and most importantly setting goodintentions through each day I start.

What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health &wellness community?

It'sa culture, it's a family, and it's something of value to this community whichis amazing to see so many people value their health.

Libra season runs September 23rd - October 23rd.

Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and love. Perhaps that explains their smooth talk and pretty faces.

RELATED Hey Virgos – Stop Thinking and Start Sweating with These Must-Try Workouts

Like Taurus, which is also Venus-ruled, Libras love to be surrounded by art, culture, and beauty. They love good food and expensive things. Libra knows how to charm, but also how to fight.

Being the sign of the scales, Libras can’t stand anything that’s unfair or unbalanced. You’ll stand up for justice, and you’ll do it with style.

You’re a social butterfly who has to remember to save some time for yourself. Libras can get so caught up in the moment, they forget to handle their own responsibilities.

Libras should learn the beauty of being organized, and you’ll have all the time in the world to enjoy your beautiful life.

The energy of this month is all about the workout balance and enjoying the month with romantic partners and close friends as well as lots of social gatherings. Here are the best workouts to get your balance on.

Pure Barre - talk about balancing ... literally on your tiptoes. This workout will have you balanced in every area of your body. This workout guides you through a series of low-impact, high-intensity movements, designed to strengthen and tone your body in a balance of strength and flexibility.

Ariel yoga at Stardust Yoga - This workout will have you upside down and balancing from the ceiling. It’s the perfect balance of low intensity, strength, and flexibility, mixed with the spirituality of yoga.

Kamps Fitness - This workout is high-intensity every way you look at it. From the sprints to the floor work, it perfectly balances cardio with strength training perfectly. If you’re looking for fast results, loud music, and a killer workout, you’ll find your type of balance here.

Libra is ruled by Venus in the partnership sector of our charts, but regardless of where Libra lands for you, its a great month to partner up. Think about taking your crush or your significant other to one of these balancing workouts, it will be very well received all month.

Born and raised in Boston, Nikki Pepper always felt an attraction to Miami. It wasn't until 2016 when Reebok HQ offered her a position to manage the South Florida marketing efforts, did she make the move. Three years later, Pepper is now a Personal Trainer at Anatomy. We caught up with her for a Quick 10 interview powered by HALO Sport, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @salt.n.peppah

*Click Here and Use Code QUICK10 to Get 20% Off Your HALO Sport Purchase*

Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you findyour way to the 305?

Iam originally from Boston, MA and moved here in May 2016. I relocated down herewhile working for Reebok HQ to cover marketing for their South Florida region,after working at HQ up in Boston. I had always wanted to move down to Miami,and it was the perfect opportunity to take a chance and give it a go.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

Igrew up doing gymnastics from age five and loved being active ever since. I gotmy start in fitness working in Trade Marketing at Reebok HQ. I switched over toField Marketing when I moved to South Florida and started meeting all kinds ofamazing fitness professionals in the process. I loved fitness and helping othersand decided to pursue training full time once I saw how rewarding it can be.

How would you describe your classes?

Tough, fun, and a fire hip-hop playlist! I’ll be smiling the whole time while crushing you simultaneously. Come by Anatomy Miami Beach and take Glute Camp and HardCORE to experience it for yourself.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Thatlifting weights make women bulky.

Other than where you teach, where is your favorite place in Miamito train?

HybridPerformance Method for Olympic lifting with the F. Reis Weightlifting crew!Especially on max out Friday’s.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’re passionate about?

Scubadiving! I go every couple of months around South Florida and in the Caribbean.Our ocean is amazing and it’s crucial we preserve it for generations to come.

What is a long-term goal you are working towards or would love toachieve?

Hardto say for the long-term, but in the short-term working to be better than I wasyesterday, every single day. It’s the small actions you take each day thataccumulate to achieve great results.

What is the one thing you do every day to stay fit?

Walk10,000 steps. Even on my rest days, I make sure to stay somewhat active.

How do you practice mental health in your everyday life?

Imeditate using an app called Calm. I like the guided meditations to focus on mybreathing and being present and apply meditation principles in everydayinteractions with others. I also keep a gratitude journal to remind me of howlucky I am for the people and opportunities in my life.

What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health &wellness community? 

Everyonesupports one another and it feels like one big extended family! I love seeingfamiliar faces and fitness pros and enthusiasts bonding with one anotherthrough their shared passion for health and wellness.

Rachel Scherdin is one of the most popular Pilates instructors in Miami. Her new Coral Gables studio - Transition Pilates, is an intimate experience in traditional Pilates. We caught up with her for a Quick 10 interview powered by HALO Sport, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @transitionpilates.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you findyour way to the 305?

FromNew York, wanted to be in warm weather.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

Istarted personal training in 2011

What is your favorite part of being a fitness instructor?

Beingable to impact people’s lives in a positive way. Watching them grow.

How do you stay full of energy throughout the day?

Ifeed off of my client’s positive energy.  

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

I own a new traditional Pilates studio. Traditional studios are hard to find nowadays because most Pilates classes are now a fusion/ hybrid Pilates.

Other than where you teach, where is your favorite place in Miamito train?

Body& Soul and Kamps

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’re passionate about?

Dogs

What are you excited about right now?

Ihave a few new big announcements I’ll be making around December.

What is a long-term goal you are working towards or would love toachieve?

Educatingthe youth about Pilates. After all, they are our future.

How do you practice mental health in your everyday life?

Deepbreathing, praying and physical activity.

Most known for his Animal Flow and bodyweight movements, Miami fitness professional Jeremy Abramson seems to be everywhere these days. After growing up on the West Coast, Abramson found himself in Miami needing to make a major life change. We caught up with him for a Quick 10 interview powered by HALO Sport, but you can also follow him on Instagram - @coachjeremy305.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from andhow did you find your way to the 305?

I’m from San Mateo, CA, about 20 minutes south of San Francisco.After graduating from the University of Oregon, I landed my “dream job”with the Oakland A’s. Life was good. However, things took a twist in July 2014.In the same week, I got fired by the A’s and found out my girlfriend wascheating on me. At 24, I decided I needed a change of scenery. 

I had a friend in Boca and visited him shortly after my lifeunraveled. We spent a lot of time in Miami, and I was so attracted to theenergy (and weather) of the city. 2 months later, I packed up my Honda CR-V andmoved my life to South Florida.

How did you get your start in fitness and as aninstructor?

Ever since 18, I was passionate about fitness. However, I saw it as a hobby, rather than a career. Things changed after waking up one morning with zero excitement for the day and dreading getting out of bed. I knew I had so many gifts to offer the world, yet I wasn’t doing it. That same day, I quit my job and decided to gamble on myself. That is when my life changed forever and my career in this industry began.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

My energy is my superpower. First off, I prioritize high-qualitysleep. I have a very sophisticated morning routine that consists of a 25-superfoodgreen juice, mushroom-infused coffee, and a lot of water.

I also make sure to move my body throughout the day. Whether it isa 5-minute walk or a 10-minute stretch, we need to keep our bodies and brainsactive throughout. I avoid sitting for long periods of time and make sure tofuel with clean, high quality, nutrient-dense food.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

“No Pain, No Gain” - I literally cringe when I hear people say this. While some mental discomfort and physical fatigue are beneficial, you should never train when you’re feeling high levels of physical pain. Instead, focus on recovery. That may mean making love to a foam roller, having an ice bath, or stretching in the sauna. Just listen to your body, because it is the best teacher you have. 

Other than where you teach, where is yourfavorite place in Miami to train? 

Muscle Beach, South Pointe Park, and Margaret Pace Park. I lovetraining outdoors with a beautiful view of Miami. There are so many powerfulbenefits to connecting with nature. The average American spends 93% of theirlife indoors, so I encourage everyone to take advantage of our beautifulclimate and get outside!

What are you excited about right now?

I’m extremely excited about the StandUp2Sitting Podcast, that Ilaunched in March. It allows me to connect with the top Miami healthprofessionals in a very intimate way. By having these powerful guests sharetheir stories, we are empowering every single listener to do the same. So far,it has been listened to in over 35 countries and continues to grow. You canfind it on iTunes, Spotify, and all other platforms.

What is a long-term goal you are working towardsor would love to achieve?

To launch a non-profit, aimed at impacting inner-city youth through fitness and nutrition. There are so many kids in our city who are struggling and don’t have a positive or safe space to hang out. I want to fill that void.

What is the one thing you do every day to stayfit?

There’s A LOT of things I do that contribute, but I’ll say thatnurturing my relationships is huge for me. I’m so grateful for the people thatI have in my life, especially my parents. I try to communicate with them everyday to let them know how much I love them. Those conversations always leave meinspired. And I always sleep better knowing that my relationships are thriving.And I need that quality sleep if I want to energize and inspire people!

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

A cold shower is non-negotiable. I rarely want to turn the knob all the way to the right, but it’s a great practice of mental toughness. I’m able to translate that overcoming of fear to other aspects of life. It’s a great way to reduce inflammation and speed up your metabolism.

What do you love about the South Floridafitness/health & wellness community?

That it is so diverse, and it continues to evolve. From Acroyoga jams to cacao ceremonies, there are so many unique experiences to connect with the community and elevate our consciousness. 

After growing up in Caracas, Regine Santa Maria came to the magic city in her teens in search of a better life with her mother. Now a Personal Trainer, Santa Maria can be spotted around town working with clients. We caught up with her for a Quick 10 interview powered by HALO Sport, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @bodygoals_re.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you findyour way to the 305?

I’moriginally from Caracas, Venezuela where I lived 14 years of my youth, beforemoving to South Florida with my mother 20 years ago in search of a betterfuture and life.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

My passion for fitness grew through battling a health condition from a young age. I played various sports which led me to the interest of partaking in fitness competitions later on in life. I became a Personal Trainer through the love, dedication, and motivation I received during my course of competition.

What is your favorite part of being a fitness instructor?

My favorite part of being a trainer is the ability to provide my knowledge, experience, and compassion with each individual client through their journey to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

How do you stay full of energy throughout the day?

Honestly,my kids are the reason I’m constantly full of energy.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

My specialties are Kettlebell, Mace Strength/Conditioning, HIIT, and Corrective Exercise. People love the energy and the killer workouts I provide.

Other than where you teach, where is your favorite place in Miamito train?

UFCGym, Trufusion, and Outdoor Training at Tropical Park and Key Biscayne.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’re passionate about?

SaltLife, baby!

What are you excited about right now?

Anupcoming local competition in October – HYROX.

How do you practice mental health in your everyday life?

Forme, working on mental health is when I workout. The best medicine to destress.

What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health &wellness community?

Theconstant support from the community along with allowing me to step out of mycomfort zone. Thank you STAY FIT 305 for the constant support.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Olivia Fernandes couldn't help but give in to her Cuban roots and relocate to the Magic City. Using her degree in Dietetics from Georgia State University, and her passion for fitness, Fernandes can be found at Rise Nation Miami and Flywheel. We caught up with her for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @mrslivfit.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you findyour way to the 305? 

Atlanta born and raised. My half Cuban side brought me back down to the 305. Craved the warm weather and beach life.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

Mybackground is in nutrition with a degree in Dietetics from Georgia StateUniversity. I have always been into helping others lead a healthy lifestyle.After I stopped dancing competitively, I missed the performance aspect andcoaching others through movement. I made the decision to become a certifiedYoga teacher and never looked back.

What is your favorite part of being a fitness instructor?

Being able to not only meet so many different people but to learn from them. Everybody holds a story and learning about my clients is why I do my job. The more I know about my clients, only helps me to do my job better.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

WhenI hear “oh it’s not for me, my body wasn’t made to do that.” Your body and mindare capable of so much. It’s about breaking through those barriers. We can doanything we want; we just have to be willing to work for it.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

Currently, my specialty is spinning, barre and Versa-climbers. Yoga is also such an important part of my teaching, whether it’s how I use it blended in with all classes I teach, or just yoga on its own. My classes are real, my teaching style is real. I’m not here to give you anything that’s not authentic, whatever I’m teaching we are all in there together, so we can walk out a little bit stronger every time.

Other than where you teach, where is your favorite place in Miamito train?

Precision Personal Training. It’s a small gym in Pinecrest. But I have the most amazing trainer that makes sure I too myself, stays on my A-game. (You know he’s good if I’m driving all the way over there.)

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’re passionate about?

Myhusband. I was extremely fortunate to find my ride or die at a young age. Iwouldn’t be able to do the things I do today without him keeping me grounded.So shout out to the real MVP of the Fernandes household.

What are you excited about right now? 

Thefuture. Not knowing exactly where I was headed in life used to be scary. Butnow that I’ve found my passion and get to wake up every day doing what I love,I know I’ll go exactly where I’m supposed too.

How do you practice mental health in your everyday life?

Byacknowledging everything that is happening in my life whether it’s good or bad.Always tempting to want to run away from the things we don’t like or thatchallenge us. I make sure I mentally stay aware and remind myself every day,that as long as I do the best that I can. Everything will work out. Happinessand life are all about a mindset.

What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health &wellness community?

Ilove how close this community is. Miami isn’t a huge place especially in termsof fitness. I love how I run into other instructors on a daily basis.

Welcome to the season of motivation and detail. Expect to be wrapping up loose ends and moving projects and fitness goals at the speed of light! Virgo season runs from Aug. 23rd to Sept 22nd.

RELATED Leo Season is Here, So Let Out Your Fierce with These Workouts

Detail-oriented Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of the mind and communication. Virgos are always analyzing everything. On the outside, you’re sweet, but your quick mind never misses a detail. You’re an amazing, careful listener, and as a result, you give the best advice. You love to analyze everything. 

You sometimes drive yourself crazy, because you never stop thinking. Virgo is a perfectionist and the Goddess of the zodiac (think Beyonce energy). 

As an earth sign, you love the outdoors, and nature helps you chill out. Remember, it’s easy for the helpful Virgo to give, but harder for you to receive. Let your friends pitch in and support you in your workouts this month as it will be a great month to try a new work out with a group of friends. 

Pilates One - The perfect workout for the detail oriented Virgo energy. These classes are all about precision and tiny movements that target muscles you didn’t even know you had. Founder Jeannine Bergman is one of the very few Master Pilates practitioners in the world taught by a direct student of Joseph Pilates himself. In these classes you can expect traditional Pilates moves on the Reformer and Tower - sculpting tools included. Allow your mind to control your body.

Ashtanga at Miami Life Center -  Ashtanga is a traditional series of postures done in the same order every time. Simply put, Ashtanga yoga is a traditional series of postures done in the same order every single time. Talk about a Virgo energy dream come true. No surprises here and its known as one of the top 10 Ashtanga yoga studios in the world. 

Vanessa Brown -  Personal trainer Vanessa Brown is all about building beautiful bodies via focusing on each individual muscle and training it to burnout. Her hyper-focused workouts emphasize form, repetition and precision. The ideal way for Virgo’s to hone their bodies and put that precise energy to good use.

The energy surrounding this month is going to be very light and grounded, but expect to play a little less than last season and work a little more as we move out of the summer months and into the high season of our city. 

Cathy Medina has turned a part-time job at Golds Gym Miami Lakes in 2008, to a successful career teaching Zumba and Strong by Zumba classes all over the world. Medina keeps a busy schedule, but we caught up with her for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram – @catmedinaa.

How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

A part-time job at Golds Gym Miami Lakes back in 2008

What is your favorite part of being a fitness instructor?

Being able to motivate and help people become the healthiest version of themselves.

How do you stay full of energy throughout the day?

Rest up, drink coffee, lit music, and pray.

How would you describe your classes?

It’s like a party but without the alcohol and a lot more sweat.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Modified push-ups with your feet up or the silly women who think weights will do them harm but Cuban bread won’t.

Other than where you teach, where is your favorite place in Miami to train?

Elevation in Downtown Miami

Besides fitness, what's the one thing you’re passionate about?

Eating. 

What is a long-term goal you are working towards or would love to achieve?

Masters Degree in Sports and Fitness Management

How do you practice mental health in your everyday life?

I pray, jump in the sauna, and stretch to disconnect.

What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health & wellness community?

It’s spicy and everyone is pretty much on the fitness trend wave.

All it took was one SoulCycle class for Natasha Whitby to recognize her calling. Through fitness, Whitby wanted to help others going through tough times. We caught up with Whitby for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @natashawhitby_.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from andhow did you find your way to the 305?

I grew up in Connecticut, but I moved to Boston after college and lived there for about six years. It was great, but I knew I needed to be someplace a little more lively. When SoulCycle asked me to move to Miami after training, I couldn't have been more thrilled.

How did you get your start in fitness and as aninstructor?

I got into fitness by simply working out in Boston. I didn't like working out until after college. One day, I tried a SoulCycle class and the instructor said something that I really needed to hear. I was in a dark place in my life and for a moment I had forgotten the negative thoughts going through my mind. It was at that moment I knew I wanted to make other women feel the same way.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

I used to drink A LOT of coffee, but I recently started a cleanse where I can't have any coffee at all. Eating right and getting the proper recovery and rest is vital for any fitness professional. Arbonne makes these "fizz sticks" that are supposed to curb sugar cravings and boost your energy, and considering I haven't had a sip of coffee for 15 days, I'd say they work.

How would you describe your classes?

I'd say my class isdemanding, but sexy. I never raise my voice because I don't think I need toyell to get anyone's attention. I will say what I want to say and you canlisten. I also like to bring out a little emotion from the room because at theend of the day, we're all human and need to express emotion.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

You can build a Kim Kbooty with weights. That's either genetics or surgery. You can attempt to toneand build muscle all you want, but we all are made up of different shapes andsizes.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

I think people enjoymy class at SoulCycle because it's a brief escape from reality for 45 minutesto an hour, but it's still a kickass workout. You can work hard but also get amini therapy session.

Other than where you teach, where is yourfavorite place in Miami to train?

Cross-training is so important. It just feels good on the body to do something else when you teach so many cycling classes. I love Modo or SOL Yoga for hot yoga, JetSet Pilates or [solidcore] for pilates, and Sweat440 or Barry's Bootcamp for more weights.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’repassionate about?

I'm actually obsessedwith self-care and beauty. I have an unhealthy addiction to Sephora. I actuallyhave five different shampoos in my shower right now. Who needs five shampoosfor one head of hair? I do.

What is the one thing you do every day to stayfit?

I try and move everysingle day. Rest days are important, but even if it means walking to WholeFoods versus driving on my day off that makes me feel healthier.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I only practice mental health through fitness, to be honest. The reason I workout outside of my own class is because I too need my "me" time. When I do yoga or Pilates, I practice patience. When I take a more intense class like Barry's Bootcamp, I practice drive and willpower. I also do my best to not compare myself to anyone else. I am me and that will never change - why would I let comparison get in my way of self-growth?

Zolia Garcia knew at a young age that dance was her calling. At age 17, she knew being a Miami Heat dancer was her in future, and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Now, you can dance with Garcia at Vixen Workout class or leading one of her own SoulMastery classes. We caught up with Garcia for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @Zoilagarcia_.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from and how did you find your way to the 305? How did you get your start in fitness and as an instructor?

I was born in Cuba and came to Miami at the age of three. All my life I loved dancing, singing, and acting at all the family barbecues. At age 17, I saw a Miami Heat game and went insane because I knew I wanted to become a Heat Dancer. At the age of 21 I became a Miami Heat dancer and was able to do that for one year. I am a working actress in Miami, I teach a dance-fitness class (VixenWorkout), and I am a fitness professional. About a month or two ago I created my own class — SoulMastery. It’s high intensity, yet self-reflective workout that makes you reflect on the way you deal with discomforts and negativity, learning how to push past these two things is critical. It merges the two things that helped me believe in myself, self-help and fitness.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

Motivating others to strengthen their minds and spreading the idea that a sexy body is a fudging healthy one. Many people forget that and go on about how they don’t like this, or they have too much hips, or not enough legs. People are forgetful that health is a privilege and we must honor ourselves if we want to live a magnificent life.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Following societal diets. We are all different and should eat according to what makes us feel most alive. Food is fuel for us. So knowing what to eat is as easy as saying, “what gives me the most energy” - and I’m not talking about coffee - the answer to that question will guide you to the foods that you should be eating. Listen to your body not advertisement.

Other than where you teach, where is yourfavorite place in Miami to train?

At the beach, thewater has always given me energy and vitality.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’repassionate about?

Writing. I lovewriting on all things life and positivity.

What are you excited about right now?

My Soul-Mastery class. It’s my passion project and I have no idea how I will begin to spread it to my community but that while “figuring it out” excites me.

What is a long-term goal you are working towardsor would love to achieve?

Finish writing mybook.

What is the one thing you do every day to stayfit?

Stretch in the mornings and drink lots of water.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I go for a run or dance while listening to a motivational video. Usually Oprah, Jim Carrey, or Denzel Washington.

What do you love about the South Floridafitness/health & wellness community?

How much it is growing and how the fitness and wellness community has opened up the door to self-help and spirituality - mainly through Yoga.

Josh Evans knew he was making the right career decision as a collegiate strength and conditioning. Later, Evans got his start in Miami as a trainer at Equinox South Beach in 2015. We caught up with Evans for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram - @themvmtcoach.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from andhow did you find your way to the 305?

I’m originally fromSyracuse, NY but have lived in South Beach for the last five years.

How did you get your start in fitness and as aninstructor?

I worked incollegiate strength and conditioning while going through undergrad and gradschool, but my first real start as a true professional was as a trainer atEquinox South Beach in 2015.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

I really enjoy connecting every day with my clients, learning from them and their past experiences, etc. I like helping them understand their own health and wellness.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

Lots of coffee! Haha -in all seriousness though, I really do get a rush from being around others whoare all striving for positive goals and that’s what the gym setting constantlyprovides.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

That women can’t liftweights or they will get huge. It is just not a reality for the majority ofwomen. Strength training will actually get you the body you want and help youkeep that lean look in the long run.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

I mainly focus onone-on-one training as well as small and large group classes. My focus the pastfew years has been on unconventional training methods specifically, steel mace,kettlebell, and bodyweight movement. Unconventional training keeps workouts funand exciting. There’s always a position or move that you’ll find challenging.That keeps people motivate to work hard because there’s always something toimprove on!

Other than where you teach, where is yourfavorite place in Miami to train?

I really enjoy goingto Anatomy on South Beach (best amenities in Miami), and Muscle Beach is alwaysa hot spot for other local fitness professionals and myself to come together.

What are you excited about right now?

Just launched myweekly workout subscription on my website themvmtcoach.com. You get threefull-body high-intensity workouts every week for under $15 a month. Allworkouts come with 10-15 HD videos to follow along with as you workout.

What is a long-term goal you are working towardsor would love to achieve?

I really want to makean impact in the fitness community here in Miami. I want to create a spacewhere people can come together, create and build their own future in fitness.My really good friend Anthony Mendez (@mendezfitness) and I are planning somebig things for 2020 … stay tuned!

What do you love about the South Florida fitness/health& wellness community? 

I love how open everyone is to try out new workouts. South Florida has become a place where you see a lot of different training styles and everyone is succeeding. It’s amazing to see. Just a great place to live a healthy lifestyle.

So,you’ve decided to open your own fitness studio or gym or launch that personaltraining business. Maybe you are an established entrepreneur or fitnessprofessional and just need some advice. Before you take that next step, sendthat proposal, or onboard that next client, it’s critical to speak to someone whounderstands the legal ramifications and has been there before.

EnterDischino and Schamy – business and intellectual property law. In other words,if you are creating content, training someone, and/or opening a business, theseare the experts you need to be speaking with to protect you and your business.

We satdown with Brenda Schamy – one half of Dischino and Schamy, to pick her brainand get some advice on potential legal pitfalls you could face.

Tell us a little bit aboutyour firm – Dischino and Schamy

Dischino and Schamy was founded in2016 when Chris and I merged firms. I brought my litigation background andexperience, while Chris brought his expertise in transactional. We now serviceclients in many different industries like retail, fitness, entertainment,hospitality, nonprofits and much more.

Tell us more about yourlegal specialties.

Both Chris and I haveentrepreneurial backgrounds, owning businesses of our own in many of the industrieswhich we specialize - a boutique boxing gym, a yacht company, awell-established nonprofit, and more.

Having both a personal andprofessional connection to the industries of our core clientele is what webelieve truly sets the firm apart from others in this space.

It sounds like you have alot of experience in the South Florida Health & Wellness industry.

Yes - being an avid fitnessenthusiast myself, and having previously owned a gym, I’m particularlyacquainted with the Health & Wellness industry. We service a variety ofclientele - fitness studios, fitness influencers, beauty bloggers, skincare andwellness studios and more.

What is a mistake youadvise your clients from making?

Intellectual property is now oneof the most crucial components of a business - not owning your brand is takinga big risk anytime you invest in marketing or PR.

It's important to play bothoffense and defense when it comes to intellectual property by protecting what’syours and being well informed to not infringe on someone else's intellectualproperty. It can save you and even make you a lot of money.

Partnership agreements are alsocrucial, most people don't understand the importance of partnership agreementswhen they are starting their companies. A lot of people begin companies withtheir friends or people they know, and they think putting things down on paperis unnecessary, you'd be surprised how often that winds up being the biggestdownfall of a company.  

Is this mistake the samefor those in the health and wellness industry?

The general concepts are the same for any industry when speaking broadly but the fitness world has some additional concerns regarding disclaimers, advertisement, liability, etc. that those in the health and wellness industry should be especially informed about.

I'd also emphasize once again howoften business owners and individual influencers fail to protect their intellectualproperty. Be it your name, your logo or slogan, or the branding of a newskincare product – your intellectual property is one of the most crucialcomponents of your business. Not owning the components of your brand is likethrowing away money every time you do any sort of marketing or PR.

What about for personaltrainers who own their own business? Any advice for them?  

My best piece of advice topersonal trainers who own their own business is to always consider yourself abusiness and structure yourself as such, even if you are operating as anindividual.

It’s important to understand not only the benefits that come with operating as a freelance trainer but also the risks – taking the same precautions in regard to liability protection and insurance is essential. You want to make sure you are protected in all areas of your business, especially intellectual property matters which may include your branding, disclosures, consent, and content usage.

Take the time to understand thatyou are in fact a business as much as you are a “brand,” and that legal mattersapply equally to you as a personal trainer.

Three years ago, Sean Garner and his wife left Tulsa, Oklahoma in their rear-view and head for the Magic City. Now, Garner serves as the General Manager at one of the most recognizable fitness gyms in town - Anatomy. We caught up with Garner for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram - @seangarner.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from andhow did you find your way to the 305?

I am originally fromTulsa, Oklahoma, but have been in Miami for three years. My wife Courtney and Imoved our two daughters across the country for an opportunity to work at thebest gym in Miami - Anatomy.

How did you get your start in fitness and as aninstructor?

I worked as a firefighter for five years and that’s what got me started in my fitness journey. I ended up living it so much I opened my own gym. It did very well and I ended up leaving the fire department to be a full-time gym owner.

Where can everyone find you now?

I now work as theGeneral Manager for Anatomy’s newest location in Midtown.

Tell us a little bit more about your role.

As the General Manager, my role is to create an incredible team experience for our members and develop our staff to be the best in the industry.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Being in the fitnessindustry is not a sustainable career.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’repassionate about?

I love serving at VOUS church.

What are you excited about right now?

My fitness businesscoaching company I just launched, EntreFit.

What is a long-term goal you are working towardsor would love to achieve?

Creating a completefitness business solution for fitness professionals that want to grow and scaletheir brand. Either helping them to create a successful online trainingplatform or showing them everything they need to do to start their gym so thatit has a strong foundation that will last.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

Breathing, prayer andmeditation first thing in the morning.

What do you love about the South Floridafitness/health & wellness community?

It’s small yetimpactful. So many people in the industry look at this area for what is new andexciting. We have the opportunity to set standards and trends for the rest ofthe country.

Paula Villarraga knew a career in fitness was for her long before she was old enough to teach. As soon as she was old enough to teach, she was off and running - teaching boxing, dance, Pilates, and cardio/strength classes. We caught up with Villarraga for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @paulavjater.

Tell us about yourself - where are you from andhow did you find your way to the 305?

I’m from Bogota,Colombia and moved to Miami when I was about 13 years old.

How did you get your start in fitness and as aninstructor?

I was a kid with lots of energy. It was hard to concentrate in school, even falling asleep was hard. My parents put me in an all-girls gym at 12 years old and my life changed completely. I was active, sleeping better, feeling focused, strong and confident. I knew I wanted to teach people the importance of being active and finding balance in the everyday routine. I wanted everyone to feel the same way that I was feeling so I started teaching classes at 18 years old and the rest is history.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

Knowing that I’mdoing something that makes people happy, confident and healthy.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

I don’t skip meals - breakfast is my favorite part of the day. I drink lots of water - my huge water bottle is always with me. I also believe the way we think has a huge impact on how we feel every day and for that reason, I make sure to keep a calm, positive mindset, which helps me stay focused, relaxed, and ready for whatever the day brings.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Eating less is thepath to losing weight and being healthy - definitely a myth.

Tell us a little bit more about yourspecialty.

I teach boxing,dance, Pilates, cardio/strength classes, and love teaching every single one ofthese formats. I like to project good energy and the love for what I do ineverything I do and that’s something people really like. Music is a big deal inall the classes I teach. Boxing, Pilates, and strength I make sure my class hasa killer playlist and it always becomes one of the main things that motivatespeople to keep working hard while having fun.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’repassionate about?

I’m also an architect. I love seeing how the way space is designed can have a huge impact on how we see things and how we feel. I love design and innovation.

What are you excited about right now?

How the concept ofwellness is growing worldwide. We are now more aware of our surroundings, whatis happening around the world, and the physical and emotional impact of everysingle thing we do.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

Every day when I wake up I think of at least three things that I am grateful for. I always tell everyone to focus on the positive instead of just the negative.

What do you love about the South Floridafitness/health & wellness community? 

I love how we encourage people to stay active through various wellness events. There’s an event every weekend, everywhere you go - and of course, the good South Florida weather definitely helps.