People

After wrapping up his baseball career, Justin Azzey was off to college. It didn't take long before he dove head first into fitness while still a student, starting as a personal trainer. Azzey is now a co-owner of Elevate954 - one of the most popular gyms in Fort Lauderdale. We caught up with Azzey for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram - @justin_azzey.

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

I was born and raisedin South Florida. I grew up in Hollywood, Florida, and I love the Floridalifestyle.

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

I got started infitness after I couldn’t play baseball anymore. All the years of pitching anddamaging my arm caught up to me by the time I got to high school.

Always being a prettyactive person, I dove head first into health and fitness and absolutely fell inlove with it. By the time I got to college, I worked part-time as a personaltrainer until I finished school. After I graduated, I started getting intogroup fitness as well as personal training, and now I’m currently a co-owner ofElevate954 in Fort Lauderdale!

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

There are so many things I love it’s hard to pick one. I’d have to say the most rewarding aspect of being a fitness instructor/coach is being able to impact so many people on a daily basis. I take pride in being a positive influence on our members’ day. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping your clients achieve better health, fitness, and improve their overall quality of life.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

There are a few things that help me stay level headed and energetic. It all starts with maintaining a proper diet and getting adequate sleep. If you aren’t rested or fueled properly you can’t perform at your best.

Aside from those bigrocks, I make it a priority to practice gratitude every night before bed andreflect on the positive things that happened that day, and set my intentionsfor the coming day.

In addition to that,one of the things that keeps me motivated and energetic is teaching my clients, members, or trainers something new asfrequently as I can. Learning and teaching are two of the things that drive methe most.

How would you describe your classes?

My Classes are built on a few different principles:

1). I believe strength/resistance training should be the cornerstone of any training program. Learning how to properly lift weights and build muscle has some of the greatest impacts on metabolism and overall health.

2). Energy and enthusiasm - when you come into our gym we expect enthusiasm from everyone with a willingness to learn!

3). Be ready to be mentally and physically challenged. You’re promised to leave with a nice sweat.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

There’s so many, butone myth I’d love to bust is that a lot of people think you need to do cardioto burn fat. That’s not the case. What most people fail to recognize is thatdoing too much cardio and not enough strength training will actually slow yourmetabolism down. Instead of prioritizing building muscle (and your metabolism),you’re sending a signal to the body to become more efficient with its calories(which is not ideal for burning fat). Lift weights my friends!

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

Honestly, outside ofElevate954, my other favorite place to train is outdoors. There’s nothingbetter than soaking up that South Florida sun while working on conditioning ormobility at the beach or at one of the many local parks we have.

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

My whole liferevolves around it. It’s pretty much who I am. If I had to pick one thing, I’dsay I dedicate one hour every day (even Sundays) to moving my body in some way.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

This is something that I’ve really had to make an effort with over the past couple of years. Ever since my father got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer my whole life changed. I went from being happy and carefree to struggling with anxiety and bouts of depression.

Since he passed,there’s been a few things that I’ve practiced that has helped me get a grip onmy mental health.

1). Exercise daily.I’m not saying to go do a HIIT class every day, but going for a nice walk ortwo every day can really help.

2). Practicegratitude at the end of every night and when you get up in the morning. Findingthings you’re grateful for, and focusing on them, really helps get rid ofnegative thoughts and helps put you in the right state of mind.

3). Being involvedwith my fitness community. I love being able to interact with my clients andmembers on a daily basis! Being involved in a community can really help withmental health.

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

I love how everyoneis so uplifting. I’ve met so many fitness professionals especially over thelast few years that have been extremely supportive!

After her career as a student-athlete at the University of Miami came to an end, Wally Layland wasn't ready to stop being an athlete. Layland turned her lifelong passion and commitment to fitness into a budding career. We caught up with Layland for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram - @wally.yoga.

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

I'm from Orlando, FLand was a student athlete at University of Miami.

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

I was an athlete myentire life (springboard and platform diving), so I have been into fitnessforever. But it was yoga that helped me through a lot of hard times after Ilost my brother, so I wanted to become a yoga instructor to help others like ithelped me.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

Seeing the relief people get from taking a yoga class - I can see it on their face that there's less tension in their body and/or mind. That is the best feeling for me knowing I helped them feel that relief they otherwise may not have gotten.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHOmNmBXJF/

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

Knowing I amfollowing my passion and doing what I love gets me excited to keep me goingthroughout the day. I also drink Arbonne's fizz sticks which are a naturalsource of energy that help a lot when I teach multiple classes a day.

How would you describe your classes?

My classes arephysically challenging but also peaceful for the mind, because its a placewhere you can go to let go of everything going on in your life to just breatheand be by yourself and I always remind my students of that.

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

I was a studentathlete so I loved training in the UM Athletics facility, but now that I live alittle North, I love training at The Office 954 in Fort Lauderdale.

What are you excited about right now?

I am excited aboutall the doors that seem to be opening that are presenting new and awesomeopportunities for me. I am meeting the most amazing people, and I am stoked tobuild new relationships with people that have the same mindsets as me.

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

My long-term goal isto have my own yoga studio one day.

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

I do yoga every day, and I also do some different kind of training methods (HIIT, strength, boxing, etc) at the Office 954.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I practice mental health every day by taking at least five minutes a day to myself to meditate.

Thanks to some of the dumbest people on earth, measles – a disease America declared eradicated in the year 2000 – is back! There is literally no reason one of the richest countries on the planet should be dealing with measles in 2019, but thanks to anti-vaxxer parents who incorrectly believe vaccines cause autism or other disorders, here we are. At the end of April, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that more than 700 people have caught the virus this year, the highest number of cases in 25 years.

Now, a new studyreleased yesterday from researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the Universityof Texas warns that Miami-Dade County is at high risk for an outbreak. Analystsranked every county in the U.S. by its relative measles-outbreakrisk — and, according to the data, Dade has the third-highest risk in thecountry. Only Cook County, Illinois (Chicago), and Los Angeles County,California, showed more warning signs. Queens County, New York, and KingCounty, Washington (Seattle), rounded out the top five.

The results were published yesterday in the peer-reviewed journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. The study also included an interactive map, which warns that Broward County has the seventh-highest measles risk in the country. Florida's Orange and Hillsborough Counties also made the top 20.

"There has been a resurgence of measles cases, among other vaccine-preventable diseases, in the U.S. and other countries in recent years," coauthor Lauren Gardner, an associate professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Civil Engineering, said in a media release. "Measles, in particular, poses a serious public health threat due to the highly contagious nature of the disease. It is therefore critical that we proactively identify areas most likely to experience outbreaks to strategically target for surveillance and control."

The researchers saythe latest spike in measles cases is due to two compounding problems. Travelersare coming to the U.S. from measles-stricken countries. And, while that neverused to be much of an issue, misinformed anti-vaxxers in the U.S. have createdpockets where measles can spread again.

To compile the map,analysts counted nonmedical vaccine exemption rates per county and comparedthose to each county's rate of travel, population size, and proximity to otherglobal measles outbreaks. The study's authors noted that outbreaks have alreadyoccurred in Washington state and New York City. They added that viruses onlyneed a small, self-contained pocket of people to thrive, and cited Brooklyn'stiny, mostly unvaccinated Orthodox Jewish population as an example.

In addition to the virus' trademark rash, measles also causes ahigh fever and can lead to pneumonia. It's particularly dangerous for infantsand young children. The best defense? Vaccinate your kids.

"Anti-vaxxers are denying the best and very successful medical science we have and choosing instead to rely on fraudulent claims, such as a purported link to autism, that have been uniformly debunked by evidence and analysis over the last two decades," wrote coauthor Sahotra Sarkar, professor of philosophy and integrative biology at the University of Texas at Austin.

*This article was originally published on The Miami New Times by Jerry Iannelli, and can be found here.

After bouncing around between New York, Haiti, and Miami, Ron Gilbert finally settled in the 305 with his family. Gilbert can be spotted leading packs of the #NoDaysOff crew at Legacy Fit Coral Gables. We caught up with Gilbert for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram – @ronnodaysoff.

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

I am from a few places. I was born in Queens, New York, raised in Haiti from ages two to ten, moved to Miami in 1991, moved to New York after college in 2006. I recently moved back home with wife (@jaifaith) and first child about five years ago and welcomed our second child this October.

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

If I recall correctly, I think it was actually by default. My wife was the first of us two to be in the industry - she taught a small group class at this place in the Bronx, which believe or not, sold shakes called “Thin is In.” Something came up and she couldn’t teach her class and I had to fill in last minute for her.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

My favorite part isthe number of souls I get to encounter on a yearly basis, seeing life change inpeople physically and mentally, and just overall human connection throughfitness.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

The typical answer would be pre-workout, colada, and energy drinks which I use in a blue moon. But the guilty honest answer is I take a 15-minute nap mid-day in my car. It’s an old school veteran tactic I learned from my Big Bro @joenodaysoff (the hardest worker I know). Please don’t be trying to look in my car mid-day.

How would you describe your classes?

Fun, high energy, LIT,Go Hard or else you will hear from me. We work hard but I like to make it fun,because at the end of the day, what most people don’t want to admit, it’sintentional action and work.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

So many. High repsand lighter weights make you cut, cardio is considered treadmill or running,cardio is anything that gets your heart rate up, lift weights with me I’ll showyou cardio. Sorry - got caught up – anyways, next question!

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

I’ll say myrelationship with Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior (Don’t go and put me in the Christianbox now).

What are you excited about right now?

My future, I feellike I haven’t scratched the surface of my ultimate life potential.

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

Oh okay, now wetrying to get deep deep - it’s to have a basketball/life academy for youngboys.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

Morning ritual ofquick prayer and gratitude for another day, read a quick word, have some sortof meditation/ visualization of my day.

The United States is theunhappiest it’s ever been.

The 2019 World Happiness Report says thatFinland remains the happiest country on Earth for the second year in the row,while the U.S. drops to No. 19, its worst ranking ever (it was No. 18 in 2018 and No. 14 in 2017).

The globalreport on 156 countries released Wednesday placed five Nordic countries in thetop 10, with the Netherlands (5), Switzerland (6), New Zealand (7), Canada (9),and Austria (10) filling out the other top spots.

At No.15.,even the Brexit-divided United Kingdom ranked higher than the U.S.

Researcherswith the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network have been creating theannual happiness report since 2012, based on global data from Gallup.Countries’ happiness scores are determined by six main variables on athree-year average:

• GDP per capita
• Healthy life expectancy at birth
• Social support from friends and family
• Freedom to make life choices
• Generosity in the form of donations to charity
• Perceptions of government corruption

Finland —home of the recent basic incomeexperiment — has shown steady upward progress over the past fewyears, the researchers found.

In the U.S., whereprosperity is on the rise, researchers pin the blame on declines in socialcapital and social support and increases in obesity and substance abuse. AuthorJean M. Twenge believes fundamental changes in how Americans spend theirleisure time are also to blame, pointing a finger at the rise of digital mediaand the decline of face-to-face interactions.

Report co-author JeffreySachs calls the United States a “mass-addiction society.” The prevalence ofaddictions — including gambling, social media use, video gaming, shopping,consuming unhealthy foods, exercising, and engaging in extreme sports or riskysexual behaviors — in American society seems to be on the rise, perhapsdramatically, he writes.

“Thefree-market theory taught in our universities holds that consumers know what’sbest for them, with businesses efficiently and appropriately catering to thosedesires,” Sachs wrote. “The prevalence of addiction suggests a very differentpicture: that individuals may be lured into self-destructive behaviors, notablyby businesses keen on boosting sales of their goods and services.”

You can read the whole report here.

This article wasoriginally published on Fortune by Grace Dobush and can be found here.

Born and raised in Brazil. Renato Silva took his passion for fitness and sports and turned it into a thriving business in Fort Lauderdale known as G21 Fitness. We caught up with Silva for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram – @renatomarkus1977.

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

I’m from Brazil ...always loved to play sports and I’m passionate about helping others improvingtheir lives.

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

I always loved fitnessand played different sports, so I decided to go to school to learn the scienceof exercise.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

Interaction withpeople and make their lives healthier.

How would you describe your classes?

I can say my classesare for all levels with focus on form and be ready to be challenged.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

People say we need toavoid carbs to stay lean - that’s such a Myth,

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

I graduate inExercise Science in 2000 and since then I’ve worked as a personal trainer andfitness instructor with more inclination to cycling classes and HIIT classes.My clients always mention that they love the motivation and variations ofexercises that I do weekly.

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

Traveling, dancing,watching movies, and I’m part of a non-profit organization in Haiti - RENANDFoundation, where we prevent kids from Human Trafficking and child slavery.

What are you excited about right now?

I’m very excitedabout completing G21Fitness after almost two years of hard work. Plus, I’m veryexcited that our Foundation has already rescued 287 kids from the streets inHaiti and provided them with Education/Medical & Dental, plus school booksand uniforms. That for me is priceless - giving back to people in need.

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

I would love to MakeG21Fitness the best health facility in town and help our community to improvetheir lives.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I meditate every dayfor 15-30 minutes.

After taking a few classes at Redbike in Brickell, Adam Ginsberg was prompted to audition as an instructor. Four years later, Ginsberg is still leading packs of cyclists at the popular Brickell spin studio. We caught up with Ginsberg for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram – @ginsspins.

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

I was born in Miami,but raised in Broward County. After completing my Master’s Degree in HealthcareAdministration at the University of Central Florida, I moved back to the 305 tobegin my career.

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

I had never taken an indoor cycling class and decided to sign up for a class at RedBike Studios since it was close to my apartment. I liked it so much that I bought a package. After a few classes, I was approached by their team to audition during instructor tryouts. They had been looking for people in their classes who could keep up with the beat and I guess I fit that criteria. At the time it was completely out of my comfort zone, but they pleaded with me. They said that the only way they wouldn’t choose me is if I fell off the bike during my audition. That was four years ago, and I’m glad they pushed me to do it.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

I love being on stageand letting loose. My full-time job, like many people, consists of sitting at adesk all day. For me, teaching class is as much of a stress reliever as it isfor my riders.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

I’d be lying if Ididn’t say coffee. On top of the coffee, I’m genuinely excited to teach classand share my awesome playlist with my riders.

How would you describe your classes?

My approach is tomake classes feel like a party rather than a workout. Yes, other instructorstake the same approach. What makes my class unique is that I try to focus lesson the fitness aspect and more on the fun aspect. What I do is try to changethe state of mind of my riders. Rather than focusing on what we’re doingphysically, I remind everyone to smile and dance on the bike. This takes thestress and pressure out of the workout and focuses more on the way in which wefeel from the workout.

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

Trance music. If I’mnot listening to my playlists for class, odds are I’m listening to some sort oftrance podcast.

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

I would love to continueinstructing at larger events outside of the studio. Building relationships inthe Miami fitness community and the social scene is a priority of mine.

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

I take the stairs atwork as much as possible. I’m a big believer in doing simple or small things tochange habits.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

Instructing class. Itallows me to share my creativity, releases positive vibes, and makes me feelaccomplished after a long day.

What's your go-to healthy and cheat meals?

Healthy: Baked Salmonand Brussels sprouts. Cheat: pizza and ice cream (yes both, one after theother).

All it took was a short stint in the South Beach sand for Chicago native Grant Weeditz to realize that South Florida was his future home. Now, you can catch Weeditz training clients at any one of three Anatomy fitness studios across Miami. We caught up with Weeditz for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram – @weediddy.

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

Born and raised in aChicago, an internship opportunity working in sports performance brought me toSouth Florida after college. Marc Megna’s vision for the future of fitness keptme here after moving on from working with athletes. ‘Anatomy’ was born and Iwas fortunate enough to be a part of it from the beginning.

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

An overseasdeployment lit the fire. Training soldiers in a combat environment and seeingthe positive impact fitness can have on the readiness and morale of a militaryunit led me to pursue a degree in exercise science once I returned home.

How would you describe your classes?

Medieval combat meetsViking ninja

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

That any one diet,exercise, or class is the best. I like what I like today, at this point in mylife, for very specific and timely reasons. You may feel very different aboutmy choices today and I may feel different about my choices tomorrow. If itfeels right, do it.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

I use unconventionaltools like the steel mace and steel club to create unique and challengingflows. Every class is a balanced blend of smooth, functional movements andathletic performance-based activities like sprints and sled pulls. Those thatattend class regularly speak about how much fun they had. That’s music to myears.

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

If not at Anatomy,I’m at a local neighborhood CrossFit. Sometimes I just need to drop barbellsand swing on the rings.

What are you excited about right now?

In the process ofbecoming a home owner! This means: football in the backyard, building a garagegym, and having a dog are all realistic options now. Pumped.

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

Eat based on myactivity. The two questions I ask myself are: “What did you just do?” and “Whatare you about to do?” Then, make a decision based around my answers.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I use the headspacemediation app every weekday morning before my first client or class. Been doingthis for 2 years accumulating over 3,000 minutes in that time. I’ve recentlybumped up my daily routine to 15 minutes per day from 10 and it’s made a hugedifference.

What's your go-to healthy and cheat meals? 

Healthy go-tos comefrom Lunchology, my meal delivery service. That way, I know it’s delicious andI don’t have to think. My most frequent cheat is a 2-3x week icecream/cookie/peanut butter mashup on days where I’ve eaten too clean.

All it took was a week in the Magic City sun to bring personal trainer Giacomo Gomiero to our shores. We caught up with Gomiero for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram – @sobe.lift.

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

Iwas born in Italy and grew up in Monterey, California. I ended up in the 305via ambitions. The small beach-town of Northern California started to feel likea small shirt that no longer fit. I came to South Beach for a fun week withfriends eight years ago. That’s when I felt in love with the 305, and knew Ihad to move here to pursue my ambitions in the fitness industry.

How did you get your start in fitness and as a trainer?

Iofficially started 15+ years ago as a martial arts coach, but soon after Ibecame a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, because I truly love tohelp people.

What is your favorite part of being a personal trainer?

Theclose connection I make with some of the most wonderful people, but most of all,the ability to help people increase their quality of life in all three levels: mind,body, and spirit.

What is one fitness mythyou would like to bust?

Hateto brake it to y’all, but you can’t fat spot train (can’t loose fat in onespecific spot).

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

Comingfrom a MMA background, I loveteaching one on one boxing for its technique and fitness benefits. I truly lovepersonal training as a whole, and I would definitely say that adding HIIT topersonal training is my preference for best results.

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

Anatomy, South Pointe Park, Muscle Beach South Beach, Bentley Bay Condominium.

Besides fitness, what’s onething you’re passionate about?

Traveling,culture, and knowledge. I pride myself to always strive for more in thoseareas.

What are you excited aboutright now?

I’mexited to see how fast SobeLIFT is growing and how our MIND BODY SPIRIT cultureis spreading.

How do you practice mentalhealth in your everyday life?

Mentalhealth is one of the essentials in everyone’s life, and is one of SobeLIFT’sspecialties. I typically start the day with a simple five-minute mediation.

What's your go-to healthyand cheat meals?

Imostly eat fish and vegetables (homemade salads especially). I actually reallylike the taste of that, but occasionally, I like to cook Italian food, sogiving the carb-load it provides, I would consider that a cheat meal.

March 8this International Women’s Day, and South Florida is full of strong and inspiringwomen in health and wellness. We reached out to some of these incredibleprofessionals for advice and motivation for our STAY FIT 305 community. Here iswhat they had to say.

What does being a woman in fitness mean to you?

Regine Santa Maria – Personal Trainer - @bodygoals_re

A positive lifestyle change and hobby that allows me to be an influencer and educator to all the young women and moms out there that feel like their hopes have diminished from reaching their fitness goals.

Mona McCormick – Personal Trainer - @monalisasayed

Beinga fit woman is exploring the depths of confidence, challenging yourself andyour body to do more everyday while redefining the limits and expectationssociety puts on women.

Victoria Posner - MasterTrainer at Powerhouse Fort Lauderdale - @victoriaposner

Itmeans being powerful, and being powerful means stepping out of your comfortzone, leveling up and being bold enough to be your absolute self. This in turnencourages women to do the same.

Grisell Rodriguez - Founder of Women RUN Wynwood - @womenrunwynwood305

Itmeans showing up, and pushing through, and realizing that the work I put intoday will forever have its fruits tomorrow. Within exercise, and fitness Iremind myself every day that I am capable of whatever I set my mind to.

Christa Gurka - Founder ofPilates in the Grove - @christagurka

Ihave the privilege of playing even a small role in helping my clients regainthe healthy life they not only desire but deserve. I also get to show my twoteenage boys that strength comes in all shapes, sizes and genders.

Lizzy Chiappy - Co-Founder of Casa Vinyasa Miami & Founder of Yogalete Training - @lizzycfitness

To me, being a woman in fitness means I have a great responsibility. A responsibility to empower women to be the best version of themselves and to work past perceived obstacles on their pathway to health no matter what outside noise seems to get in the way. It also means that I have to educate women on the importance of true health and wellness vs just trying to be as skinny or as fit as possible.

Brittany Falzarano – Owner atEightSpace - @eightspace

Ilove being a woman in fitness because it is an industry that promotes healthand wellness - both physical and mental. The goal is to make you feel good,whatever that means.

Erica Groussman - CEO & Co-Founder of TruWomen - @ERICATRUWOMEN

Fitnessis living your best life, to feed your body what is good for it. Staying activeand feeding it nutrition that makes you happy!

Luanna Singh - Instructorat Rise Nation/Personal Trainer - @bodybylulu

Being a female in a male-dominated industry only makes you stronger. There is a depiction of women in fitness, often stereotyped as spandex wearing eye candy. As the percentage of female fitness professionals increase, we continue to prove that we are leaders and innovators in the industry. Instagram is an incredible motivational platform when used correctly. 60% of my followers are female. I use my social media posts to impact people, not impress people. I am passionate about empowering other women and inspiring them to reach goals they thought were nearly impossible. Most importantly, my position as a role model to my three-year old daughter gives me the daily strength to be an influential woman in fitness.

What do you want to say to the women in the STAY FIT305 community?

Lia Ames – Owner at Lunchology - @lunchology.co

Todayis your chance to let your light shine brightly and boldly. Don’t hold backbecause you’re unsure of your what your talents are. The little voice thattells you “you’re the one” is the only one to listen to. Our community needsyour womanly strength!

Amanda Christodoulou – Pilates Body at Anatomy - @pilates_body

Womenare beautiful, warrior goddesses. Speak to yourselves as you would speak toyour best girlfriend or sister or mother or daughter. Being kind can be one ofthe most important things we can do for our bodies!

Xuan Thomas – Co-Owner at Legacy Fit Doral- @dxnodaysoff

Iwant them to all know that there is a strong community base for women to helpeach other grow and uplift each other. We know how difficult it is living ourbusiest lives, but never forget about taking care of yourself.

Casey Simmons - Instructor at Barry’sBootcamp - @caseyssimmons

Strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.

Rachel Lee Scherdin - Owner of TransitionPilates - @transitionpilates

Nowis the time to work together to make the biggest positive impact on people wepossible can as a fitness community. Let’s empower one another to be better!

Elisa Miller - MasterInstructor at JetSet Miami - @elisa_millerfit

As someone who has been in the fitness and wellness industry for a long time, I think it’s important to remind women how beautiful they are. We should spend more time embracing what makes each of us so unique, rather than worrying about the unrealistic beauty standard the media and society have set for us. Let’s empower other women, support each other, and most importantly strive to keep a healthy and active lifestyle!

Lorraine Haddad - Lifestyle Coach at Women Only Fitness Bootcamp - @lorrainehaddad

Alwaysbe true to yourself. Love, be proud, and except everything as a whole.Consistency is the key to achieving all great things. Be patient and strong.

Samantha Stonish - Instructor at Flywheel Sports - @sammi__jay

Don'targue your worth, state it and be prepared to walk away from things where youaren't valued - people, jobs, places, situations; anything.

High-energy, tons of charisma, and a hustle mentality are just a few ways to describe Johanna Thompson. This Pilates instructor can be found around the town bringing her special blend of Pilates to her workouts. We caught up with Thompson for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram – @junglejohanna.

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

I’m originally fromJersey. I started off my career as a dancer and model in NYC. I then moved toSouth Florida to pursue a degree in fashion. I ended up in Miami when I gotsigned to Wilhelmina in 2009.

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

I was a dancer andstarted practicing Pilates in 2008 as a way to slim my thighs down. I took along break and auditioned for Jetset Pilates in 2016 and the rest is history.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

Seeing people reachtheir goals and change their bodies.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

I try and stay awayfrom coffee because it makes me crash. I’ve been drinking iced oat milk matchalattes for the last six months. Game changer.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

That you shouldworkout everyday. Your recovery is the most important part of the workout. Hotyoga is a great way I recover where I can still sweat but not overstress mybody.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty aninstructor and what people love about the way you teach it.

I have a more HIIT approachto Pilates. Pilates can be used as a method of stretching, but I tend to addmore circuits and faster transitions. I do my reformer Pilates at The PilatesPlace where I am continuing my education. My mat classes are at Sol Yoga whereI teach a hot Pilates three times a week.

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

Getting this paper.

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

Honestly my workoutsare really inconsistent because of my training schedule. I have really goodgenetics so unfortunately I can sometimes get away with a little. Sometimes Irun six miles, sometimes I eat French fries. Balance. I wish my scheduleallowed me the freedom and energy to workout daily, but between training andmodeling, sometimes it doesn’t happen.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I would say mentalhealth is my priority over having abs. Positive self talk, healthy personalrelationships, and a really safe home environment keep me spiritually fit. Ialso attend AA meetings regularly as I have been sober for almost nine years inApril. Once your mind is right, the body will follow.

What's your go-to healthy and cheat meals?

I love hard boiledeggs and vegan yogurt. I can’t cook and I’m always on the go, so fruit andwater are staples. For cheat meals, I’ll eat anything as long as there’s nodairy involved.

Did you know, that Arianne Traverso of the Yoga Expo of Fort Lauderdale was the first certified AcroYoga teacher in the South East United States, back in 2006? She has been sharing her knowledge in Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga and all three levels of AcroYoga to South Florida yogis for years. We caught up with Traverso for a Quick 10 interview.

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

I am Peruvian andmoved here when I was only nine with my family. There was terrorism and a lotof violence in the country in the late 80's, so my parents wanted a betterfuture for all of us.

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

I took my first yogaclass in 2001 and I was hooked. After practicing for five years, my instructorasked me to teach a class for her since she was sick and I loved the feeling ofbeing in front of the class. I took a private training with her and have doneover 10 trainings since 2005.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Yoga is only forflexible people.

Tell us a little bit more about your specialty.

I am a Yoga andAcroYoga professional with certifications in various styles like Hatha,Vinyasa, Ashtanga and all three levels of AcroYoga. I was the first AcroYogateacher in the South East United States in 2006.

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

There are so manycool places but I love 305 Yoga, Pilathon, Polestar Pilates and Blissful YogaMiami.

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

Traveling. I havebeen to hundreds of cities in over 35 countries. I was on my first plane atthree years old, and the travel bug hasn't let go since.

What are you excited about right now? 

The Yoga Expo of FortLauderdale and my book launch, The Abundant Yogi. I love helping people intheir business and their bodies and share my entrepreneurial passions.

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

I do yoga and someat-home workouts. I also love to dance and I paddle on my surfboard.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I meditate daily fora minimum of 10 minutes. I also have a gratitude journal I write in often.

Born and raised in the Magic City, Michelle Bertran founded FierceFit shortly after graduating from the University of Miami. Now she is taking her studio to the next level with franchise opportunities. We caught up with Bertran for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram – @mjb_fiercefit.

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

I was born and raisedin the beautiful 305. I was a dancer from age 4-22, then I took on volleyballand soccer in high school. I went on to study broadcast journalism with a minorin Spanish at the University of Miami, and was on the Sunsations Dance Team.Shortly after graduating with my B.S., I founded FierceFit Bootcamp.

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

At the age of 14, I wantedto be more fit and strong for dance and for my sports. I started off with apersonal trainer at LA Fitness and never looked back. Over the years, I havehad a pretty varied fitness routine. I have switched between isolationworkouts, Crossfit, Olympic weightlifting, spinning, yoga, HIIT, you name it. However,HIIT/Bootcamp is what was just for ME and it is what I have been focused on forthe past four years.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

My favorite partabout it all is making a positive change in the world. Not to mention, helpingpeople better their health, lifestyle and self-confidence.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

Being an entrepreneurreally always has me occupied and on my toes, but coffee or (sugar-free) energydrinks will always do the trick.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

That you need to cutcarbs in order to lose weight or trim fat. The right carbs are friends, notenemies.

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

I love going for runsand crushing an outdoor workout on a beautiful day alongside the ocean inBrickell Key. The vibe there is just amazing.

Besides fitness, what’s one thing you’re passionateabout?

Real estate. Random,I know. But real estate is so interesting to me. I go on my Zillow app at leastonce daily.

What are you excited about right now?

I’m excited about thefact that FierceFit Bootcamp is now franchising. Keep an eye out for a newlocation near you.

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

I drink at least 1gallon of water every day, no matter what.

How do you practice mental health in your everyday life?

I go for long walkswith my dog and sit by the ocean.

After going through some serious personal struggles in 2014, Matt Cardone knew he needed to make some drastic changes in his life. A simple phrase at a Santa Monica AA meeting changed his life - "If you're not meditating, you're not working the 12-steps." We caught up with Cardone for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow him on Instagram – @mattcardonemeditation.

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

I am a Vedicmeditation teacher and corporate wellness coach, who has invested years andthousands of hours in the study and practice of Vedic knowledge and meditation,which I began in 2014.

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

In February of 2014,I was ranked number one in the nation for a Fortune 500 company’s salesdivision. Two weeks before our national meeting I totaled the company carcrashing into a telephone pole at 50mph. Three days later, I was arrested forDUI in a rental car the company had provided for me. I was bare-chested, in gymshorts and house slippers.

 Soon after, I received a call from the VicePresident and HR agent relinquishing me from my position within the company.That wasn’t enough for me to stop. I kept using, and in May of 2014, woke up ina treatment center after an overdose. Learning about myself was an inside joband would start with a psychic overhaul via a 12-step program.

Fast forward, I have nowaccumulated thousands of hours of meditative reprieve. I now teach regularlythroughout the United States, implementing Vedic Meditation in corporateenvironments, recovery communities, and meditation workshops.

What is your favorite part of being a meditationexpert?

Showing people a wayin which they can self sufficiently inspire themselves.

How do you stay full of energy throughout theday?

It's all about my morning program. If I can crush the morning, I can crush the day. The first thing I do when I wake up is meditate, before the rat race can start.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

Quite a few actually.The one I'd like to address now is the idea of Work Hard/Play Hard. This keepsoneself primarily in fight or flight mode for the majority of their existence.What if we were to introduce Work Hard. Play Hard. Rest Hard?

Besides health and wellness, what’s one thingyou’re passionate about?

Inspiring people tobe better today than they were yesterday.

What are you excited about right now?

I have a few reallybig projects and programs that are rolling out this year so stay tuned.

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

I would like to get onepercent of Miami's population meditating on a regular basis within 10 years.

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

Part of my morningprogram is about fasting, and they other is a sequence of asanas and physicalrepitions. Crush the morning crush the day!

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

My meditation practice has been the complete game changer in my life in literally all aspects.

For more information on Matt Cardone, visit www.themethodmeditation.com

Miami fitness instructor Adri Zabarain from Rise Nation Miami is one of our 25 Miami fitness trainers you need to follow in 2019. Her background as a professional dancer shines through in each of her high-energy classes. We caught up with Zabarain for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram – @bbydri.

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

I was born inCaracas, Venezuela. I moved to Miami at a young age and have lived here for themajority of my life.

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

My start in the fitness industry stemmed organically from my career as a dancer. I had been a performer for years and transitioned to teaching. I was hooked from my first class and my instructing has evolved.

What is your favorite part of being a fitnessinstructor?

My relationship withmy clients. It makes me indescribably happy to play a part in them reachingtheir fitness goals. I get to know that my clients walk out of my classesstronger than when they walked in.

How would you describe your classes?

My classes are tough,but they’re a celebration. Thirty minutes on a versa climber is not something Iwould ever consider easy, but it becomes a journey and an experience at my RiseNation Miami class.

What is one fitness myth you would like to bust?

That there is aspecific body type we should all strive to be. Or that we should starveourselves to get there. The beautiful thing about life is that we are allunique, therefore we should all have different fitness goals. No one can decidewho you are or what you’d like to change but you.

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

I enjoy going toPilates Proworks, Legacy Fitness, and Ahana Yoga.

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

Venezuela’sliberation from its current communist regime. I also love ping pong.

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

I have many and Ihope to achieve them all. A big one for me is helping my parents retire withinthe next 10 years.

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

Stretch. I stretchfor five minutes every morning and half an hour every night before bed. Assomeone who has been doing this for years, I can say that it makes asignificant difference in your overall health, both mentally and physically.

How do you practice mental health in youreveryday life?

I believe thathappiness comes from pursing your passions. I am passionate about encouragingothers to find strength within themselves, and I get to do that throughoutevery single class I teach. I end up walking out feeling rejuvenated mentally, soin a way, my classes act as a tool for my mental health.

Miami is loaded with some serious fitness talent. They are there for every sweat, rep, round, win, loss, complaint, victory, and defeat. With that, we are so excited to announce our “25 Miami Fitness Trainers You Need to Follow in 2019” list. Scroll down to see if your favorite trainer made the list below, and check out our lists from the past.

*25 Miami Fitness Trainers You Need to Follow in 2018*
*25 Miami Fitness Trainers You Need to Follow in 2017*
*25 Miami Fitness Trainers You Need to Follow in 2016*

Casey Simmons - @caseyssimmons

Angel Bajana - @angelbajana

Julianne Aerhee - @where.your.hope.lives

Grant Weeditz - @weediddy

Christa Gurka - @christagurka

Manning Sumner - @manningsumner

Cat Medina - @catmedinaa

Patrick Frost - @patrickfrost2

Dan Phalen - @handstanddan

Teressa Cee - @teressacee

Cody Patrick - @codypatrickfitness

Jessica Schreiner - @jess_schreiner

Rick Chavez - @bredforgreatness

Lee Jimenez - @bodybattlefitness

Adri Zabarain - @bbydri

Gabriel "Stunna" Varona - @gabrielstunna

Dani Dellarco - @danidellarco

Skyler Rodgers - @skybeat101

Evelyn Curry - @ecurry

Matt Miller - @millerfitmiami

Ron Gilbert - @ronnodaysoff

Sam Simpson - @simpson_bfit

Lulu Singh - @bodybylulu

Eric Brown - @eric_brown305

Mason Trafford - @masontrafford

Miami fitness instructor Christa DiPaolo can be found teaching fierce 1-2 combos at an Equinox near you. DiPaolo is the creator of BOX180, co-creator of THE CUT and THE CUT: Jump Rope, all found exclusively at Equinox. We caught up with DiPaolo for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram – @christadipaolo.

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

I'm a Las Vegas native - yes they do exist. I also lived in Los Angeles before moving to the305.

How did you get your startin fitness and as an instructor?

My first job as an instructor was at a gym in Las Vegaswhen I was in high school. I taught hip-hop aerobics and I was absolutely terrible.I had zero clue how to cue and kept my notes (dance moves) right in front of mein fear I'd blank and forget what I was doing. Why didn't I think to write onthe mirror back then?

What is your favorite partof being a fitness instructor?

I love the connection and trust you build with clients.It's also pretty amazing to be able to get people "out of theirheads" for that 30 minutes or hour. And for me, it's the only time I trulyfeel present.

How do you stay full ofenergy throughout the day?

Jet fuel in the morning, aka black coffee, and small mealsthroughout the day, helps me stay energized.

Tell us a little bit moreabout your specialty.

My forte is boxing and kickboxing and I teach with apositive, fun upbeat style. I definitely don't take myself too seriously soyou're always guaranteed a fun sweat sesh.

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

I love me some Barry’s Bootcamp. I also enjoy trainingprivately with boxing mitt sessions.

Besides fitness, what’s onething you’re passionate about?

Champagne and wine. I have my Level 1 WSET certificationand would love to go for Level 2. My fiancé is a wine somm (not by trade) so heinspired me to get into it.

What are you excited aboutright now?

I'm really excited about my digital at-home workouts(Boxing & Bubbles) that I launched in October of last year. It's been adream project of mine and so happy to finally see it come to fruition. I dreamtabout it for six years and filmed the content for over a year, so I feel reallyproud I was able to overcome all the obstacles to get it out there.

What is the one thing youdo every day to stay fit?

I always start my day with a healthy breakfast even whentraveling for work or on vacation. I feel this sets the tone for the day andkeeps my energized throughout.

How do you practice mentalhealth in your everyday life?

I wake up every morning and recite my positiveaffirmations. I've been doing this for years and it really helps me focus andget in the right mind set for the day. My goal this year is to practice moreself love and meditate since I battle anxiety.

Miami fitness instructor Laura-Ann Roberts can be found leading energetic dance fitness classes all over town. Roberts used to perform dance professionally around the world before becoming an insturctor. We caught up with the New York transplant for a Quick 10 interview, but you can also follow her on Instagram – @ladancefitness.

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

I am from New York. I was born in Brooklyn and raised inStaten Island, New Jersey, and Manhattan. I came to Miami a little over twoyears ago.

How did you get your startin fitness and as an instructor?

I have always been a professional dancer performing aroundthe world. During that time, I always had to complement my training withfitness. I became a certified trainer and once I moved back to NYC, I startedworking for Equinox. I starting getting into “Dance Fitness” by working forChelsea Piers Barre Program and DanceBody.

What is your favorite partof being a fitness instructor?

I get to share my passion of moving with people who wantto better their minds and bodies. Seeing how what I do can impact theireveryday lives is truly a blessing.

How do you stay full ofenergy throughout the day?

People always ask me that. Teaching boosts my energy.Music blasting in my car between sessions. Coffee. Passion.

How would you describe yourclasses?

I like to keep my clients engaged by bringing them music sothey don't stop moving. There are little to no breaks. One thing flows into thenext. I move in all ranges of motion and target the areas that clients want to.I like to put our bodies in "uncomfortable" positions in order to hitdifferent muscles.

What is one fitness mythyou would like to bust?

That you have to "get into shape" before youstart - just start!

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

Off the Beach/Boardwalk areas. I love the beauty of theocean.

Besides fitness, what’s onething you’re passionate about?

Family and building strong relationships with otherpeople. That’s how I learn, grow, and connect to other things in this world.

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

I would love to officially brand my method and introduceit to other fitness facilities around the world and online.

How do you practice mentalhealth in your everyday life?

I read poetry and inspiring thoughts. I listen to musicthat inspires me and makes me feel good, as well as release negative energy.