AGE:  Austin (15), Sandy (49), Sharon (51) 

PROFESSION: Austin (student), Sandy (attorney), Sharon (Esthetician / Wildlife Rescue Volunteer at CA Wildlife Center)

HOMETOWN:  Austin (LA), Sandy/Sharon (San Luis Obispo, CA)

COLLEGE:  Sandy (UCLA), Sharon (University of Pennsylvania)

FAVORITE FOOD:  Austin (pasta & sushi), Sandy (Thai), Sharon (pizza & sushi) 

FAVORITE PLACE VISITED:  Austin (Hawaii), Sandy (Cayman Islands & Thailand), Sharon (Slovenia) 

PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT:  Austin (Costa Rica), Sandy (Costa Rica, Belize, Australia, Turks & Caicos), Sharon (Tanzania – I was supposed to go in 2020 for my 50th) 

FAVORITE MOVIE:  Austin (Indiana Jones & Star Wars Trilogy), Sandy (Love Actually), Sharon (Star Wars Trilogy) 

FAVORITE SINGER:  Sharon (David Bowie) 

HOBBIES:  Austin (Flying my dad’s plane, scuba diving, and video games.), Sandy (Scuba diving, running, yoga, Sonki Fitness, the beach.), Sharon (SCUBA diving, raising monarch caterpillars, wildlife conservation, dog mom to Puglet and Fruitbat, and traveling.)

AUSTIN

BACKGROUND:  Before the pandemic, I was fairly active. I played soccer when I was younger, rode my bike and went for occasional hikes. During the pandemic, however, I couldn’t go out much and got my bike stolen, so I put on some weight. Since joining Sonki Fitness in May of this year, I have lost 11 pounds while gaining muscles.

What is your current exercise routine?  Sonki Fitness 3 times a week, plus the occasional bike ride or swim in the ocean. 

SANDY

BACKGROUND:  I have always been into exercise. I played sports growing up and have run a number of 5ks, 10ks and marathons over the years. I actually ran the LA marathon in March 2020 before the world shutdown. I finished the marathon, hopped on a redeye flight to NY for work, and then came home and had to quarantine for two weeks after being exposed to people with Covid in my NY meetings. During the Covid lockdown I tried to keep exercising, but with juggling working from home and homeschooling my daughter, I didn’t have the energy to keep exercising. After a year of being stuck at home, making ice cream and baking banana bread, and failing to stay motivated doing online workouts, I joined Sonki Fitness with my son, Austin, and sister, Sharon. We all needed to get back in shape and interact with people in person again. I used to work out with Sonki Fitness 10 years or so ago when my son was little. I loved it. Unfortunately, as a single mom with two little kids and a busy career, I couldn’t make it work with my schedule, so I had to stop. I am so happy to be back again with this amazing program and supportive and fun community.

What is your current exercise routine?  Sonki Fitness on MWF, plus short two mile runs with my dog every other morning. And yoga when I have time.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  I feel better physically and mentally when I exercise.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Time. As a single mom with a busy, challenging career, sometimes it’s hard to fit in exercise. 

What is your key to success?  Consistency and working out first thing in the morning. I’m so used to working out at least 3x a wk for years that the idea of stopping altogether is unthinkable.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  I love the program, the instructor (Sonki is not only super motivating but also very entertaining), the location, and the camaraderie of the group. Coming out of the Covid lockdown and rejoining Sonki Fitness has been a huge positive in my life. Not only am I getting back in shape, but I also get to spend more quality time with my son and sister and have met a great group of people.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Don’t give up.

SHARON

BACKGROUND:  I was always thin but wasn’t in shape. It wasn’t until my mid-forties that I really started working out and got into the best shape of my life. Unfortunately, when the pandemic hit, my industry shut down, my husband’s industry shut down, and all of my fitness studios shut down. I went from working at a job where I was running around all day, surrounded by people, to being isolated at home with nothing to do and suddenly with no income other than unemployment. I became very depressed and unmotivated to do anything because of the uncertainty of the future. Subsequently, I gained more weight than I ever had and got completely out of shape. After things finally started looking up in the world and LA began to re-open, my sister suggested we do Sonki Fitness, as she had done his boot camp before. I’m so glad I decided to join Sonki’s fitness class. It’s really changed my whole outlook on life, and I credit him and the camaraderie of group for getting me back into shape, getting me out of my depression and keeping me motivated. 

What is your current exercise routine?  Sonki Fitness three nights a week, and walking my dogs for 45 minutes every day.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  More energy and endorphins = less depression

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  This BS perimenopause stuff. It’s harder to keep the weight off now.

What is your key to success?  Working out with other people who hold me accountable. 

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  Sonki Fitness is tough but it’s also really fun. I’ve always hated running, but since I’ve taken Sonki’s class, I’ve found that I’m getting faster, have better stamina, and don’t mind the running as much as I did in the beginning. Everyone in the class is so nice and encouraging. There are people of all ages and fitness levels in the class so you don’t feel intimidated if you’re just starting out. I’m not the kind of person who can work out at home by myself, so being around all of these other people really motivates me. Plus, we’re also working out in a beautiful location, right by the beach with magical sunsets. 

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  It’s never too late to make the commitment to get in shape. It’s not only good for your physical health, but it’s amazing for your mental health as well.

Any other comments?  Surround yourself with positive people who lift you up. Life is too short to put up with toxic people.