AGE:  32

PROFESSION:  CPA/Partner at Huntington Tax Partners

HOMETOWN:  Revere, MA

COLLEGE:  Southern New Hampshire University, Northeastern University (MSA), and Bentley University (MST).

FAVORITE FOOD:  Anything Mexican

FAVORITE PLACE VISITED:  This is a tough one. I love different places for different reasons. I loved Maui for all the waterfall hikes (I probably wouldn’t have known about most of them if it weren’t for going on the Sonki Fitness Vacation). I loved Costa Rica because of all the wildlife – ziplining through Arenal volcano with monkeys swinging above you is an indescribable feeling. I loved Fiji because you can hop around to different islands and experience different vibes – I was able to do two islands with Sonki Fitness and squeezed in one more since we extended the trip for 3 days. I loved Italy for all the art and architecture…and the food/gelato! I loved Ireland for all the beer, hikes, and people. The Irish really know how to have fun. I could go on about each of the Caribbean Islands that I’ve been to, but then this answer would be a full page.

PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT:  Maldives and Kenya. I wouldn’t hate it if Maldives was the Sonki Fitness Vacation in 2021. 😉

FAVORITE MOVIE:  Good Will Hunting. It reminds you that the meaning of life is to give life a meaning. Education and work mean nothing without love, family, and friends. Plus, there’s just something about Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.  😉

FAVORITE SINGER:  The list is too long. The type of music I listen to depends on my day to day mood and also what I’m doing.

HOBBIES:  Traveling and hiking are my top two when I have time. I’ve been slacking on both since starting my own firm, but I decided last year that 2020 was going to be the year I start back up. First step: Sonki Fitness Vacation Oahu in May…

BACKGROUND: I don’t judge my fitness level based on the numbers on a scale which is odd of me to say because being a CPA I always say to my clients “the numbers don’t lie,” but the numbers on scale do. When I was younger I always put so much pressure on what the number on the scale was. As I got older I realized the number doesn’t really matter. I look back on pictures of when I thought I was so fit because I was at the lowest weight I had ever been, but now being heavier I realize I wasn’t really as fit as I thought back then. I didn’t have any muscle mass because I focused so much on cardio and never did any strength training. Now that I do mostly strength training, my legs and arms are mostly muscles. Nowadays, fitness is all about my mentality and how I feel. Working out makes me feel stronger and more confident in myself and that to me is priceless.

What is your current exercise routine?  On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday mornings I work out with a trainer in the next town over so I do whatever she tells me do. LOL

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  The feeling I get when I do work out versus when I don’t. I’m so much happier and less stressed out when I work out. So I guess my sanity is my motivation. LOL

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Food, drinks and sweets. It’s hard saying no to a night out, and I have a huge sweet tooth. Lack of time has also been an issue, but that comes with starting your own business.

What is your key to success?  Not putting so much pressure on myself and not going 110% in on a certain diet or routine because eventually I’ll get tired of it. I try to follow Sonki’s 90/10 rule of “being healthy 90% of the time and indulging 10% of the time.” I do a good job following that at least 7 months out of the year, but during tax season and extension season it’s impossible to follow. That’s the main reason why I love the May Sonki Fitness Vacations because I lose all the extra chub chub that I’ve put on during tax season.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  My first time ever meeting Sonki was on the Maui trip a few years ago. I honestly didn’t know what I was getting myself into because my friend and I booked it just as tax season was ending, and two weeks later we had to jump on a plane. Mind you, both of us hadn’t worked out for 3-4 months before the trip. The trip is more than just working out and hiking every day. It’s an opportunity to meet amazing people that have similar mindsets and goals that you wouldn’t have met otherwise. You build relationships with most of the people because you’re spending almost a full week together talking about your life. It allows you to have the time to reflect. When you are home you’re just too busy trying to cross off the next item on your to do list. Sonki Fitness Vacations make you look back on all your accomplishments and be proud of yourself for doing what you’ve done so far. It helps you refocus on your life goals and dreams. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I didn’t think one week away on a fitness vacation would give me everything that it did – new friendships, perspectives, and appreciation. I’ve wanted to go every year since the first year, and had I not quit my job I would’ve! Now every time I go to LA, I make it a point to go to at least one Sonki Fitness session and dinner to catch up. I also try to meet with some of the people that were on the trips, but sometimes times is limited and there’s just so many people I have to see. If you haven’t been on a Sonki Fitness Vacation yet, I highly recommend you do.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Even when you’re not up for it, push yourself to do it. You’ll never regret a workout you did. Only the ones you didn’t.

Any other comments?  I can’t wait until next Sonki Fitness Vacation!