AGE:  41

PROFESSION:  Real Estate Agent. I started working in Real Estate in New York 15 years ago and never stopped. NYC is truly a unique market, and I now trying to start working in this business here in LA. New challenge!

HOMETOWN:  Paris, France  

FAVORITE FOOD:  I love all foods, especially French of course (classic steak-frites), but also Italian, Asian, Sushi, Mexican, Indian…basically everything. I’m very easy with food…LOL.

I also enjoy going to the Santa Monica farmer’s market every Wednesday, to cook at home and make healthy meals.

FAVORITE PLACE VISITED: I have travelled a lot, and Australia is one of my favorite places. I’ve been to Sydney a couple of times, and Bondi beach is really cool. It reminds me of Santa Monica. I also loved visiting the Caribbean islands while living in NYC before moving to LA. My wife and I discovered Anguilla, which is our favorite island. We went there 5 years in a row. Amazing people, amazing beaches, great food, and great cocktails (Rum Punch)!

PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT:  I love exotic islands. So after visiting places like the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Thailand, I now would like to visit other pacific islands like Fiji or Tahiti. They look amazing.

FAVORITE MOVIE:  I like war movies, so being French, I really appreciate the USA saving France and the whole world during World War 2. So my favorite war movie is “Saving Private Ryan.” Amazing opening scene with the Normandy invasion and then great action with tense and emotional moments, and of course Tom Hanks !

FAVORITE SINGER:  Daft Punk (French electro duo band). They got me into electronic music in 1996 while I was in high school. Then I started to DJ as a hobby, thanks to their influence. I used to DJ a lot in NYC (in bars and loft parties). It was one of my passions. I loved making people enjoy themselves and dance. Then I “retired” that DJ hobby when I moved to LA. But I still love listening to Electronic dance music while running in the park or on the beach. It keeps the energy level high up!

HOBBIES:  I’ve loved sports since I was a kid. I played soccer my whole life. I also love rugby, tennis, and skiing. I am also the co-founder and president of PSG Club Los Angeles, the official fan-club of the Paris professional soccer team. We gather every week at a pub in Santa Monica to watch games, with a mixed crowd of French locals, French tourists, and US soccer fans. For big games, we can get up to 50 fans at the bar, and we have 300 registered members. If you like soccer, please join us! 🙂

BACKGROUND:  I was born in NYC from French parents who were banking expats. We then moved to Sydney and Singapore during my childhood. So I actually moved to Paris only when I was 9 years old. Then when I was finishing college in Paris, I decided that I wanted to discover my birthplace NYC. I moved to NYC in 2001, 3 days before 9/11. I was in Manhattan during the attacks, on my 2nd day of my new internship. Luckily I was working in midtown, far enough to stay safe from the World Trade Center. But it was still very scary and emotional. After that, I decided to stay and be part of the recovery of the city, sharing everyone’s courage. NYC was then stronger than ever. I lived there for 12 years, before deciding to move to LA, and enjoy the sunshine and better weather and new lifestyle. My wife Sabrina is from Southern California, so that made the decision much easier.

Now I really enjoy the Santa Monica lifestyle, living by the beach, getting healthy, and training in the park thanks to Sonki Fitness.

What is your current routine?  I do Sonki Fitness 3 times a week, which makes me feel really good. On other days, I enjoy a run on the beach or in Palisades Park. Or playing soccer or tennis when I have time.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  I want to feel good and healthy, physically and mentally. I’ve had a few serious injuries in the past, mostly from soccer, so once you hit 40 years old, it’s important to take care of your health, know your limits and body.

What is your key to success?  I try to exercise as much as possible, not skip Sonki Fitness sessions, be happy, and eat healthy. I also try to maintain positive energy and listen to my body and get plenty of rest when needed. And I also try to spend enough quality time with my family and friends.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness and how has it affected your life?  I love the great motivation, positive energy, and genuine friendships I get from my Sonki Fitness trainers and fellow Sonki Fitness Warriors. There is a great vibe overall. And training in Palisades Park with amazing beach and sunset views is a big plus!

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Don’t ever quit, stay motivated and healthy, even when things get tough! Go out and enjoy life! You will feel better overall, even when you are not in the mood. Positive attitude and motivation are the key to success!