NAME:  Laura Sevilla and Bill Kunin (dating)

AGE:  Laura (34), Bill (36)

PROFESSION:  Visual Effects Compositors

BACKGROUND:  As we grew older and got more involved with our careers, we slowly began to neglect our health.  When Bill’s father passed away due to a heart attack, it forced us to rethink the way we had been living our lives.  We realized that we needed to make our health a top priority…now!

We had seen a flyer for Sonki Fitness and thought that we should join. There was just one problem…the class was at 6:30 am!  At first, Bill thought it was a little crazy since he had always been more of a night person.  Laura (being a morning person) knew though that she could drag him out of bed with a little coaxing!  We work in an industry that demands long hours.  Ten hour days are the norm, and we often pull a 70-hour week or more.  Before joining Sonki Fitness, we were working crazy hours with virtually no exercise.  Since joining Sonki Fitness over a year ago, we have incorporated fitness into our lives and have been working out consistently (we’ve done every session except one since joining!).  After missing that one session, we decided to sign up for the full year of Sonki Fitness in advance so as to not miss any more.

What is your current exercise routine?  Sonki Fitness on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Pilates on Tuesday and Saturday.  Yoga a few times a week.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  We feel better, look better, and are less stressed out.  Going back to our old unhealthy ways is NOT an option.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Getting out of bed is the biggest challenge since we do the 6:30am class.  But once we get out the door, we know that Katie (Sonki Fitness trainer) will keep us awake and motivated.  Another challenge is eating healthily since we eat out often and have a sweet tooth.

What is your key to success?  Our key to success is that we have have each other to encourage and motivate one another, especially on the tough days.  Whether it’s leg throw downs or partner resistance exercise, we always help each other to push harder.

How long have you been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp?  A little over a year.  We’ve also done Sonki’s XT (Xtreme Training) and plan to do more of those in the future.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  Sonki Fitness has positively affected our health tremendously.  When we went to our first class, we could barely make it through. (Bill almost threw up!) The group camaraderie really makes a huge difference.  When we miss a class, we really feel like we’ve let the class, Katie, and ourselves down.  That just would not happen if we were to work out on our own.  The proximity of Sonki Fitness being in Playa Vista is also a big help for us as we can walk to class.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?
Laura:  I would tell people not to compare themselves to other people.  Just focus on where you are now and not where everyone else is.  For example, running has always been difficult for me, but I keep with it and try to do my best.

Bill:  If you can make it to class, you are already a step ahead of the game.  If you miss a class, be sure you get back to Sonki ASAP because it is easy to skip another one (slippery slope).  But if you can stay in the routine, it makes it a lot easier.

Any other comments?  We love Katie and Sonki!  Please don’t leave Playa Vista!