People

Shape Shifters

Motivation comes in many forms, and getting in the best shape of your life is just an effective workout regimen away. The fitness professionals you are about to meet can help you attain the body of your dreams in no time.
Text by Sandy Lindsey Photos by Ximena Etchart | May 18, 2018 | People

Alex Cure
Cure Fitness
1800 SW 1st Ave., Ste. 105
Miami, FL 33129
786.286.2480
Cure-Fitness.com

Q: Why did you decided to make the business of fitness your career?
A: “Living an active lifestyle was part of who I’ve always been. About 13 years ago, in my first fitness job, I felt a seamless connection with my clients. Working closely with some of the top fitness leaders in the industry helped me grow and find a unique fitness regime that I turned into a lifestyle.”

Q: What sets your fitness program apart?
A: “I cater to what your goals are. I’m not here to yell at you and make you throw up the moment you come in the door (unless that’s what you want me to do). I’m here to help you — whether it’s to lose weight, to get better at a sport or to look huge. Each program is individually designed for each client’s goals.”

Q: What’s the most memorable client transformation you’ve been a part of?
A: “One of my clients was rejected from a major modeling agency because they were “not lean enough.” This client did everything I told them to do, and a month later, when they went back to the agency, they were signed immediately!”

Q: What’s the most challenging fitness goal you’ve been able to achieve?
A: “I was able to complete a marathon, which I’d never been able to do prior. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done!”

Q: What’s the best advice you can offer someone looking to get fit as quickly as possible for a special event?
A: “Set attainable goals and make small changes that you can maintain until you reach your goal and after.”

Q: Why is it so hard for folks to maintain a regular fitness program?
A: “Most people don’t really know what they are doing, and gyms can be very intimidating. That’s why facilities like Cure Fitness exist where I work one-on-one with clients to educate them on movement and teach them how to reach their goal and stay that way even if they no longer train with me.”

Keith E. Skowron
The KX Method
751 NE 70th St.
Miami, FL 33138
305.495.1878
KXMethod.com

Q: Why have you decided to make the business of fitness your career?
A: “I had no choice. Sitting in a chair 20+ years was killing me! No wonder they say that sitting is the new smoking!”

Q: What sets your fitness program apart?
A: “I don’t limit a fitness plan to what’s done in the gym and kitchen. One of our spontaneous fitness plans (with my 15-year-old daughter) was to walk to the farmers’ market, get some bamboo plants, carry them home a 1/4 mile, dig holes and plant them. It’s important to move the way our ancestors moved.”

Q: What’s the most memorable client transformation you’ve been a part of?
A: “Working as a team to help a semi-invalid women to regain mobility and self-esteem. The transformation was not just physical, it was also social and spiritual.”

Q: What’s the most challenging fitness goal you’ve been able to achieve?
A: “My goal isn’t the usual running a marathon or completing in an Iron Man, those things never really appealed to me. My goal to maintain integrity in an ever-changing and not always well-intended industry is challenging enough. Also, remaining injury-free and illness-free as I approach 60 years old this year.”

Q: What’s the best advice you can offer someone looking to get fit as quickly as possible for a special event?
A: “Affirmation and visualization. The mind is the most important piece of fitness equipment. Successful clients are constantly sending me pictures of the arms, the abs and the butts they would like. Give yourself 30 days of life changes…you will feel better; in 60 days, you’ll look better; in 90 days you’ll be transformed!”

Q: Why is it so hard for folks to maintain a regular fitness program?
A: “There’s a misconception some people have that they don’t have the time. If that’s the case, then make the time. The hours of 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. are always available and that time of day is amazing. I never miss a sunrise. Also, misinformation is a challenge. Educate yourself or seek out professional help. The ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is very empowering.”

Kenneth F. Von Roenn III
Skanda Yoga Studio
1800 SW 1st Ave., Ste. 102
Miami, FL 33129
786.567.8124
SkandaYoga.com

Q: Why have you decided to make the business of fitness your career?
A: “I entered a yoga teacher training after college to rehabilitate my injuries from rock climbing. I’d torn two rotator cuffs, hand tendons and had a foot neuroma. After a few reconstructive surgeries and a lot practice, I eventually became more flexible and stronger than ever. I realized that I had a lot to offer as a teacher as a result of the obstacles I had to overcome.”

Q: What sets your fitness program apart?
A: “Skanda Yoga has 20 unique classes that have a different focus physically and spiritually each day. We teach breath work and meditation at the beginning of each power yoga class.”

Q: What’s the most memorable client transformation you’ve been a part of?
A: “I started working with a client that had lumbar herniations and other injuries from a car accident. In the beginning, he could barely move, but over the course of two years he was able to practice without pain and was one of the best students in class.”

Q: What’s the most challenging fitness goal you’ve been able to achieve?
A: “Definitely doing 72 tik-toks (viparita chakrasana) in 9 minutes, which is jumping into a handstand, landing in a backbend, then jumping back through a handstand and over. When I moved to Miami, I couldn’t even do a single one. It took years of training to achieve it.”

Q: What’s the best advice you can offer someone looking to get fit as quickly as possible for a special event?
A: “Consume only what is essential for the body’s performance, get lots of sleep and meditate to mentally prepare.”

Q: Why is it so hard for folks to maintain a regular fitness program?
A: “Bad habits and accumulated toxins are a big challenge, but Miami fairs much better than other cities. The beautiful weather is inspiring to go outside and be active in the sun. I recently published a book I’ve been working on for 7 years. The Practice Of Skanda Yoga is available in print and ebook formats on Amazon.”

Bernadette Ceravolo
Pilates By Bernadette
260 Crandon Blvd., Ste. 36
Key Biscayne FL 33149
305.365.8171
PilatesByBernadette.com

Q: Why did you decided to make the business of fitness your career?
A: “As a longtime member of The Australian Ballet Company, the stressors on my body encouraged me to find solid solutions to increase peak performance. Once I began to incorporate the masterful movements of Joseph H. Pilates, I knew after my career in dance that my path was to teach this incredible method.”

Q: What sets your fitness program apart?
A: “Education, as we study the deep roots of movement. All my instructors are certified under the Romana’s Pilates. We stay true to the authentic teachings of Joseph H. Pilates. We take the time with all our clients to discover why and how we move. We guide them to open their minds and to change their bodies.”

Q: What’s the most memorable client transformation you’ve been a part of?
A: “There are many, but one in particular is a lady who wanted to lose weight. After dedicating 3 times a week consistently along with determination and drive, she dropped 3 dress sizes easily.”
Q: What’s the most challenging fitness goal you’ve been able to achieve?
A: “While dancing during a choreographic workshop, I fell and landed on my nose. After that, I was always a little fearful of handstands and inversions. I overcame that fear through Pilates and the safe guidance of many master teachers by learning to trust the strength of my core.”

Q: What’s the best advice you can offer someone looking to get fit as quickly as possible for a special event?
A: “There’s never a quick fix. However, if you commit to 3 private sessions a week, results can be achieved including a flatter stomach, tighter buttocks, more well-defined arms and lengthening of the spine. Your posture will change, too, so you stand taller and walk with confidence.”

Q: Why is it so hard for folks to maintain a regular fitness program?
A: “That’s simple: They create unrealistic goals. Set up a plan, work hard, take time every day, and you will see and feel a change. My advice is to do something you enjoy and find something that will stimulate your mind and your body.”