Dynamic Momentum
For Dr. Emmanuel Pinillos, movement has always been a core part of his lifestyle, regularly participating in everything from marathons and triathlons to running, cross country, soccer, swimming, football, basketball, baseball, boxing and lifting, among many other sports and activities. Last year, he summited four 14,000 ft. peaks in a single push in Colorado, hiked an active volcano in Guatemala, and completed a Half Ironman — despite experiencing a cardiac event during the final miles. He also logged over 1,700 miles on foot, set a personal mile record of 4:49 immediately after a one-mile swim (while completely fasted), and ranked in the top 1% of active users on Strava, a global fitness platform with over 135 million users. As the founder of Miami Run Club, he’s proud of the free run community he launched for all levels of runners. “Fitness has become the foundation for how I approach all aspects of life,” he says. “It goes beyond the physical benefits of strength, endurance and explosiveness — it also builds mental resilience.”
Athletic Ascent
A Contortion & Strength Coach at Bendy Life, Sofia Venanzetti arrived in Miami from Italy in 2006 to study English for a month and hasn’t looked back since. A contortionist starting at 27 years old, with no gymnastics background or natural back flexibility, when it comes to fitness, she focuses on long-term quality of life. Her typical workout schedule includes 4-5 training days including weight training, flexibility, injury prevention, conditioning, stability, strength, contortion drills, dancing and hand balancing. Her goals looking forth include getting stronger and exploring how far she can take her flexibility. “I’m all for pushing past fear and perceived limitations — always asking the body permission, not training for the ego but for the soul,” she says. “I keep on deepening my spirituality through movement — it has become a form of meditation for me.”
Elevated Discipline
Not originally from South Florida, the only exposure Les “L.A.” Bradley II had to jai alai was seeing it in Dos Equis commercials. A number of years after graduating from the University of Miami, he answered a call for former student athletes interested in reviving the sport. “It was a big risk, but it seemed like something I wanted to be a part of,” he says. Today, he plays for the World Jai Alai League, competing in two Battle Court seasons that can last up to 16 weeks. He’s part of a team of 6 players that compete against other teams in a “head-to-head” rally format. Over the course of the season, teams accumulate points and the top 4 teams advance to the playoffs where the 2 winners compete for the championship. “I truly enjoy challenging myself and competing at the highest levels possible,” he says.
Power Surge
Owning and operating a boutique fitness studio in Washington, D.C., the pandemic pushed Kim Turner to pivot. “I came to Miami for two things: sunshine and a fitness community that lives it, breathes it, and — let’s be honest — dresses for it,” she says. “Miami became my sanctuary and my next chapter.” After 3 years of “sun, sweat and style-driven strength,” her Fitness Snob brand has found a home in The Magic City. “I was pretty ‘girly’ growing up and genuinely thought I was too delicate for sports,” she says. “Now I know better: strong is the new delicate!” She says that being a “Fitness Snob” isn’t just about style — it’s about having standards and moving every single day. “I’m not chasing medals — I’m chasing maintenance, mobility and muscle,” she says. “If I’m going to sweat, I’m going to look good doing it!”
Winning Mindset
A successful entrepreneur, transformational coach, philanthropist, bestselling author and the owner of world-famous South Beach Boxing, Jolie Glassman is at the top of her game. “Movement is medicine, and motion is lotion,” she says. “The key is to move always in all ways. Never stop. Sitting is the new smoking. Prove to yourself what you’re made of and never give up!” Among her many accolades, she won the PFP “Trainer of the Year” nationally in 2020, and received the “Badass Woman of the Year in Sports” award for Miami Beach. On the back cover of one of her books, boxing legend Mike Tyson wrote that “there is no one better to have in your corner” than Jolie Glassman. “Be the champion of your own life,” she says. “It’s your story so be the victor and be your future self now!”
