fbpx

South Florida fitness influencers teach you how to shape up

Danielle Petrie

Yoga director, Sol Yoga, Fort Lauderdale

How the past led her to fitness: I’ve always been passionate about movement and dance. When I stepped into my first yoga class, I knew it was meant to be. Growing up with adversity and seeing addiction, I really wanted to create a different life and approach, so I tried to find healthy coping alternatives from an early age.

What distinguishes her workout: Yoga is so much more than a workout to improve your flexibility—which, by the way, will make you stronger and keep you injury-free. The neurological benefits can be life-changing. Relieving stress and depression helps us to live a happier and more fulfilled life. We all have our wounds; yoga heals people. People crave human connection; yoga creates that connection. I see it every day. It’s magic. In addition, the infrared heat we use reduces inflammation and is excellent for the skin. It helps your body to detox on a much deeper level.

Words to live by: It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to transform your body and mind; there’s no shortcut. You might have to work harder than you ever have to see results—but it’s always worth it. It’s imperative to move your body on a daily basis. Exercise is non-negotiable; it’s the fountain of youth.

Visit solyogaflorida.com for more about Danielle and Sol’s Broward-based yoga studio.

 

Josh WhitlatchJosh Whitlatch

Owner, Just Work Athletics, Coral Springs

How the past led him to fitness: My senior year of high school, I fractured my L4 and L5 vertebrae in my lower back. Just like that, it felt like every ounce of sweat I had put into sports and exercise was pulled out from under me. For a while, I was upset and resentful of sports—and even fitness in general—like I was entitled to something. Then I took a different view. What happens in your life, at any age, doesn’t define you. The way in which you react and handle those things is what defines you. Now, I wake up each day not having to go to “work.” I’m helping people achieve their goals and maximize their potential. That will never be a job to me.

What distinguishes his training: When I created my company, I wanted to emphasize the mindset of zoning out stress, negativity and worries—just get to work. With my athletes, I stress the importance of training at “game speed.” The training and conditioning needs to be the hard part, not the game. I always start from the ground up, beginning with footwork and balance right up to core strength. Similar to my fitness routines, I like to have my athletes training multiple muscles and making the mind follow multiple commandments at once. Nothing on the playing field should ever come as a surprise or shock to an athlete. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

Words to live by: Before getting more serious about fitness, I had fallen into a routine: Wake up, go to work, eat, sleep, repeat. Sound familiar? I realized, in taking a closer look at my overall health, that I needed to make more of an investment—not only in myself, but in the ones I love. Since making this shift about five years ago, I have more energy, sleep more soundly and have a better daily outlook. More importantly, I truly believe that living a life where your health and wellness is a priority is contagious. The shift I made was initially for my benefit, but it also ended up benefiting those around me.

Visit jwathletics.online for more information on the fitness training that Josh has to offer.

Credits

Photography by James Woodley

Location: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Creative direction: Melanie Geronemus Smit

Art direction: Evelyn Suarez

Copy: Kevin Kaminski

Photography assistant: Lockinvar Denis

Special thanks to Salymarie Alvarez, marketing and promotions coordinator at the Marriott Harbor Beach

You May Also Like

Healthcare Investor Hosts Fundraising Event for Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis

The evening will feature a Frank Sinatra impersonator, networking and a chance to raffle prizes from Amaira Med Spa & Surgical.

Editor’s Letter: Staking Out the Middle Ground

The political partisanship in Florida is pretty stark these days. However, the career of John P. “Jack” Seiler is a reminder that wasn’t always the case. Seiler, who is featured on this month’s cover, served a key role as a fiscally conservative Democrat during his time in the Florida statehouse. Some people thought he was

Kevin Gale
Hit the Road? Not This Jack

Seiler has had a long and distinguished public service career serving South Florida.

Justin Weinstein Is on a Mission To Change the Attorney-Client Dynamic

A new brand movement – “The Law of We” – aims to foster proactive relationships between attorneys and their clients.

Other Posts

Editor’s Letter: Saluting a Good Friend

We will honor Kevin Kaminski’s legacy in all that we do.

Living Through Giving: Victoria Martoccia

South Florida philanthropists share insights into their charitable work and the life lessons that have influenced their endeavors.

Living Through Giving: Heidi Alzate Kaufman

Discover philanthropic pursuits of South Florida benefactors and their life lessons that shaped their charitable actions.

Living Through Giving: Eric J. Vainder

Discover the life lessons that shape the charitable endeavors of South Florida philanthropists.