Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Santos.
Regina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Physicality, mental performance, and personal growth were always topics I was curious about. I was an only child who loved life, music, and dance, but I spent a number of hours every day alone, longing for a sense of joy. I was raised by a single, working mom who exercised almost every day of her vibrant and busy life. I’m pretty sure the Running In Heels® concept started because of all of this. My young, ferocious mom was pretty, put together, ambitious and in great shape. It felt like we were always on the go, whether it was for her to go to work, or for us to visit big cities and vacation seaside, we were always in motion.
I wondered how my mom did it all as she seemed tougher than I, but I did eventually discover my own strengths along the way. Even though I considered myself shy and introverted, I somehow always enjoyed performing and speaking in public when I felt I had something important and relevant to say. I first made a career as a publicist (I am a great cheerleader!), and then in 2005, I decided to become a Pilates Instructor and later, a Performance and Behavioral Change Coach.
I was inspired to be like the professionals (teachers, mentors, coaches, and counselors) who were crucial to my understanding of my own struggles and lessons to be a better version of myself. I wanted to professionally cheer on the people who had goals to feel better and live better.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Haha no, I can’t say it was. When I was a kid, I didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted beyond the idea of just being happy. I know it sounds so basic, but happiness felt like such a distant concept. I later learned I was depressed and suffering from long-term stress.
I am optimistic by nature, so I felt like I was growing up sideways, like this tree I saw in Coronado. I wanted to grow and flourish, but emotionally I kept getting stuck. Even in my late 20s, when I reached the level of material and societal success I pursued, I still wasn’t happy. It took me a while to realize that I lived my life for many years for other people.
Our wounds can definitely heal over time, but some early developmental traumas can reveal themselves later as well. It’s always better when we actively practice building resiliency. I finally can say that I have earned some wisdom and can also define what joy means for me at this stage in life!
Matter by Regina – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I offer a proactive approach to physical and mental well-being. My philosophy for centering oneself matches the values of centering found in the classical Pilates system. Embodiment and fitness is something that I help people focus on. When people want to change, get strong, and build resiliency, it’s not just about doing that with their bodies, it tends to also be about all of the other stuff that matters too, like how they are living and who they are being.
I work with people who want to put the work in and are committed to move forward in their lives. Many of them tend to be high frequency/vibe, conscientious, compassionate, success-oriented thinkers and doers. I help them feel and think better in their bodies so that they can live and “do” their lives better.
I set up in person and online coaching groups throughout the year, so if your readers want to know about those, I encourage them to get in touch with me! A few years ago, I published a little healthy recipe book under Running in Heels®, and you should know that I hope to be creating more fun projects that fortify feminine strength and well-being down the road.
Wow, well I’m most proud of the fact I that get to collaborate with my clients to deeply connect to, and to use their core to take control of how they are living their lives.
What I offer people are supportive ways to up-level their mental, kinesthetic and physiological systems, and help them discover their untapped/dormant strength and fortitude. Pilates is an astounding and empowering movement system. It balances you out with strength and mobility using the deep connection to one’s core or Center, from one’s gut, if you will.
Performance and Behavioral Change Coaching is a powerful way to keep connected to your deepest core values (and gut instincts), so you can process thoughts to take action. They are like peanut butter and jelly, or an ideal marriage for me – a harmonious and complementary combination of forces!
I’m not reinventing the wheel, everything’s connected. I organized some science and mindfulness-based systems in a way that makes sense to me and package it so that it’s fun, simple, but challenging, and easy to understand. I continue to dive deep into my own education so I can stay informed and responsible.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Oh, there are so many honestly! I guess cliché’s come from real life… so if you’re in the helping business like I am, almost every day you witness magical transformations in clients.
It could be something as simple as someone making a tangible decision on a plan, or it could be as transformative as living without back pain! I love it when athletes find wisdom in their bodies. I get so much joy in witnessing leaders intently plan for optimal performance. It gives me goosebumps when I live moments alongside people as they realize incredible strength and capacity that they hadn’t yet imagined!! And of course, I am so incredibly grateful to be working with extraordinary people across the board – I learn so much from them and our work together.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.matterbyregina.com
- Phone: (323)207-0197
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Frances Iacuzzi, Cathy Merenda
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