Today we’d like to introduce you to Graciela Perez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Graciela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born in Argentina always passionate to travel and interact with different cultures worldwide.
Coming from a family in healthcare and artists. I had a passion for sports, fitness and plastic arts. Always taking dance classes, practicing sports and fitness.
However, family mandates where a strong influence at that stage of life and attended Law school and graduated at an early age and sought in international business a way of canalizing her cosmopolitan spirit.
After practicing law for some years, I had the possibility of visiting Europe, South Africa and the USA which opened new doors to relate to new cultures and discovered her possibilities, life missions and innate creativeness.
Upon moving to Los Angeles, I found the multicultural population and the need to incorporate health and fitness in people’s busy and hectic lifestyle to help them not only with the body but also with their overall lifestyle and wellbeing.
I started in 2003 as a fitness trainer and group fitness instructor at a Hollywood gym, teaching a variety of classes from Yoga, Pilates, Aqua fitness, Cardio dance, and Barre works.
Among the institutions where I taught classes and conducted training sessions are: The Palazzo, Americana at Brand Hollywood Production centers, LA Fitness, Beverly Hills country club, Toluca lake country club and US army corps of engineers, CASULA, Be Well program.
Being a breast cancer survivor since 2008, she helps with rehabilitation after surgery and healthy lymphatic flow through exercises in land and water.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I had to many obstacles especially with the lack of support for fitness by corporations and people in charge of adding a fitness program to their facilities because they think of fitness as a luxury and extra service so is the first thing to cut when budgeting.
Also, it’s still not considered part of healthcare like nutrition and physical therapy but is equally important and health insurances should cover or add classes on site .Some are doing it.
I had a major fall when I got sick and lost all the classes. It took me a couple of years to be in the same position but I came stronger, renovated and more convinced of the need to improve people lifestyles.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hollywood Fitness International – what should we know?
I work together with other trainers that are chosen by me and have similar values.
The main thing is keeping the person motivated and change the concept of fitness as something hard, not pleasant and that only overweight people need. Most of my clients do not have a weight problem and if they had it they overcame it and continue with my program to be stronger and healthier and have fun with the variety of challenging routines that we provide according to their preference and capabilities. , We combine different techniques and create a program for the person that they enjoy and avoid boring routines.
I specialize in Pilates, Barre works, Cardio dance, Aquatic Fitness, Boot camps and Yoga but within the discipline I design exercises for the person using different props that increase resistance or their own body. We can also conduct the session/class in gym or other place like the beach or park so every workout is like a getaway and they are looking forward to it all depends on the time and preferences. The main thing is keeping them motivated to achieve their fitness goals, improve their overall health and reduce stress…
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Of course, nobody can achieve anything alone in this world. I had great colleagues and teammates which trusted me at the first stages of my career and also great teachers and mentors that saw my talents and without them I would not have the opportunity to show my abilities to the world.
They are like angels and mentors at the same time because I learned from them and incorporate them to my teachings and is possible that they benefit from me also because life is and exchange and the more you give the more you are going to receive.
My clients also helped me to continue when times were hard and backed up my services (even when the costs went up) when one of the companies I worked for cut the services for their residents in a luxury complex.
Contact Info:
- Address: Graciela Perez CPT NASM
Certified Personal Trainer-Nutrition-Wellness consultant
Pilates-Yoga-Cardio dance-Aqua fitness-Strength Training-Boot camps - Website: http://www.hollywoodfitness.org
- Phone: 323-377-4525
- Email: wellnesslifestyle25@gmail.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hollywoodfitness.org
- Twitter: http://www.youtube.com/hollywoodfitness100
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hollywood-fitness-international-los-angeles-3
