Exploring Life & Business with Maria Cavalieri of Relentless Fitness LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Cavalieri.

Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Relentless Fitness LA eleven years ago. I’m originally from Long Island, New York and moved to LA when I was eighteen years old. I was a fearless, aspiring young actress, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with no Plan B. It was a lot tougher than I anticipated especially when California felt like a whole new world compared to New York. From the scenery, the food, and the people, especially how they tawked… I was a fish out of water. I hated it here. The change took a toll on me. I fell into a deep depression. I started feeling insecure and my self-confidence plummeted. The pressure of having a Hollywood’s “perfect body” began to plague my mind and my thick NY accent didn’t help! I had an extra twenty pounds that ruled me and my thinking. I started working out with Personal Trainers (that I couldn’t afford) just to try and to quiet the negative talk in my head. I would say to myself “See? You’re doing everything possible.” I tried every trainer, gym, class, diet, protein bar and excuse. NOTHING worked. This went on for years.

Today I refer to this toxic state-of-mind as “Mental Obesity.” I would gain ten pounds in ten minutes depending on how I was feeling that day. Finally, I met Michael, the man, the mentor, the trainer who changed my life. Michael taught me a new approach. He was able to pinpoint every little thing I was doing wrong and would tell it to me straight. No sugar coating here. He was a fellow Italian New Yorker, so we spoke the same language. He would continually stress to me that being in shape was not only a physical challenge but a mental one as well. Under Michael’s guidance, my confidence steadily increased. He gave me books to read and challenged me mentally and physically. Everything slowly started to positively change. I finally found someone who believed in me and more importantly, someone that helped me believe in myself. I never thought of being a Personal Trainer. I only scraped the barrel to pay them. But, he thought I had “that something” that could help others. Only with Michael’s knowledge, philosophy and dedication, Relentless Fitness LA was born.

Alright, 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?
Smooth sailing, easy peasy, not one bump! Haha, what fun would that be, right?! Nothing worth having is ever easy. Let’s say… there were definitely some detours. Hey, anyone can go and get their personal training certification and boom, you’re a trainer. Getting clients and keeping them, that was the challenge. I worked in restaurants and bars to supplement my income. In the beginning, it took off. I knew a lot of people from the bar scene, many who saw my body tone up and they wanted in. But, people’s schedules change or they would just fall off. I had to hustle to get more clients and keep my business going. I was run down from training all day and working all night, but I did it so I wouldn’t “freak out” if a client canceled.

I started marketing, built a website and most importantly, built a great reputation. I made sure to take good care of my clients and kept meeting wonderful new people. I managed to keep steady clients, some that have been with me the entire eleven years. But, during this incredible new career and positive change, I was mad at “the dream.” I battled about giving up being an Actress. I went back and forth so many times. In the end, I decided to be relentless and not give up. I started to merge my fitness and comedic skills to fill the creative void. I came to realize I didn’t have to choose, I can do more than one thing. Who knew?!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I think the most important thing about my business is to know that I’ve been there. I spent so many years partying, not eating right, dieting and not practicing self-care at all. I was a smoker for over 15 years. I know how it is. But I changed. I made a physical and mental change. I was open to hear what I was doing wrong. Some people think it’s their way or the highway. I tell my clients what worked for me may not work for you. Everyone is different and that’s okay. But, everyone has the ability to change if they WANT to. Having the support is everything. I would not be where I am today if I hadn’t met Michael. We ended up getting married and have been together for eleven years now. He is my home, my heart and my family.

So, that being said, my classes have a very family-style atmosphere. We are outdoors, under the beautiful California sun, getting fresh air and having a great time while we’re at it. Our Relentless Family supports each other during the workouts (talking smack too of course) and outside of the workouts as well. People bring their dogs, their kids; sometimes take a work call, honestly, whatever they need to do. Life is in session. If I had strict rules, most people wouldn’t come. Everybody has a different reason why they train but in the end, we’re all fighting for the same goal… to be happy, healthy and strong.

What were you like growing up?
I was hyper, feisty and full of energy. In school, kids would ask me, “why are you so happy in the morning?” I guess that was an early sign that I would grow up to be a morning person. I was a little soccer star, I loved that sport. I was the smallest and shortest on the team but I had all the fancy moves to get around the big girls. I was on my way to play professionally (I was that good) but I broke my leg twice playing and my soccer career eventually came to an end. My soccer days are what I remember most from my childhood. The girls on my team were my best friends on and off the field. So, training with my fitness family and being out on the field everyday always felt comfortable and natural to me.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: RelentlessFitnessLA.com
• Instagram: @RelentlessMaria
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RelentlessFitnessLA
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLMIXGnqpAOlQln1IILkdFA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/relentless-fitness-la-sherman-oaks?osq=relentless+fitness+la

Image Credits
Candyce Carpenter (personal photo)