Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Karu.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alex. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up at the Jersey Shore for 28 years, and living by the beach is something that always makes any place with a coast feel like home. From when I was young, athletics were something that always came easy and by the second grade, I took up the sport of wrestling and was fortunate enough to compete all the way up to the college level. Along with wrestling, I played football, hockey, tennis, and would consider myself a lifelong athlete.
One of the early lessons I learned with sport, was that performance can be enhanced by work ethic, and that concept just seemed so fair to me! Naturally, that allowed me to transition into the Fitness industry, and want to become a student of strength and conditioning.
When I graduated The College Of New Jersey in 2009, our family would go through our biggest challenge yet with my Mother being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Becoming the primary caretaker, I remember at the time, I was looking to travel the world and explore new places, but sometimes life has a different plan for you. After she passed away in 2014, I had to figure out my next stage of life, notably with my primary purpose of caring for her, no longer there. It shaped so much about my life, spiritually, and also question what we accept as normal. During that time period, I took up a strict Vegan diet, understanding the health aspect, environmental, and ethical benefits, and have been eating that way for the nine years since.
For the first time in life, I was able to focus on a career path. Having always had that love for fitness, and finding that as my medium to help others was the perfect transition for me to move forward with life and give back in a way that felt natural. Having worked at a successful local Jersey Shore gym as a head coach, I found it so engaging connecting others to a healthier path.
After visiting Los Angeles twice, once in 2013 and once in 2014, I had fallen in love with the lifestyle. In 2015, I packed my Jeep Wrangler with everything I owned and set on for the drive across the country with my Father. I had a close friend to temporarily stay within Venice Beach (my eventual city of residence). Still having to find a place to live, clientele, and overall path required me to live with a lot of uncertainty. I was fortunate enough to connect with and be mentored by Trainer to the Stars, Steve Jordan, and Advanced Athletics, Adam Friedman in my first two years, which helped me develop a business I could call my own!
After four years of living here in Los Angeles, I am truly grateful for all that I have been blessed with — amazing relationship, clients, weather, and a private business that is beginning to flourish. Starting this year, 2019, my newly established business The Formula Fitness (theformulafitness.com) has taken shape, and I have been able to work with clientele all over the city. Specializing in Kettlebells, Barbells, and overall fun conditioning, you can find me driving a Triumph Motorcycle, throughout the city to get from client to client (traffic hack).
Some of my favorite activities include, exercising at Gold’s Gym Venice, making musical Mixtapes (being a Professional DJ since 2007, soundcloud.com/alexkaru), playing pick up hockey in Santa Monica, surfing up and down the coast, camping, cooking Vegan food, meditating, running, yoga, and generally just making time to enjoy my beautiful life out here in Los Angeles!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I graduated The College Of New Jersey in 2009, our family would go through our biggest challenge yet with my Mother being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Becoming the primary caretaker, I remember at the time, I was looking to travel the world and explore new places, but sometimes life has a different plan for you. After she passed away in 2014, I had to figure out my next stage of life, notably with my primary purpose of caring for her, no longer there. It shaped so much about my life, spiritually, and also question what we accept as normal. During that time period, I took up a strict Vegan diet, understanding the health aspect, environmental, and ethical benefits, and have been eating that way for the nine years since.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Formula Fitness story. Tell us more about the business.
Starting this year, 2019, my newly established business The Formula Fitness (theformulafitness.com) has taken shape, and I have been able to work with clientele all over the city.
Specializing in Kettlebell training (https://www.strongfirst.com/instructors/united-states/alex-karu.0013700000MEv3TAAT/), Barbell movements, and creative conditioning, I currently work with private clients in their homes, renting space at locations convenient to clients, and taking on the position of Head Coach at F5 Strength & Muay Thai.
I am also known for the Summer Sixpack Ab Series that helps people get ready for a summer body. It annually attracts 100 people with online videos that I’ve been featured in.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am a man of faith and have found beauty even in the perceived challenging times. Having gone through life challenges, I have always found how they have ultimately served my purpose, and I look forward to plenty of more greatness to come my way with the hard work I have been doing.
Contact Info:
- Website: theformulafitness.com
- Phone: 3109994475
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexkaru/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexkarupro
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/djalexkaru
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/alexkaru
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
