Today we’d like to introduce you to Boris Schaak.
Boris Schaak is the Founder of Sober Fitness. This LA based philosophy offers the very best fitness coaching and training available tailored to the specific and holistic needs of recovering addicts. Boris has become a healthy catalyst for recovering addicts to find a healthy form of fitness in sobriety. Through his training program he guides clients to understand and unlock their greatest potential in the safest and healthiest manner possible. He has integrated his 30 years of life experience in the industry and his 10 years of continuous sobriety to bring about this exciting new fitness modality into the industry marketplace.
His training began in the arts of yoga, meditation and spirituality as a child in West Berlin, Germany. Martial Arts first caught his attention at age 5. But, he needed to get bigger to win against his competition!! So, Boris joined a gym and began lifting weights at age 13 so he could get bigger and WIN HE DID. And just like that “BAM!” – the seeds were planted for Boris’ lifelong passion for fitness, sports and weight lifting that have since surrounded him with a spiritual satisfaction and confidence unlike any other he has found.
A short year later, Boris embarked on a solo voyage to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student. While here in the U.S. he furthered the studies of the Martial Arts and his devotion to the gym exploded. By the age of 20, Boris had already been introduced to some industry legends and immigrated to the U.S. permanently to pursue a newfound dream… BODYBUILDING.
Fast forward through a few short years of very intense training and BAM! — Boris won the Mr. Los Angeles bodybuilding competition in two class divisions on his first try. Suddenly everyone wanted to be training with this “new kid on the block” professionally at Gold’s Gym in Venice. Boris excelled in the electric atmosphere of Gold’s Gym Venice – Ground Zero for the bodybuilding era of the early 90’s. Between his own personal bodybuilding competition experience of training around injuries and witnessing how the masters in the field handled them, Boris honed his intuition towards injury prevention with his clients. Much of the core philosophies of Sober Fitness was accumulated during this time in the presence of so many industry leaders in the fields of Meditation, Bodybuilding, Nutrition, Entertainment, and the Medical Profession skills.
Through it all Boris fostered an appreciation of the importance of proper nutrition and supplementation. Word spread about Boris’ acumen and this drew the attention of the owners of one of the largest holistic pharmacies and nutrition retailers on the West Coast, who offered him a position at their West Hollywood location. He began providing valuable supplemental advice to the pharmacy clientele. One of his clients was the patient of a locally renowned physician that specialized in treating HIV/AIDS. The doctor learned of Boris’ supplemental guidance and witnessed this client’s vast improvement. He started utilizing Boris’ vast knowledge of supplements for his other clients. Boris’ expert advice was employed to save the lives of many men suffering with HIV/AIDS at a time when it was most needed.
To help make ends meet, Boris took on extra evening work as a private bodyguard in upscale dance clubs on the strip. And as is the story for so many of LA society’s brightest, Boris’ party was over before it started. The party scene rapidly devolved into downward spiral of alcohol and drug addiction that spanned nearly a decade – landing Boris homeless and destitute.
With the compassion and assistance of former clients and patients who had been saved by Boris’ help, he found his way to a twelve step program on March 7, 2007. That program eventually led him back on to a path of health, fitness and wellness. This formed the firm philosophical foundation for Sober Fitness. Boris now has integrated this personal experience in recovery with his vast knowledge of training methods, injury prevention, nutrition, supplementation and spirituality. This is the basis of Sober Fitness Coaching!
Now with Boris by their side as a Personal Trainer, Sober Coach and Sober Companion many clients have found a safe path towards a balanced and successful recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism
More than simply regaining their abilities and expanding their career potentials with Boris’ guidance– recovering addicts who have done the Sober Fitness program have also uncovered hidden attributes that their addictions masked, and they have morphed themselves into newly vibrant and vital souls that gratefully celebrate this freedom in all aspects of their lives. And they harness this freedom to help others!
We invite you to let his experience work for you.
“As a Professional Trainer and Sober Coach, my fitness approach integrates the elements of physical fitness and nutrition within the scope of recovery and sobriety. This is TOTAL integration- the convergence of mental, spiritual and physical fitness! Seeing the transformation and growth in my clients; physically, emotionally and spiritually, is my passion and mission in life!!! I’m glad to share it with You.”
-Boris Schaak
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?
I was 2 years homeless due to my addiction.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I teach a 2-day online class for The Addictions Academy. It is called: The Recovery Coach Fitness Class. My goal is to connect the dots between fitness and recovery from addiction.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soberfitness.com
- Phone: 323-873-4027
- Email: boris@soberfitness.com
- Instagram: @soberfitness
- Facebook: sober fitness
- Twitter: soberfitness
Image Credit:
Pic 1. Cali Estes and Boris Schaak After A Workout At Golds Gym Venice
Pic 2. Boris Schaak Working Out
Pic3. Advertising For My Online Class (Will Provide One With Current Date If Needed)
Pic4.Sober Fitness Info /Flier
Pic5,Instegram Sober Fitness Pic
Pic6.Boris Schaak Pio Pic
Pic7.Happy Sober Fitness Client After Workout
Pic8.Mission Statement/Sober Fitness
Pic9. Boris Schaak
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.
Amanda
July 19, 2017 at 19:19
Boris helped save my life!
I met Boris when I was 7 months pregnant, with a broken spine. Labor & delivery added more complications to the mix, and no one else would work with me…surgeons told me I wasn’t strong enough to plan a surgery to repair my spine! Boris worked within the guidelines set by Physical Therapy and helped me break through one plateau after another. Six months into training, my dependence on pain relievers and muscle relaxers were the next hurdle to jump, and Boris helped my get my bearings and remarkable support through LA’s sober community.