Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigael Manzoni.
Abigael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was a competitive gymnast growing up and always had a drive toward fitness. I remember joining the competitive gymnastics team and being the only one on the team who would fall first in planks… the only one who couldn’t do a push-up without doing them on my knees.
From then on, I was determined to get stronger. I remember coming home from gymnastics with my conditioning sheet and doing v-ups, push-ups and planks in my bedroom every night before bed. By the time I was 14, I was regularly participating in group fitness classes and leading my friends in core circuits for fun. After taking my first Body Pump class, I knew I wanted to be on stage motivating people!
When I was 17 years old my favorite instructor pulled me on stage and from then on, my fitness career began! I got my first group fitness certification and began teaching various Les Mills programs, I attended personal training school after I graduated college and began a full-time career in group exercise and personal training!
My drive for motivating others stems from my dedication to bettering myself and wanting to help others reach their full potential.
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?
There have definitely been some bumps along the road… My heart and soul is in this industry but whoever tells you it is easy? It’s not. When you go into the fitness industry nobody tells you that you are not only going to be a trainer but you have to be a salesperson. Learning the sales end of the business in order to gain and maintain clients was challenging.
Entering a competitive field can also be a bit intimidating and you have to learn how to drown out the haters and grow a thick skin. My goals and successes are going to be different than the person working next to me so I have made a conscious effort to remind myself to stick to what I know is true. Being my own person and going back to my journey is how I continue to inspire everyone who crosses my path!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the Head Coach at Orangetheory in Back Bay. I head the fitness team, coach classes and plan events to get involved with the community. After doing my first Orangetheory class… I instantly got hooked. I love that our workouts are functional, safe and effective! Most of all, I always feel good after! When I first became a trainer I thought my clients had to be crawling on the floor after their workouts in order to see results, which is not the case!
I also work part-time at a Pure Barre and Crossfit gym which I believe sets me apart. I take all of the aspects from different programs and continue to grow and be challenged as a fitness professional. Being a gymnast has taught me proper body awareness which helps me connect with clients one on one and in group settings.
As long as you are always going back to the basics, I do not believe that there is only one way or one path you need to follow… It’s like eating the same vegetables every day, what’s the fun in that? Variety is the spice of life!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, people always told me I was very funny, outgoing and entertaining. My sister played classical piano and my mom wanted me to follow in her footsteps but that was not the plan I had for my life. If my mother was looking for me she would find me in the backyard doing acrobats.
I would make my mom drive me around to every acrobat studio in the state of Rhode Island which leads me to competitive gymnastics and coaching. I even put a trampoline without permission in the backyard while my parents were away on vacation (sorry guys)!
Contact Info:
- Address: 10 Saint James Ave, Boston, MA 02116
- Website: https://boston-back-bay.orangetheoryfitness.com/
- Phone: 1617-936-4890
- Email: abby@orangetheoryma.com
- Instagram: @otfbackbay / @abigaelmanzoni
- Facebook: https://www.orangetheoryfitness.com
Image Credit:
Nicollette Person, Meg Ellery
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