Sophia Papaioannou
What inspired you to kickstart your fitness journey? A few months ago I injured my ankle and was put on bedrest. Not being active caused me to gain some weight and I wasn’t feeling like my best self. As I’ve gotten older, I let life get in the way of prioritizing my health and hadn’t felt truly happy or confident in my own body for some time. I knew I wanted to make a change, and the choice to join the studio was an easy one. It made the idea of a lifestyle change less intimidating ...and instead of having to plan gym workouts which I don’t know much about, I am able to get a quality and full body workout with every class I take!
How have you noticed yourself evolving since you started? Not only is my body transforming, but I feel myself getting stronger physically and mentally every day. To be honest I’ve never really been a fan of working out, but I finally feel like I have found love for it through these classes…they are challenging and engaging, which has led me to push myself in ways I never have before.
What's been the biggest hurdle you've faced along the way? The biggest hurdle I faced was trying to build the habit of working out consistently. Committing to taking multiple classes a week and sticking to it was a big lifestyle change and though it was hard at first, now I can’t imagine it any other way. I used to dread the thought of working out and now I look forward to it!
Any pearls of wisdom for those just starting out? It’s great to push yourself but it’s also important to listen to what your body needs. It’s a challenging workout and it’s ok to take the modifications!!
What keeps your fitness fire burning bright? I was originally motivated by wanting to feel happy and confident in my body, but it has become so much bigger than that. I have gained such a sense of happiness and well being through this journey and through taking care of myself, I am determined to keep this feeling alive and hopefully motivate others to do the same!
How has your mindset shifted since you began this journey? Through the challenges of these classes I have pushed myself mentally and physically like never before. I am now so much more confident in myself and what I can achieve not only in class but in my day to day life!
In what ways has The Studio (MDR) been instrumental in your transformation? The studio has been the sole reason for my transformation. I knew I wanted to make a change in my lifestyle but the thought of going to the gym just didn't excite me. I fell in love with the studio and the workout for so many reasons. The environment is inviting and the staff is so warm and personable. The workout is always challenging and every class is different, which keeps me interested and excited. On top of all that, my results have been amazing! I feel so strong and so confident in my body and I truly attribute that to the workout. I am so happy to be on this journey and can't wait to see my progress unfold!