This week we are interviewing one of our newest clients, Stephany with BODY ROK. BODY ROK has become on of our favorite workouts in the last few months! It is an experience that sculpts your body and elevates your metabolism levels. It involves a three-stage lighting system that guides you through the workout. There is currently one studio in San Diego, however, soon there will be a second location in the One Paseo development in Del Mar designed by yours truly!
With the NEW YEAR, and the NEW YOU we wanted to take a moment to interview the amazing woman behind it all! Stephany is so inspiring and we are excited to share her story with you! She explains her journey as a business owner, single mom and health guru!
How did you come to own a BODY ROK Studio?
I started my career in finance, but always had a passion for health, fitness and fashion. Early on, I had an entrepreneurial spirit and in my spare time I designed clothes, jewelry, developed plant-based recipes and taught group fitness classes. After years in the finance world, I decided to pursue my passion for fitness by opening BODY ROK in Encinitas, California – a Pilates and spin studio that has transformed the way people work out. I was good friends with the founders of BODY ROK and their goal was to expand BODY ROK in San Francisco and other larger cities and I had agreed to franchise and grow BODY ROK in San Diego. I also added a small boutique to the studio with a selection of active wear brands that are a unique studio to street wear collection which will be available at the One Paseo location as well. We have some very cool brands such as Noli Yoga, Niyamasol, Alo Yoga, Spiritual Gangster, Goldsheep, Track & Bliss, and many other lines that you don’t often find elsewhere.
I’ve lived in North County for nearly 20 years where I have influenced a large following of clients and friends to transform their lives through fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle.
Can you explain the BODY ROK workout for those who aren't familiar?
The workout at BODY ROK is a pilates inspired, 40-50 minute, full body, strength training group class on the custom BODY ROK reformer. Each challenging class ROKs your body with a curated playlist, inspiration, motivation and the best instructors in San Diego that will help you strengthen, tone & build lean muscle. What makes this workout so special is that there is nothing else like it. The machine allows you to target smaller muscles that help build strength, lean definition and a youthful body. Because you are on a moving/spring based machine, you literally have to engage your core the entire workout and so you work those abs and obliques even when you are doing leg and upper body exercise. People see huge results and that is what keeps people coming back! Our teaching pros guide you every step of the way with personalized attention throughout your 40-50 minute class.
How often do you workout?
I typically take a BODY ROK class almost every day. I love the workout and the great thing about it is that you don’t get bored with it. All of our teachers come up with their own routines everyday – so unlike some group classes where they are stuck teaching the same routines for weeks or months – every day is a different routine. Plus… no other workout works as well for me, so I try to get in a BODY ROK workout 5 to 6 times a week. When I’m not working out at BODY ROK, I like to do yoga at CorePower Yoga or Yoga Six! It's the best combination for a long and lean look to your body.
Do your kids workout with you?
Yes! My kids are all really into working out and love taking classes at the studio too. I think because they grew up around it and were exposed to it at an early age, they all are really great at pilates, spin and yoga and it’s something we all do together! I think it’s great to start kids at an early age appreciating working out and finding fun group classes that make them feel good about themselves but are also fun. It’s a lifelong gift!
How do you keep a balanced lifestyle and daily routine?
It’s not always easy. Being a single mom of 4 and a business owner, I have to be really mindful of my time and the things I choose to put my energy into.
I find that if I start my day with my typical morning routine, I tend to accomplish more. I get up and do 10 minutes of meditation. Then I write down 5 things that I absolutely, non-negotiable have to complete that day, 1 thing that I have been putting off and 1 thing that I will do for myself. Then I drink 16 ounces of lemon water, followed by 16 ounces of celery juice 30 minutes later. Then I have an all fruit smoothie for breakfast. I usually go to BODY ROK in the morning and take a class. When I stick to that routine, I feel like I have set myself up physically and mentally to be efficient, get a lot of things done and also do something for myself every day!
What motivates you?
I lost my husband 5 years ago to a heart attack and was left to raise my 4 kids on my own. THAT is what motivates me. It has been my mission to live my life in a way that shows my children, and other people that have had adversity or tragedy, that you can find strength to overcome difficulty and still have a beautiful life. I find so much motivation in watching and helping other people finding their strength and being the light for other people.
How do you challenge yourself and those around you?
There are always improvements you can make in yourself and how you live. Every month I pick one fear or limiting idea I have about myself and I attack it by going outside my comfort zone. I push myself to confront those limiting ideas or things that I’m not exactly pleased about and I try to make little changes every week. It doesn’t have to be big/huge things. For example, I don’t love cardio exercise so one month, I really focused on trying to mix up my exercise routine. Another month, I focused on my lack of organization and my propensity to put things off until the last minute. This month, I’ve focused on trying to reconnect with friends because it’s easy for me to get lost in my busy schedule with my kids and work and become a hermit!! I try to challenge others around me by leading by example. I encourage my clients and friends to challenge themselves when it comes to fitness and nutrition. For example, at the studio, we are going to do a 28 day challenge:
No animal products.
No chips or fries.
No soda.
No cakes or donuts.
No white bread.
No ice cream.
No candy.
No alcohol.
No fast food.
No cookies.
No fried food.
People love a little competition – so why not make it healthy.
What is your astrological sign?
Gemini – and I am soooo Gemini lol. My youngest recently told one of my friends that “my mom is like Buddha and then sometimes she is the devil.”
What is your favorite vegan recipe?
I have so many but one of my kids favorites is my banana, oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies:
3 ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup barely warm coconut oil
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup almond flour
1/3 cup shredded and unsweetened coconut
½ cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tsp baking powder
6-7 oz vegan choc chips
Preheat oven to 350.
In a large bowl combine the bananas, vanilla and oil. Set aside. In another bowl whisk together the oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon and salt and baking powder. Add dry to wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Make dough into balls - 2 teaspoons in size and put on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
Any New Years Resolutions?
My New Years resolutions for this year are:
Hydration! - It’s easy to get so busy that you don’t have time to drink enough water! That’s why I’ve switched up my morning routine to include 16 ounces of lemon water, 16 ounces of celery juice and 16 ounces fruit smoothie. Hydration is the absolute key to good/youthful/glowy skin, healthy hair, relief of muscle pain/fatigue and better energy.
More Yoga and stretching.
More mediation.
Be more social. - I’ve gotten complacent and have used my busy schedule with kids and work as an excuse not to do things!
Look for BODY ROK San Diego location #3! - I really would like to open another one in the Little Italy area of San Diego. I'm putting it out into the universe!
What do you want to be known for?
I want to be known as someone that lived with compassion and that helped people live healthier and happier lives. I want to help people feel good about themselves and feel healthy and youthful. The power to do that is in eating more plant based, avoiding the use of toxic products, low impact strength training and movement, meditation and limiting medications. I try to lead by example always and hope this is how I am remembered.
Coffee or Tea – Tea
Lipstick or Chapstick – Chapstick
Heels or Flats – Flats
Red Wine or White Wine – Vodka (LOL)
Beach or Mountains – Beach
Hike or Stroll – Hike
Jeans or Skirt – Jeans
Less or More – Less things… More love!
Follow Stephany on social media at @stephsfitculture, where she shares more of her everyday nutritional routines, beauty regiments and lifestyle content!
Stephany was kind enough to give us a promo code for you guys to get your first class at BODY ROK free! See below!
