From Erika:
When I was 20 I was diagnosed with both Sjogrens Syndrome and Hashimotos, which is a fancy word for hypothyroidism. Sjogren’s Syndrome is a disease where your body makes too many anti bodies and thinks it is constantly sick, therefore making you feel incredibly tired. Hypothyroidism is when you have a barely functioning thyroid, which controls your metabolism, and thus making it very slow. I gained 15 pounds pretty much over night at 20. I was a dancer my whole life and had always been fit, so this came as a shock. For a couple of years after my diagnosis, I struggled with keeping weight off, but because I never really worked out (I relied on my metabolism and dance practice), I didn’t know how to go about it, what to eat, etc. I didn’t know about a “fit” lifestyle.
In 2012 at the age of 23 I met Elena, and it was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I started training at her gym in Old Bridge, where she became not only my trainer, but my mentor, and friend. Within the first month of working out, I became hooked. She taught me how to eat right, how to eat HEALTHY. Elena didn’t tell me to diet to keep my weight off, she taught me about lifestyle changes. Replace this with that, eat this in moderation, keep it high protein. Despite her having the craziest of schedules, she always took the time out to answer my text messages about meal choices when I couldn’t decide if I was making the right choice for the day. She would take time out of her day to talk to me on the phone when I was dealing with my body dysmorphia, a disease I obtained when I gained weight that I thought I had 0 control over. Elena taught me that fit was beautiful, bones were unhealthy.
Aside from helping mentally, the results were in the pictures. I started seeing definition in places I never saw before, not even at my prime as a dancer. My arms were cut, my legs strong. My stomach was hard as a rock. Seeing these results pushed me harder, I wanted more. Elena would help me fight the fatigue I had every day and helped me NOT be a statistic of auto-immune disease patients. Elena is different than other trainers in that every workout is personal. She sees each body as unique, and with that should have it’s own unique work out. I tend to store fat in my hips, Elena always makes sure to fit in a workout that will target my love handles.
Elena has changed my life. I eat better, I eat balanced, I eat healthy. I don’t have my metabolism on my side, so I rely solely on eating right and working out. I could not have done this without the help of Elena as my trainer. At 29 years old, she is still my trainer, my mentor, and friend. I still text her at 2am about my breakfast choice for the morning, I still train with her until the sweat is blinding me and I can’t walk up the subway steps the next day. I still call her when I’m looking in the mirror and see someone totally different so that her voice of confidence and reassurance can stick to my heart and calm me down. Anyone that trains with Elena is one of the lucky ones. Trust me.
Erika Martini Denora
FROM DEBBIE:
In April of 2017 I made the decision that with my “big” birthday coming up in a few months I wanted to gracefully slide into 50 instead of rolling in. I like many others have struggled with my weight for years. I had a friend who joined a gym so I thought I would go and take a look. When I went in I met the personal training manager, Elena. She was one of the most direct people I had ever met. We spoke for a few minutes and before I knew it I was signed up for training sessions three times a week. Elena had told me that if I listened to her advice, follow the program and do the work I would get the results I desired. Well we started the very next day. It was not easy and I immediately had second thoughts but there was Elena cheering me on and reassuring me that I could do it. She knew how to push me out of my comfort zone but never make me feel uncomfortable. Before I knew it I was at the gym five times a week (pretty amazing) and all the while she was available to talk over any problems, go over my diet and always cheering me on. Before I knew it four months had passed my birthday was here and as she had promised I got results! I wanted to lose 50 pounds by my birthday and had actually lost 60!! Along the way Elena went from being my trainer to my friend. I haven’t finished my journey but with her in my corner I know I will finally achieve my goals!!
Debbie P
From David Flores:
My name is Dave Flores. I’m 40 years old. I am a retired Marine and professional firefighter. Ive been working out for years but have always had problems with weight. I have been successful in the past at dropping weight but I was never consistent with my diet or with what ever program I was doing at the time. And, believe me I tried many programs. Many were intense! So when I started shopping around looking for a trainer, I needed someone that not only get me where I needed to as far as my goals but also challenge me with intense workouts every time we meet. I came across Elena’s add and read it several times before I gave her a call out of pure curiosity. When we talked I could tell right away that this was a person who does not play any games. She is serious about what she does and very motivating. So I agreed to take her on. Boy was I in for a rude awakening! Her workout was one of the most intense that I had ever taken. She showed me how tough she could be and how out of shape I didn’t think I was. And, it didn’t take long for me to see results either. I followed her program and diet the way she planned it out for me and in a matter of weeks I felt and saw positive changes. I am still working with her and though I still have long to go, there is no doubt in my mind that I will reach my goals with Elena. I not only gained one hell of a motivating trainer who sticks with you and holds you accountable every step of the way, but a friend that I know I can count on.
So any of you guys out there who don’t think that you can get on the right path with a female trainer, guess again! Try Elena on. She will make a believer out of you too.
Dave Flores
I not only gained one hell of a motivating trainer who sticks with you and holds you accountable every step of the way, but a friend that I know I can count on.
Phoenix Rising: Set Your Soul On Fire 