Happy Summer! 
May 2014
 

Greetings!
 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! We wish you a safe and happy holiday! Just a reminder - Evolution Fitness will be closed on Memorial Day.

 

A big shout-out to all of our Muffin-Top Meltdown Challengers! We can see your bodies changing and are inspired by your dedication & commitment. Those exercise challenges are tough, aren't they?? You can thank co-owner, David, for them!

 

For our featured article this month, co-owner Danielle Kane shares what she learned about courage, fear and taking the leap from the experiences that led her to receive an EXPY award this past April. We are so proud of her!

 

Also, co-owner Helena Duzenski is joining the Board for NAWBO SJ! You are all invited to the Installation Dinner on June 12, 2014 at the Trump National Golf Club in Pine Hill, NJ. The keynote speaker is Jen Croneberger, 3x TEDx speaker.

 

Finally, we are happy to introduce you to our newest Fitness Coach, Steve Drakos! He is a great addition to the team and we are so excited to have him on the team. Learn more about Steve below.

 

  Committed to your success always,
The Evolution Fitness Team
What I learned about courage, fear & taking the leap...

We all want to reach our goals and feel success. But it can be scary and many of us never take the jump. I jumped twice this past year and amazing things have happened.

 

The first jump was with the support of my business partners when we decided to seize the opportunity to co-author a fitness book called Get with The Program. Just months after taking that risk, our book reached best-sellers status on Amazon and we were on our way to Hollywood, California to accept a Quilly Award for it. That's where I took my second jump - or should I say leap!

  

In addition to the Golden Gala Awards Ceremony in Hollywood, there was a two-day Summit where we learned from business experts from all over the country. About two months before the trip to California, I received an email from the organization hosting the Summit and Awards Ceremony about an opportunity to speak at the event and possibly win Thought Leader of the Year. The first step was to send a video that briefly explained the talk I planned to give. Then, if enough of the attendees voted for my video, I would have 10 minutes live at the Summit to speak on whatever topic I chose. As soon as I saw the email, my heart jumped in my throat. I knew immediately I wanted to challenge myself to do it, but the fear set in just as quickly. I decided to do it anyway. After all, I had some reservations about writing a book and look at all the amazing things that had happened. Yes, this time I was stepping out completely on my own, without the safety net of my friends and business partners, but I knew it was time. I decided to not let my fear - of rejection, of not being good enough, of failure - to hold me back. I filmed the video and sent it in.   


The time was approaching when the Thought Leaders would be selected. I'll never forget the phone call from my agent. I was completely surprised that I was chosen to speak. I was also scared because now I had to actually give the talk. The fear started to take hold of me. I even contemplated backing out. But, I thought about it and knew I could do it. I knew how passionate I was about my talk because it was about the steps I had taken to change my life to be happy. When preparing for my speech, I decided to add something special to the end which was to sing the song "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall. It's something that comes naturally to me and the song was a perfect fit. It was a great tie in to my story and a fantastic way to sum everything up.

 

When we arrived in Hollywood, all I could think about was giving my speech. I was very nervous for a number of reasons. First, I was a little intimidated about speaking in front of 250 best-selling authors, entrepreneurs and millionaires. The fearful voice inside my head doubted, "Do I deserve to be up there?" Plus, there was the whole 10 minute time limit thing and, to top it all off, the dry California air was making my throat really dry - not so great when you have to sing.

 

I walked on stage with sweaty palms and butterflies in my stomach. "I got this. I got this. I'll be fine. I got this," I repeated over and over. It had been my mantra all day. I am proud to say the speech turned out great! I felt alive, on fire and totally connected to the audience. I loved doing it! Was this my next calling? Overall, the speech was well received by the audience. I even got a standing ovation! And, everyone really loved the song. I was glad I followed my creative intuition.

 

Having the courage to do this speech led to the final amazing thing, the EXPY Awards. The EXPY Awards are hosted by the National Association of Experts, Writers and Speakers in which experts are recognized for their achievements for 2014. When my agent informed me that I was selected to receive an EXPY for the speech I had given, I was definitely surprised. I had not expected this. As I got up to accept my award at The Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, I thought back to when I decided to go for Thought Leader of the Year. I never thought that one decision would have taken me this far.


My biggest take away from all of this is that anything is possible. The people that succeed are the ones that take the risk and jump. Jump and the net will appear I always say. Starting my own business was scary. Writing a book was scary. Giving my speech was scary. But I didn't let the fear stop me and amazing things have happened.

 
Trainer Spotlight: Steve Drakos

Steve Drakos is the newest addition to the  Evolution Fitness coaching staff. Previously, he worked with co-owners, Brian and David, at their former place of business and he is very happy to be back with them again. He believes strongly in EvoFit's vision and mission and is excited to be a part of it all.

 

Steve found his passion for fitness when he joined a gym for the first time as a freshman in high school. He would go every day after school with his dad and at night with a friend. It was there he found that inner competitiveness that drove him to always be better, to continually improve. Now he exercises and leads a healthy lifestyle not just for himself, but for the people who matter to him most because he wants to be there for them always.

 

"Exercise has taught me patience and discipline, not just in the gym but in life," says Steve. "I hope to share that with others.  What I love about being a fitness coach is helping people to establish, train, and accomplish goals that will help change their life."

 

Steve has two other passions outside of fitness: the outdoors & visiting historical sites, especially anything between the 17th and 19th centuries. His favorite quote is from Batman Begins: "It's not who you are, but what you do that defines you."

In This Issue
May
Shake of the Month  
 

Batter Up!


Make it a
"Grand Slam"
and change it to Chocolate Protein!


May Birthdays
  

HAPPY
 
BIRTHDAY! 

Stephen W. 
Phyllis H. 
Karen K. 
Coach Chris 
Nelson M. 
Laura M. 
Shawn C. 
Bev M. 
Christine E. 
Angela S. 
Jenn M. 
Alison H. 
Nina C.

 


Recipe of the Month
 Quinoa Fruit Salad

Servings: 6 (as a side dish)

 

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
Pinch of salt

 

Honey Lime Dressing:

Juice of 1 large lime
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

 

For the fruit:

1 � cups blueberries
1 � cups sliced strawberries
1 � cups chopped mango
Extra chopped mint, for garnish-optional

 

Directions:

1. Using a strainer, rinse the quinoa under cold water. Add quinoa, water, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let quinoa cool to room temperature.

 

2. The Honey Lime Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the lime juice, honey, & mint together.

 

3. In a large bowl, combine blueberries, quinoa, strawberries, & mango. Pour honey lime dressing over the fruit salad and mix until well combined. Garnish with additional mint, if desired. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

 

Note-Use your favorite fruit in this salad. Blackberries, peaches, kiwi, raspberries, pineapple, grapes, etc. are great options!

 

Helena joins  
NAWBO SJ Board 


Co-owner of Evolution Fitness, Helena Duzenski, will be officially inducted onto the board of NAWBO SJ (National Association of Women Business Owners) on June 12th, 2014 at the Trump National Golf Club in Pine Hill, NJ.  The dinner event will be from 5:30pm - 8:30pm and will feature keynote speaker, Jen Croneberger - author, coach, & 3x TEDx speaker. 

We hope you can join Helena and her fellow co-owners, David Duzenski, Danielle Kane, & Brian Kane for this night of celebration & inspiration! Early bird registration ends 5/23.