Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlene Silvera.
Arlene, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My fitness journey began during the hardest and most trying time of my life. I had just turned 50 and was suddenly dealing with restarting my whole life. The very thought of it crippled me with depression. I just couldn’t seem to find a way out of the way I was feeling… I was just stuck. That’s when my son urged me to get up and moving. “You’ll feel better!” he insisted. That day I did get up, I ran and ran until I had nothing left. And it turned out that he was right, I DID feel better!
Filled with hope, I hired a trainer who believed in me more than I believed in myself. Twelve weeks later, I competed in my first NPC Bikini Competition. I didn’t place but I found myself addicted to the experience; I knew I had to compete again, Six weeks later, I hit the stage again, and much to my surprise, I WON. This sparked a massive change in my life. At 52 years old, I decided that after almost 30 years in the Financial Services industry, I wanted to change my career. Both terrified and excited, I started my first Boot Camp in the local park with just eight people. 18 short but successful months later, I found myself opening my very own gym, Addicted2Fitness.
I hated working out and had never lifted before. It wasn’t until I hit my fifties that I began to appreciate and enjoy all that it has done for me. It hasn’t just improved my body physically, it has also completely mentally transformed me. Fitness has given me purpose, confidence and an incredible passion for life. My goal now is to show other women that “it’s never too late to begin a fit and healthy lifestyle”. If you make the commitment to get fit, you may find the results far more rewarding and life-changing then you could ever imagine, I sure did.
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?
My road has not always been a smooth one. My struggles came from being a 50-year-old woman, rediscovering who she was while facing the uncertainty of beginning a brand new career. I honestly believe this is a struggle that many women of varying ages can relate to. I encourage these women to take a chance, put themselves out there and give it everything you’ve got. Never let fear hold you back.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into A2F Gym story. Tell us more about your work.
At A2F Gym, we specialize in Bikini Competition Prep, Bodybuilding Prep, Weight Loss, Mommy Makeovers and Meal Plans. I’m proud to inspire and give hope to other women that they should never give up and that age is just a number. Our goal is to help women of every age to look and feel they’re very best.
What separates A2F from others is the environment we’ve created. We make fitness fun and a place where you can feel comfortable knowing that you’ll never feel judged. My age is something that sets A2F apart from others too. At 57 years old, I still compete in the IFBB Pro League as a bikini competitor. I think something that women my age (and even younger too) think to themselves is “I’m too old to accomplish this” or “it’s too late for me to try something new”. I’m living, breathing proof that it is NEVER too late for anyone to start again.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
My secret to networking has always been living by example and changing people’s lives through fitness. Through that, I’ve been able to build my business off of referrals.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9542 Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730
- Website: http://a2fgym.com
- Phone: (909) 921-7220
- Email: arlenes24@live.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a2fbabe_ifbbpro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arlene.padillasilvera
Image Credit:
Chris Hayden
Amir Marandi
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