Meet Debbie Wolff | Fitness and Yoga Instructor and Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Debbie Wolff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Debbie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
When I first got into my fitness career it was almost about look at me. I can move quickly ( 80s aerobics) and look good doing it. Very quickly this developed into caring about my students/members /clients . I took time to study and take many certifications to learn more about group fitness and personal training , later moving into the yoga and Pilates methodology As a trainer or instructor it is no longer about me. It is how can I help my client to achieve the best version of themselves safely and with smart training I think the success of my business as a studio brand and, more recently in these past few months on a virtual level, has been my personal contact with clients, my helping them and seeing them individually not just as a group, because everyone is different I stay in close contact with their needs and desires. I try not to set goals with them but to help them understand this is a lifetime wellness journey I truly love what I do and I think it shows!!

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I have been a fitness and yoga instructor trainer since 1980 There isn’t one part or one day of those 40 years that I am not proud of. I wasn’t the best student in school mostly because most subjects didn’t interest me. When I found fitness it was something that sparked immediate interest and a quest to know more i studied hard and put in the the work to further my studies and knowledge so that I could be someone who was qualified to train others! It wasn’t easy, sometimes studying late at night while raising 2 children and managing a big box gym , but again it was important and interesting so I hung in there! Eventually I opened and ran my own studio for 10 years. I started with a small room in the back of a chiropractors office. Within a short amount of time I had to move into larger spaces , take on a partner and eventually had 3 rooms plus an outdoor area running classes simultaneously. We made it look easy but it definitely wasn’t. When I opened my studio boutique fitness was just beginning to happen and not so much in my area! So I was the only one doing what I was doing with group fitness and yoga. Over the years competition started cropping up and we had to stay focused on how great we were as a studio. You must stay current and timely. There’s always the knot in your stomach regarding expenses and maintaining if not surpassing numbers of clients each day!! I hope that people can take their dreams and make them a reality. There will be roadblocks but stay on course!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well we live in South Florida so it’s almost always a beach day. Definitely visiting the beaches is an attraction. If you are not near the beach we have beautiful parks and gardens. The Morikami Gardens are a beautiful place to visit, sit and some get married there There is no lack of food to be found but my favorite is sushi so we make that a few times a week!! I love to work out so we would no doubt take a fitness and / or yoga class early in the day. There’s no lack of studios for that either Visiting Miami and Vizcaya also a must and for those who want to do the tourist trip drive up to Orlando for a visit to Disney and all the attractions

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every successful person has at least one person to attribute their successes to. I have so many that I am grateful for having spent time with either in person or from studying with them The first person comes to mind is Jacki Sorensen without whom I would not be in this field for 40 years. Her creative program, Aerobic Dancing started me, first as a student, later propelled me into teaching . I learned a lot and had so much fun doing so. I still remember so many of my dance routines from the 80s and 90s because I loved it so much In my yoga trainings there are so many who taught me and so many i continue to refine my own personal practice with. Jimmy Barkan, Elizabeth Hoffman, just to name a few on my road to teaching I am always a student first. We can never stop learning if we are to stay in the game!!

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Youtube: Debbie wolff. Homebodies fitness and yoga

Image Credits
Bachi Frost photographer