High-point Essay #2 Winner (tie): How do you encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle?

“It’s not about WHO you are, but WHAT you do and HOW you do it!” Being from a small midwestern town health and fitness is not a top priority; so, when I decided to make health and wellness my life I had to figure out What will you do and HOW will you do it?
Owning a gym in a small town, that has several other gyms, I had to become authentic – and the best way to do that was to be myself! I have found that people appreciate and respect someone who is honest with them! When I opened my doors I told myself, “If you can inspire one person then you’ve won”, so I opened my doors and had 4 people sign up for boot camp classes; I was on top of the world. Within 2 weeks I had 30+ individuals signed up and needed more classes or a bigger space!

What was astonishing was 70% of the clients that walked through my doors had never participated in a fitness class nor been a member of a gym before. 4 years later, they are still members and have changed their lives. I have been consistent with them, have encouraged them, have helped guide them, never judged them, and made them feel confident & secure in their own skin!

Sammi Jo Powers

First Runner-up: Hawaii’s Fit Miss Alyssa Branscombe