GABRIELLE MAZAR

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do.

A. My name is Gabrielle (Gabi) Mazar. I own the Pilates Tempe fitness studio and work as a personal trainer, stretch therapist, Pilates instructor, podcast host, and owner of the Destination Fitcations fitness vacation company.

Q. Who or what motivated you to be a trainer?

A. I have always loved fitness and being active. When I was in college, I was pre-business and really wasn’t happy. I honestly just took a chance to try classes in the Exercise & Wellness program and ended up really enjoying it. Although I didn’t know what I would do with it, I was passionate about it. Working with my mentor Bob Mathews during my internship helped me realize that helping people was what I truly wanted to do.

Q. Tell us about “Destination Fitcations” and how it got started.

A. Destination Fitcations has been a dream of mine for a long time. I have always thought about taking my two passions and bringing them together. Travelling the world and experiencing new things fills my soul and living healthy is what I do and teach people daily. I have always felt like people, myself included, let everything go while they are on vacation and end up coming back feeling exhausted and gross. I wanted to show people that you can go on vacation, have an unbelievable time, and still maintain good health while doing it.

Q. What are three tips on staying fit and healthy?

A. My three biggest tips for staying healthy would be that movement is key, try to eat at home more or out less, and get 6-8 hours of sleep a night. Get some form of exercise most days of the week, whether it’s a 30-minute walk, a fitness class, swimming, whatever that may be. Eating at home helps you to consume less calories as well as make better choices. And sleep is your recovery time! Getting good sleep keeps you healthy and functioning well.

Q. Was there a time in your career when you felt like you wanted to give up?

A. Only about 100 or so times did I ever feel like giving up. However, I couldn’t give up because people depended on me. If I gave up, what would motivate my clients to keep going? We all have challenging times and sometimes the journey is hard, but the destination is worth it.

Q. Can you tell us where you see your business in the next three years?

A. I envision my Pilates studio opening a second location in the next three years for teacher training and small groups, and I envision Destination Fitcations visiting five different countries every year across the globe!

Q. What is one fun fact about yourself?

A. I am a first generation American who has traveled to more than 20 countries.

Q. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A. Someday I would love to visit Antarctica. I hope to visit all 7 continents.

Q. Are there any events or upcoming projects you are currently working on?

A. I am currently working on next year’s Fitcations to Vancouver, Slovenia, and New Zealand.

Q. Where can our readers follow you?

A. You can follow me in Instagram @gabriellemazar, @pilatestempe, and @destination_fitcations, and on Facebook at Pilates Tempe and Destination Fitcations.