With over 15 years in the fitness industry, Gabrielle (Gabi) Mazar’s journey is one of entrepreneurship, dedication and triumph – from her early years interning back in 2007, to becoming an active trainer, and opening up a gym in 2012 – Health Body Works in Tempe, AZ – Gabi was able to build up a loyal client base tripling her business. With business booming, she purchased another gym, Pilates Tempe in 2019 and started yet another company which combined her love for both fitness and travel in the same year. The new venture, Destination Fitcations.
Destination Fitcations is a worry free, stress free, all inclusive luxurious vacation for travelers who love to stay active. Destination Fitcations allows the opportunity for clients to experience the comfort of an all planned out, and unforgettable pampered trip to exotic places where one can go and recharge, return home and not feel the need for another vacation after the vacation.
Gabi’s vision is to make fitness fun again, but also develop and maintain sustainable self-care practices for her clients. After being diagnosed with Hoshimoto’s Thyroiditis, she realized how important it is to encourage each individual on their health journey, as they work towards living better lifestyles, “We are all made differently. Every ‘body’ is different. We all have different body types, differently abled in its own beautiful make up, and we should see fitness and nutrition not as an unrealistic factor to attain but one to live out and enjoy.”
KISH: Tell us about you.
This is a fascinating query, always. I had a fairly typical childhood and was an active kid. I had no idea what my passion was or what I wanted to do with my life. I have a number of interests that I genuinely care about. I find it amazing when children know what they want to be when they grow up, but I have always been a person who is willing to try anything and take chances. Before I turned 40, I worked multiple jobs, bought a house young, traveled extensively, and launched three businesses. I suppose you could say that, even if it drives me crazy, if I set my mind to something, I will succeed. There are always challenges, and it hasn’t always been simple, but I enjoy a challenge, I enjoy feeling accomplished, and I especially enjoy that the career path I chose enables people to live and lead healthier lives.
KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Gabi: My dream is to create a community. When I started my business in 2011, I knew that being a personal trainer wasn’t it for me. In a small community, you can only reach so
many people. With the creation of Destination Fitcations, I can show individuals they can maintain an active and healthy lifestyle while also traveling the globe to experience other cultures, meet new people, and build new communities.
Maintaining good health is not a means to an end. It is not a mark to be reached and an end in itself. Till this life is completed, you are never truly finished. I want individuals to lead the healthiest, happiest, and most active lives possible. My goal of growing my company internationally is let people realize how crucial quality of life is and how investing in your health today can result in a longer, healthier life with less time and money spent on healthcare.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Gabi: I have always been a big thinker, a big ideas person. Being confined to the “norms” has always been hard for me. Entrepreneurship was really a no brainer because it allows me to think outside the box and explore the possibilities of life. We don’t have to live inside this box, there is so much more to life. When I became a personal trainer, I knew my goal was to help people. With time and experience, I learned how much more there was to it. There is only so much time that I have with a client, the rest of the time is up to you. I really enjoy seeing people reach their fitness objectives, and as a Pilates instructor and stretch therapist, I also witness amazing results. However, I wanted to go further and incorporate lifestyle into the overall picture. You don’t have to live a wholly deprivation-driven, miserable life, consuming just chicken and broccoli and spending all your time on the treadmill. There is much more to health than just nutrition and exercise. It involves time spent in nature, relaxation, and doing activities you enjoy while on vacation. You can live your life and still live and a lead a healthy lifestyle.
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Gabi: It’s challenging to own and operate a business. Money is not always assured, and there are good times and bad times. Additionally, you need to be ready to lose clients, which is not always simple. When you’re passionate about what you do, you give it your all and, even when it’s not personal, you take it personally. But, in the end, your diligence and perseverance will eventually pay off.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Gabi:There are numerous factors at play. One of the biggest is having a partner that supports me in pursuing all of my goals, no matter how crazy he finds them to be. You may have to change the plan or the course, but the end result will be the same, especially if you truly believe in it. Another important element is my customers. In a sense, you are giving up on them if you give up on yourself.
KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Gabi:Don’t be afraid to dream big. There will always be someone that thinks the worst. When people ask what if it doesn’t work, respond by saying… What if it does, though?
