Lisa Avellino is one of New York's top fitness experts and a corporate wellness consultant who has worked in the fitness industry for more than 30 years. She developed the Balance 3H+ "Reboot" fitness plan that accompanies the Balance 3H+ Diet Plan at NY Health and Wellness. Reboot is a customized fitness program for women in perimenopause and menopause, which features simple, fun and effective 15 minute periods of exercise during the day.
Lisa works closely with each of her clients to provide custom programs based on their needs, fitness level and goals - including weight loss, increased strength, flexibility, toning, etc. Lisa is dedicated to motivating clients and creating an environment where health goals are heard, nurtured, and ultimately achieved.
She is a published author and has been featured in The New York Times, Shape, Fitness, Prevention, The Journal, First for Women as well as FOX, NBC, ABC, NEWS 12 and others.
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
Well they say if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger. This has been true in both my fitness workouts and in my life in general. My life lessons of pregnancy, motherhood, entrepreneurship, hardship, being the comeback kid, a volunteer, overcoming major obstacles, being a public speaker and working in the fitness industry are a few of the life experiences that have made me stronger and the leader I am today!
How has your previous employment experience aided your tenure at NY Health and Wellness?
Working in the women only fitness industry for over 20 years has prepared me for the highest level of fitness and wellness -- medical fitness, movement therapies and customized workouts for the premenopausal and menopausal woman.
What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenure at NY Health and Wellness?
The highlights are the success stories of women that have achieved the feeling of well-being for the first time. The challenge has been the education aspect of our mission. A common reaction to the correlation between hormones and weight loss has been less than receptive. My challenge has been to raise awareness about the science and research behind their symptoms and help women understand it's not their fault, it's their hormones.
What advice can you offer to women who want a career in your industry?
My advice to women that want to enter this industry would be to do it for all the right reasons. Meaning you must be passionate about it and dedicated to the educational aspect. I would encourage them to ask a health club owner or master fitness trainer for the opportunity to shadow them. With an influx of information on the internet in an overcrowded market it is essential that you do not put up your shingle until you have a differentiator, a mentor, education and the experience to stand behind the methodology that you present. This is a great industry for the student, young mom and older woman looking for a career change as it offers flexible hours and keeps you in top shape too! Most important, you are committed to yourself as a starting point, to lead by example is to practice what you preach- so be authentic!
What is the most important lesson you've learned in your career to date?
The most important lesson I have learned is to never judge a book by its cover- meaning I have clients in their 70s and 80 s that can stand on one leg lifting 16 pounds and do a boot camp session and yet there are teenagers that are trying to keep up with them. I once offered a student discount for training until the student said she saved up to have a session with me- she said "my friends prefer a designer bag- it's not what you can afford it's what you value." I was taken aback by this life lesson and it continues to hold true- value your spending because everything in your closet looks better when you put on the most important accessory- a smile, great posture, strong core and the energy to light up a room, which all come from fitness and wellness. True beauty truly radiates from the inside out.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
I balance work and life by prioritizing deadlines and meditating. The concept of meditation is simply being mindful and practicing being present to reinforce being aware with a heightened sensitivity to using all our senses. When we are stressed we often become desensitized, distracted and disconnected. The best way to maintain balance is to schedule personal workouts, fun outings like plays, museum visits, girls nights out and personal reflection time!
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
The biggest issue for women in the workplace is that they may actually believe that they are stuck where they are. Women are creative, superheroes, brilliant thinkers with unbelievable stamina. Women are nurturers so their natural inclination is to give to others first and often run on empty when it comes to their personal development. Women must harness that amazing energy and use it to improve their health, education and create the road map to their highest goal. This slight shift of scheduling more energy for oneself will help women in the personal well-being and in their workplace environment too! Over the decades, I've seen a significant percentage of women getting a promotion at work when their fitness level improves. I think it is obvious that when your physical stamina increases you cannot just do more - but do more efficiently!
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?
My 25 years of experience in the fitness industry has afforded me the privilege and opportunity to mentor women seeking this wellness. Being a role model in the fitness and wellness industry is like the saying "the highest form of flattery is imitation." When I see women's lives change from just ok, to outrageous it makes me the happiest women on the planet. My motivational skill set is key because it is genuine and based on experience. What I knew with my instincts came to fruition over the decades. I am so proud to have been a thought leader in the most important part of our lives as it affects every part of ourselves. Being a teacher, sponsor, cheerleader, counselor and friend has made a difference in my professional and personal life because I received the inspiration from the people's lives that I have inspired because each has become a part of the new version of my practice.
Which other female leaders do you admire and why?
I believe Eleanor Roosevelt was referring to inner strength and physical strength when she wrote this. She said "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." Another leader I admire is Madonna as she understands the ageless timeless power player concept of reinvention and lights, camera action from the inside out of course. Marylyn Monroe said "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" referring to diamond cuts in her thighs, abs and tone arms, not the jewels you can take with you. Ivanka Trump is the one to watch as the role model for young business female entrepreneurs. I bought my first business in my early 20's and although I am older I admire her high style of attention to detail with confidence. Oprah is another leader I admire since I can't imagine planet Earth without her. She is a rock of inspiration that is ingrained in every category. She isn't just a role model, but a movement that changed everyone and every industry. My mom as she was ahead of her time in the fitness industry. I was so fortunate that I was growing up watching her every move - literally and figuratively!
What do you want to accomplish in the next year?
This year I strive to educate women about the prevention of diseases and the correlation between weight gain and hormones. And how hormones can be balanced naturally with a customized regimen and my new reboot 15! That's the short list of course! I am on a mission to make the world a happier and healthier place to live in especially since behind every successful man and relationship is a great woman, behind every super kid is a great mom, behind every successful project is a fabulous woman!