trillfit is an elevated wellness and entertainment concept that celebrates hip hop and live music through carefully curated fitness activations and social gatherings.
What a time to be alive. Looking back on the past four months, I’m in awe at all that we were able to accomplish. 2015 was an incredible start to our TRILLFIT movement. 7 Acclaimed instructors. 4 sold-out events. 3 different venues. 1 DJ. 200 Attendees. We were profiled by Boston Magazine and some of the best blogs in the city. We were accepted into Future Boston’s start-up accelerator program. And all of that happened because you believed in us and in what we’re trying to build. Thank you. I can never say that enough. As we celebrate our wins of 2015 and get started on 2016, here are some resolutions from our squad to yours.
Allison Daroie, Yoga Instructor and founder of Paridaez: Dick Van Dyke turned 90 this year. When asked his advice on staying young he responded, just "keep moving." My Resolutions: 1. To move my body everyday. 2. To drink a glass of water before every meal. 3. Work smarter rather than harder.
Lydia Ermilio, Cycologist at Cyc Fitness: My resolution is to re-connect with people. This year was crazy for me and I was bad at communication! I want to be more social and make sure to keep in touch with the friends and family that mean the most to me.
Meagan Fitzgerald, Pilates Instructor at Equinox, Asana Charlestown, and Founder of Thrive Wellness and Pilates with Meagan: My resolutions are to...cut the clutter and get organized! I’m clearing space in life, my brain, PLUS space in my closet. Next, meditate! This will help keep me focused and goal oriented. With a baby on the way, I’m not sure how easy it’ll be but that’s when I’ll need it the most.
Daena Jeanne, co-Founder Unnamed Run Crew, Nike Run Club: My New Year’s resolution is to look at things more positively. Also, eat more greens. But that’s been a resolution every year for as long as I can remember now.
Kate Prince, Director of Brand Strategy at Cocomama: Start with three minutes and work up to 10 full minutes of mindfulness meditation every day.
Sara Gragnolati, founder at Cocomama: Learn how to use essential oils for supporting health and try one new recipe every week.
Heather C. White, founder of TRILLFIT: Write more. Continue my fitness journey. Take the GMAT. Finish the half-read books on my shelf and continue to read new ones. Evolve TRILLFIT’s programming and host even more events. Travel to new places. Call my Mom more. Find joy in all that I do.
Welcome to the warm-up, a bi-monthly trillfit feature where we chop it up with our favorite fitness instructors about their teaching styles, favorite rappers, favorite cheat meals and (way) more.
CYC’s Lydia Ermilio is a spin queen, so it’s no surprise we tapped her to lead our first-ever Ratchet Ride. Lydia’s technique tightens and tones the whole body - think: racing up hills, sprinting, and more - while incorporating weighted sectors so we really (really) feel the burn. If that ain’t ridin’ dirty, nothing is.
Name: Lydia Ermilio
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Specialty: Cycling Instructor
How did you get into teaching: I took a chance! I auditioned and the rest is history.
Rap/R&B lyric that best describes you: “Let's love ourselves and we can't fail / To make a better situation / Tomorrow, our seeds will grow / All we need is dedication” - Lauryn Hill
Top Five: Jay Z, Nas, Lauryn Hill, Pharrell Williams, Miguel, Queen Bey
Describe your training style: “Hot bitch in charge!!”
Most impactful workout move we can do at home: Squats!
What’s in your gym bag: Water, Chapstick, Frends headphones, and not going to lie, I always carry around a nail file…
Best cheat meal: Any form of Mac and Cheese please!
Your trill motto for the masses: “Do what you have to, until you can do what you want to”
- Lightning Round -
8AM or 8PM: 8PM
Drake or The Weeknd: The Weeknd
Biggie or Pac: Pac
Nas or Jay Z: CAN’T DECIDE
Go-to fitness fashion brand: NIKE
Best workout ever: Cyc! Whole Body, Whole time!
Gym or Outdoors: Outdoors if the sun allows it!
Makeup in class: yay or nay If I’m feeeelin’ it
Your fit celeb crush: TOM BRADY
Song you can’t stop listening to: Elle Eyre version of “ We don’t have to take our clothes off”
Welcome to the warm-up, a bi-monthly trillfit feature where we chop it up with our favorite fitness instructors about their teaching styles, favorite rappers, favorite cheat meals and (way) more.
Meagan Fitzgerald is our OG Pilates instructor for a reason. She’s a real hip-hop head (she worked at Power 105 for a while - check out a #TBT of her mixtape collection here) and her sequences tighten, tone, and always leave us feeling accomplished after we’ve pushed ourselves to the next level. The best part? Her instruction style is equal parts encouraging and comedic so even when our legs are burning like crazy, there’s still a smile on our faces. When she’s not leading TRILL Pilates sessions with us, she’s kicking it at Equinox and Asana Charlestown. Peep her schedule here.
Name: Meagan Fitzgerald
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
Specialty: Pilates and Barre
Rap lyric that best describes you: “For me giving up is way harder than trying” - Kanye West
Describe your training style: Motivational tough love. I am honest with my class and clients but show them so much love. Each person is at a different level and I want them to take care of their body and mind but at the same time be honest with themselves...no excuses. My goal is to motivate and empower each person in my class. I want them to walk out feeling stronger mentally and physically!
How did you get into teaching: I grew up as a dancer 1st, plus cheerleader and soccer player then became obsessed with working out. Working out for hours while eating the wrong foods led to me being chubby and unhappy with my body. After many years with a personal trainer and HIIT workouts I found Pilates and my body completely changed. I took it back to my dancing roots where I felt my best. I felt so inspired by everything I learned I needed to share it and help other people find the strength and confidence I found. My Pilates training was 500 hours (plus many hours of Barre certifications) and started teaching right away in addition to my full time job in media sales. I was super motivated to make this my full time gig so I taught every night after work plus Saturday and Sunday. Here I am a full time teacher for over a year and couldn’t be happier!
Top Five (hip-hop/r&b artists): BEYONCE, Pharrell, Kanye West, Jay Z, Missy Elliot
Most impactful workout move we can do at home: More than 1 move but I’d say the Pilates ab series of 5. When done properly this sequence is super challenging and works all ab muscles while stabilizing your “power house” and lengthening muscles.
What’s in your gym bag: Headphones, face cleansing wipes, sneakers, extra hair ties, Beautycounter Everyday Moisturizer, Aquaphor and grippy socks in case I can catch a barre class last minute.
Best cheat meal: Long...annoying answer: I really don’t like the concept of a “cheat meal” this leads to food guilt which contributes to the vicious cycle of yoyo dieting. I say eat according to your goals. BUT if I’m going to stray off my normal healthy eating I’m going for french fries or apple pie...after all, fries are potatoes which are a veggie and apples are super nutritious ;)
Your trill motto for the masses: You’re stronger than you think you are!!!
Lightning Round -
8AM or 8PM: 8PM for sure.
Drake or The Weeknd: SO tough. Drake
Biggie or Pac: Biggie
Nas or Jay Z: Jay Z
Go-to fitness fashion brand: Onzie or Beyond Yoga
Best workout ever: Pilates! Reformer or mat. Hits every muscle and is SO challenging
Gym or Outdoors: Gym/classes
Makeup in class - yay or nay: YAY but prepare to sweat it off
Your fit celeb crush: Jennifer Lopez
Song you can’t stop listening to: “WTF” Missy Elliott is currently on repeat
It’s all hands on deck here at trillfit HQ as we get ready for Sunday’s turn up... in the midst of event logistics and Thanksgiving leftovers, we’ve been streaming Erykah Badu’s new mixtape, BUT U CAINT USE MY PHONE, on & on (yes! I went for the easy pun). Recorded in Dallas, the mixtape, "makes reference to telephones and our own reliance on staying inter-connected."
Track 11, “Hello”, featuring Andre 3000 is more delicious than the leftovers of my mom’s sweet potato souffle (the pecan pie went so fast, I couldn’t even get myself a slice) - New York Magazine’s Vulture calls it a dream come true (it is). Do your future self a favor and download it immediately.
“It’s important to me / that you know you are free / cuz I never want to make you change / for me, babe....”
For the history on their relationship, peep this Fader timeline. To stay inter-connected with your trillfit fam this Sunday, $20 tickets avail until midnight! - Heather
Welcome to the warm-up, a bi-monthly trillfit feature where we chop it up with our favorite fitness instructors about their teaching styles, favorite rappers, favorite cheat meals and (way) more.
Leandrew Belnavis’s got the juice. A veteran Nike Run Club and November Project member, his new social run program #UNNAMEDRUNCREW is all about taking it to the streets for impactful cardio workouts - with the whole damn squad. Here, he drops his Top Five (major co-sign from us there), some wisdom on the importance of planks, and of course, his fitness crush. Get familar and don’t forget to grab your tickets to November’s trillfit! - Heather
Name: Leandrew Belnavis
Astrological Sign: Taurus
Specialty: Fine tuning running novices into bona-fined superstars.
How did you get into teaching: I don't see myself a teacher, more so a coach or vibe influencer. I got into running 3 years ago by a stroke of good luck (i.e. Living with two elite runners back home in Connecticut.) In the course of time living with each other, I was slowly coaxed into training with them and eventually, my first half marathon. That race ignited something in me and I've beating up the pavement ever since.
Rap lyric that best describes you: "Now the party don’t start 'til I walk in / And I usually don’t leave until the thing ends"
Top Five:
1. Biggie
2. Jay Z
3. A Tribe Called Quest
4. Kendrick Lamar
5. MF Doom
Describe your training style: Beast mode.
Most impactful workout move we can do at home: Planks on Planks on Planks. Get that core right!
What’s in your gym bag: My gym bag wasn't doing the job so I upgraded to a military grade backpack.
Water
Clif Builder's Bar (Chocolate Peanut Butter)
Phone Charger
Headphones
Portable Speaker
2 pairs of running shorts
Nike Metcon 2s
2nd set of shoes (Most likely Jordan Retros)
Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L'Homme
Dark Denim
Extra pair of socks
Ciele GoCap
Sharpies
Foam Roller
Best cheat meal: Nothing beats a grass fed burger with all the fixings and a beer.
Your trill motto for the masses: Get Busy Living!
- Lightning Round -
8AM or 8PM: 8PM
Drake or The Weeknd: Drake
Biggie or Pac: Biggie
Nas or Jay Z: Jay Z
Go-to fitness fashion brand: Nike
Best workout ever: November Project
Gym or Outdoors: .. I'm a nature boy. (Insert a Ric Flair "Whooo!" here.)
Your fit celeb crush: Do I really have to choose? It's a close call between JLo and Kelly Rowland.
Song you can’t stop listening to: "The Hood Internet - Flosstradamus x Casino x Little Dragon" My morning doesn't start until I hear this mash up.
Welcome to the warm-up, a bi-monthly trillfit feature where we chop it up with our favorite fitness instructors about their teaching styles, favorite rappers, favorite cheat meals and (way) more.
Eliza Shirazi is a cardio queen. When she's not turning it all the way up at Equinox and The Club by George Foreman III, she's hosting Kickathons for urban causes close to her heart and growing her #FEMPIRE brick by brick. Here, she sheds light on her feisty training style, drops her top five (shouts out to Chris Rock - I actually really liked that movie), and spills her fit celeb crush. - Heather
Name: Eliza Shirazi
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Specialty: Empowering women to feel badass, whether they are kickin’ it with me in the studio or kickin’ it with their friends at a bar. #FEMPIRE
How did you get into teaching? It was a total accident. I danced for years and when I got to college I took a group fitness class and ‘met’ with the group fitness manager to talk about teaching. Little did I know that I had to audition on the spot, so I made up a cardio kickboxing routine and named it Kick It By Eliza, ha!
Rap lyric that best describes you: I asked my roomie, Niki, what she thinks best describes me. She said, and I quote, “I’m not a player, I just crush a lot.”
Top Five:
Lauryn Hill
Missy Elliott
Jeremih
Pharrell
Jay Z
Describe your training style: Fierce-funky-fresh …is that a word?
Most impactful workout move we can do at home: Weightless arm series I do every Kick It class. Perfect to do at home.
What’s in your gym bag: My LIFE, ha! Between working full time at Brigham and Women’s and teaching/owning my own business, Kick It, I practically live out of a bag.
Make Up
Makeup remover
Water bottle
Head phones
Perfume
Tampons
Heels
High Wasted jeans
Blazer
New Balance sneakers
Clothes from the gym this morning
Everybody Fights hand wraps
Lots of hair spray
Hairbrush (even though there is zero chance I am brushing through my curls)
Best cheat meal: Crema grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries from Crema Café
Your trill motto for the masses: MOVE WITH PURPOSE
- Lightning Round -
8AM or 8PM: 8PM
Drake or The Weeknd: The Weekend
Biggie or Pac: Biggie
Nas or Jay Z: Jay Z
Go-to fitness fashion brand: Material Girl
Best workout ever: Kick It By Eliza … I actually believe that.
Gym or Outdoors: Gym
Makeup in class: yay or nay.. If I am teaching a crack of ass class, nah, I don’t have time, but if I am doing an event, yeah, I will glam it up a little!
Your fit celeb crush: Anna Kaiser
Song you can’t stop listening to: C O O L- DJ Sliink Remix- LE YOUTH
There are no words to describe how incredible it was to launch trillfit with Meagan Fitzgerald and Laurieann Gibson at Urbano Project in Jamaica Plain last week! From Meagan’s dynamic warm-up to Laurieann’s closing dance number, the day was filled with sweat, laughter, a group TLC sing-a-long, and of course - an incredible soundtrack by DJ Nick Bishop. Selling out two days before launch was the icing on top of the cake.
