Upper East Side

Dear EVFers,

It has been an amazing ride here at EVF for the last 5+ years, and it’s with mixed emotion that I share some news. I never thought picking up a couple of hours here in November 2012 would’ve led me here. I want to take a second to thank Eric and Deb for believing in me and allowing me to grow and be a part of this community. They have both played a major role in helping me gain the experience and confidence I needed to take this next big step in my life.

I’ve spent 14+ years in the fitness industry, with 11 of them here on the Upper East Side. I have met some pretty amazing people along the way. The Upper East Side fitness community has been very good to me. During my time here, my life has changed quite a bit. I got engaged, married, experienced loss, and most importantly I had my daughter, all of which many of you were there to witness and be a part of in some way. These major events have put me on the road I knew wasn’t ready for but wanted to take more than 6 years ago. I am ready now. My next role will be growing a new gym close to my home into what EVF has become. It’s time for me to become more apart of the community I grew up in and the community my daughter is growing up in.

EVFers, THANK YOU for teaching me you are never too old to make a new friend. THANK YOU for allowing me to welcome you to this box, trusting me when I told you we have an incredible community and that you would be happy here. THANK YOU for always reminding why I do what I do and why I love what I do. I have welcomed many of you here, and I hope that all of you continue to welcome every new person that comes through the door. Share the secret guys. It’s places like this that make the world a happier place. Stronger together, remember that!

Leave your hard day at the door, smile, and say hello to the person in class with you. You may not know what their story is, but I bet they wouldn’t mind telling you and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind hearing yours. You never know who you will meet here … It could be your future husband/wife, best friend, or business partner! Don’t forget to work your ass off, cheer, look around you and give someone, if not everyone, a knuckle for their workout hustle! Stay humble and when you walk out dripping in sweat and cursing the stairs, forget the baggage you left at the door and get ready for a new day.

I am grateful to have been a part of this team for as long as I have and am proud of all the accomplishments we’ve had over the years. I know EVF will continue to grow and shine because of the community we have built here. It’s been an absolute pleasure, EVF. Thank you for all the smiles, tears, laughs, high fives, hugs, celebrations, competitions, and charity efforts that I have been a part of.

I hope to see as many of you as possible before I head off. (This week we’ll announce details on a going away celebration, so keep an eye out!) I will miss seeing you all on a daily basis, but, as the saying goes, this is not a goodbye, it’s a see you later.

— Julia