RANDALL

Shortly after Marine Combat Training, I went to school to become a Cyber Network Systems Engineer at the Marine Air-Ground Task Force base in 29 Palms, CA. I was primarily stationed in Camp Pendleton and spent time overseas in Port Elizabeth, South Africa to take part in a humanitarian effort to support Operation Shared Accord. During my time in Port Elizabeth, we joined forces with the South African Defense Military and setup medical campsites for civilians where healthcare was not readily available.

To be honest, after having served in the United States Marine Corps, I wasn’t sure if I would ever find my niche in the civilian sector. Meeting Equinox was serendipitous because there are a plethora of traits that Equinox shares with the military – I’m happy to share a few. Equinox employees and members of our armed forces share the notion of “unit cohesion” commonly known as a “united front” where everyone’s participation with one another is necessary to uphold our brand. Another parallel trait is “mission accomplishment” where we will do whatever it takes to get the job done while meeting and exceeding expectations. My favorite, however, is that everyone at Equinox strives to be a better version of themselves.

There are times here that I feel like I am at full throttle for days or even weeks at a time. Then I look to my left and to my right and see that my peers are working with the same ferocity. Much like my time in the Corps, I am comforted to know that I am not alone in this battle; that my colleagues are fighting just as hard to maintain and be a part of the elite Equinox brand. I started at Equinox as an IT Help Desk and Field Operations Engineer; I have since taken on the role of West Coast IT Support Lead. I feel fortunate to say that I have, undoubtedly, found and grown in my niche.

CARLOS

I entered the Marine Corps in July 2006. I began my career as a Field Radio Operator at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville NC. While there I was deployed three different times. While deployed my unit was involved in a multitude of missions ranging from training cycles with foreign countries to humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh and Haiti. After 4 years, I was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, CA. After a couple of years there I was sent to Recruiters school and stationed in Lancaster, CA for the next 3 years. I left the Marine Corps in November 2015.

Upon leaving the Marine Corps I started attending College of the Canyons. I was afforded an opportunity to become a personal trainer through a non-profit organization for Veterans called FitOps. After attending the first class and getting certified I found my way to Equinox Encino. I started working here in February and immediately fell in love with my job and place of work. The team atmosphere and willingness to help others learn brought back a sense of camaraderie that I thought I had lost. Having the chance to come into work and help others create themselves into what they want to be is amazing. Physical fitness and leadership are qualities I learned from my experience in serving our country, and I am proud to carry these by serving our members at Equinox.

JORGE

Emigrated to the US from Colombia in 1988. Enlisted in 2001 to the Army Reserve. Did a tour of Iraq in 2004 with Operation Iraqi Freedom 2. First generation in the United States but my family is already a military family, with my older brother currently an E-8 First Sergeant and his wife an E-7 Sergeant First Class. I reached the rank E-5 Sergeant. I got hired by Equinox in October of 2006 as a Tier 1 trainer and became a manager in February 2011 having worked in 5 different locations in that time, 63rd, 43rd, 44th, 33rd, and 74th streets.

The Army values were engrained in me during basic training and are the guiding lights in my decision making process, Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. My aim as a manager is to confront every interaction while upholding these values. Believing that competence will always be my watchword has put me on a path to be the best version of myself I can be, as well as leading from the front to ensure my team is doing the same.

BEN

I entered the ARMY in May of 2002 and attended Military Police Officer School. I started my career as a Platoon Leader in South Korea. After a year overseas, I transferred to Colorado Springs in 2004. I immediately deployed to Iraq and was placed as a Platoon Leader in Baghdad. While in Iraq my Platoon was involved in a multitude of missions including the support of Operation Iron Fury, the largest coordinated attack of the war. After returning home I left the ARMY at the end of 2006 as a Captain.

My passion for fitness and leadership finally found it's home within the walls of Equinox in 2008. I began as a Manager in Training in Newport Beach, and shortly after I was fortunate enough to receive an opportunity to manage the Westwood location. After three years as the Personal Training Manager, I was privileged to lead the Palos Verdes location for three years followed by Marina Del Rey for two years thereafter. Last year, I was promoted to the Regional Personal Training Manager and currently oversee six clubs in the Los Angeles Market. Physical fitness, management and leadership are all qualities I learned from my experience in serving our country, and I am proud to carry these by serving our members at Equinox.

MARK

I enlisted into the US Army in 1988 and after Basic Training, served in the 2nd Battalion, of the 22nd (“Triple Deuce”) Infantry Regiment 10th Mountain Division, as a Heavy Anti-Tank, Anti-Armor Weapons Infantryman. Our primary responsibility was the deployment and use of the T.O.W. Missile system. During the first Gulf War, we were trained in the use of the T.O.W. on the Bradly Fighting vehicle and placed in reserve during that conflict. My military ambitions eventually shifted toward Army Aviation at the end of my tour. However, after passing the Army Flight Aptitude Selection Test at Ft. Drum and some soul-searching, I made the decision to leave the service to pursue a career in Information Technology, and to pursue General Aviation as a hobby.

Throughout my time in the Army, the one thing that resonates with me is the importance of “Team before Self”. This has been the foundation for both my personal and professional lives, and the driving force behind my choosing the Service & Support sector of IT. The military goes to great lengths to indoctrinate its Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to understand and adopt the concept of team accomplishment, regardless of size, and to always learn from both success and failure as a group. That basic concept is what helps us maintain a cohesive unit at the Helpdesk, and allows us to best leverage the support of the other IT Teams, to provide the best customer experience for our Equinox colleagues.

My old unit’s motto was “Deeds, not Words”…..a mantra that I follow to this day and which I express to all who I have the privilege to influence, the importance of actions over statements.