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.

Todd

I joined Equinox as a Front Desk Associate in 2013, two weeks after returning home from Basic Training with The United States Army. As my career progressed with Equinox from Front Desk Associate to MOD to Operation Manager, Assistant General Manager and now General Manager my military career has been taking place simultaneously.

While I was pulled away from the club for monthly training cycles with The California National Guard, Equinox and my senior managers always supported my absence and allowed me to fulfill my duties while supporting my service. From June 2016 to June 2017 I was deployed on active duty orders to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of Detention Operations. Equinox made my transition out of the club seamless and my return even smoother. From an employment standpoint, Equinox has always handled my military affairs with unparalleled support, including sending me care packages when I was abroad.

Even as I have transitioned out of The California National Guard and into The United States Army Reserve here in Texas and promoted to General Manager, Equinox continues to deliver and support my commitments. Equinox is the pinnacle of support in regards to military obligations. I couldn't be more thankful for the support and I feel a great sense of pride to work for such a military friendly employer.

Sean

I enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 in response to the September 11th attacks. I was stationed in San Diego, CA where I deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I served 4 years aboard the USS Ogden LPD-5 where I was in charge of running the ship’s gym, as well as being a Physical Readiness Coordinator ensuring our crew was physically ready to execute our mission. I also helped lead our ship’s Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) 12-man Team as we boarded suspected pirate and terrorist vessels in the Persian Gulf during both of my deployments.

I became a fitness professional over 20 years ago, and early in my career in the late 1990’s, I committed to a goal of becoming an Equinox trainer. Fast forward to 2008, and I joined the company as a Tier 1 Trainer in Scarsdale, NY. I was promoted to Personal Training Manager of Scarsdale 2 months later. I then was asked to open our Greenwich, CT location, and became the E Manager, Tier X Coaching Manager, and Tier X Coach in E where I served for nearly 6 years. I am now the Fitness Manager in Darien, CT where I work daily to serve, motivate, and inspire our team of high performance coaches to maximize their potential and become the best version of themselves.

I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science in 2018, and I will be graduating in December 2019 with my Master’s Degree in Exercise Science with a dual concentration in Sports Psychology and Performance Enhancement/Injury Prevention. I will be starting my doctoral studies in January 2020 as I pursue my Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc.) Degree with a concentration in Exercise Leadership and Health Promotion.

I am thankful each and everyday to be a part of our Equinox family, and work alongside the best professionals in the industry.