When Manny asked me to write this, I was thinking how do
I put on a sheet of paper everything Manny has done for
me, and how he has changed my life. It’s just
impossible. It was a little over two years ago, when I
was a Junior in high school, that I had started my
training. But not just training to become stronger,
because when you train with Manny, everything about you
changes. It took time for things to click, but
eventually the way I ate changed, my body transformed
into something I would have never imagined, my
confidence rose, and by all these things changing,
other parts of my life improved drastically as well.
Manny doesn’t preach about what’s wrong and right until finally you’re too sick of it to start listening. He says what he needs to, and lets you decide what to do with it. He gives you the tools to succeed, and become the person you want to. If I can pick anything Manny has said to me that has the most long term affect it would be “Don’t be a product of your society”. This has helped me in every aspect of my life, including social and health.
A little over two years ago, I was overweight and extremely
unhappy with how I looked. In fact when I was younger, I
would get picked on. I could barely run half a mile, and
almost every workout I had I would get light headed. Now,
people ask me what sport I play, and compliment me on my
figure. I did a duathlon, and my farthest run was eight
miles. I don’t feel like the out of shape kid in the bunch
anymore, and it’s because of Manny. He truly changed my life
by just being an amazing role model
Jessica Leuchter
When I was asked if I would like to write a testimonial for Manny of course I said yes, but it was not as easy as I thought it would be. Once I started to write, I realized that what Manny means to me, and to my family, is not easily put into words. Manny started working with me and training me in “the hardest years”, at least this is what my parents said, that kids go through. I was always serious about what I wanted to do with my life, and Manny knew that too. Although I know that I gave him a hard time, once he got to know me, he knew when I was not giving him a 110% and boy did Manny let me know. I will never forget that, and how he handled it.
Training with Manny was real hard sometimes, especially on the days when maybe I did not feel like giving it my best effort. He taught me that it has to come from deep within to accomplish what it is that I wanted to do, and Manny has a lot to do with where I have gotten to so far today. Manny also taught me the discipline that I would need, such as taking care of my body, staying healthy, and working real hard even on days when you feel that you can’t .Most importantly though, Manny taught me that I had to respect myself for what I wanted to accomplish and respect others.
So far, I have had many opportunities and experiences in my new career. During all the years of training, I have also been able to travel while doing what I want to do with my life, and have met many different people. Last summer, I was asked to play in the Junior Olympic Baseball team representing the USA (which took place in Cuba), and that was an experience that I will never forget and how proud I was to be there. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many other experiences like that one.
Along with
this, the day that I signed with the Atlanta Braves was a
dream come true, and I know that because of Manny’s years of
encouragement and training I am ready for anything.
Manny was, and I know will always, be there for me mentally,
spiritually and most of all as a friend.
By Daniel Elorriaga Matra
Manny,
I would like to thank you for showing me a different
approach to my strength and
endurance training, and most of
all for helping me to improve my diet. During the summer of
2003 I decided to take a chance at working with you based on
your background as a competitive athlete and a creditable
trainer and I have been very happy with that decision.
One of my biggest problems as a professional athlete was
losing weight and experiencing early fatigue during the NHL
season. Also, after several weeks of an intense game
schedule and traveling 2 to 4 times a week it was hard to
maintain peek performance all season.
After training with you, during the 2003/ 2004 season I was
able to maintain my body
weight of 208 lbs and played at
peek performance all game and for months at a time without
having to take a break. I was given the title of NHL Florida
Panther player of the year, best average game saves and
nominated for the Vezina trophy along with 2 other NHL
goalies for best goalie in the league. I enjoyed working
with you during the off season and look forward to taking my
game to the next level doing my job as a Florida Panther,
breaking new records, and becoming NHL goalie of the year.
Thank you,
Roberto Luongo / NHL Florida Panther / Goalie #1
Manny Man,
I would first like to let you know how much myself and the
other Georgia Bulldogs appreciate you leaving Florida on one
days notice for two weeks to make sure we were ready for our
NFL pro date. It was definitely a boot camp experience.
Thank you for putting up with my not so enthusiastic
attitude for two weeks of which I thought you were trying to
kill me. For sure you made us do what we had to do whether
we liked it or not. There were plans of duct tape, garbage
bags & a trip to the woods from time to time, but we weren’t
sure what the outcome might be.
Then we met again in Florida where you put me up for 10 weeks. We trained hard three times a day and rehabbed my hamstring which I injured while at training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars. At the end of those 10 weeks, as you would say mission accomplished. I lost a total of 51 lbs of body weight. Body fat melted away and the muscle just packed on week after week. I left Coral Springs in the best shape ever, doing pull ups, push ups, running 40 yard and 100 yard dashes like a wide receiver. My speed, agility and flexibility was to a level that I didn’t think was achievable for a Line man my size 6’-6” & 315 lbs of solid Big Jacks.
Most of all I
appreciate the guidance and friend ship that we have
built. This is sure to last a life time. I’m taking
off to NFL Europe to show the scouts what Big Jacks
is all about. Thanks again for all your help. See
you again soon.Alex Jackson, Georgia Bulldog Football On the road to the NFL
Hey Manny,
I don't know if you remember me, but I am Allison Shein, and I used to play for Coach Evans' basketball team with Carly Evans at Highlands Christian Academy. I just wanted to see how you were doing and how everything was going at OneToOne Fitness and if you were still doing well and staying as busy as ever.
I graduated from Union University in May 2005 after four amazing years there in school and sports (played volleyball and softball). I had a blast, and sometimes I wish I was back there playing college sports. We ended up competing for the first time ever for our school in NAIA Nationals in volleyball and got to go to the national tournament in California which was fun. I ended up graduating magna cum laude and getting into UM. I am presently in my second year at University of Miami medical school. I will be graduating with my M.D. degree in May 2009 so only 2 and a half years left!!! I will admit that since medical school I don't get to work out as much as I used to or as much as I want to since all I feel like I do is study like 24/7. But I do still work out about three times a week and try to keep up with running also. And I do still get over to Highlands about once a week to play basketball or whatever sport is going on with my sister's team. She is involved in all the sports I was and also hopes to play in college.
Life flies by! I just wanted to check in and say hi. And to thank you for all you did for the girls teams at Highlands. I learned a lot from you in regards to training as well as hard work, determination, and never letting anyone tell you that you can't do it. I was told all through high school that I would never make it in college athletics at a competitive school because I was too short for volleyball and I was not good enough to compete at that level. But I made it. And I succeeded...I even played for two years in volleyball with a girl who was the number one player on the Kenyan Olympic volleyball team!
I was an NAIA scholar athlete all four years and made the First Team Conference teams in both sports, and ended up with the second highest batting average in softball my junior year, and led the team in digs for volleyball. So it just goes to show how far hard work, determination, and a good attitude can go. And it goes to show how much one person (you) can make a difference in someone's life just be encouraging and pushing someone to do their best and be the very best that they can be. I have always worked hard, but training with you pushed me to the next level. And for that, I will always be grateful. Thanks again for your dedication and your desire to bring out the best in everyone. I miss working out with you.
Allison Shein
Manny,
I would like to thank you so much for your support over the last five years. Because of you hard work and dedication I have been able to see a remarkable difference in my speed, coordination, strength, balance and overall athletic ability. I am very thankful for the opportunity to train with you on a regular basis, because I believe it is a key element in my success as a college athlete.
When I first began training with you during my junior year of high school at Highlands Christian Academy I believe that was a turning point in my success as a basketball player. I had lifted some weights in the past, but nothing could compare or prepare me for what you had in store for us as a team. The core of our team trained with you bi-weekly and because of this we were able to go from a mediocre team my junior year, to Regional Champions my senior year. This was a large improvement and was the first Championship win in the school’s history. Also while at Highlands Christian Academy, I received 1st team All-Conference and 2nd team All-County awards.
I then decided to continue my basketball career and play at Cincinnati Christian University. So we worked hard throughout the summer lifting, running and of course trying to improve my diet. The time came for me to leave for college and when I arrived I decided to also play soccer, in an effort to be in the best possible shape for basketball. Soccer was new to me, but because I was in great shape and had a lot of speed due to my intense summer training I was thrown right in and was very successful. I even received a 2nd team All-Conference award. Then came basketball, which is my number one love. Our team was stricken by multiple injuries so the players that we did have were forced to play hard for long periods of time with little rest.
So our team got off to a rocky start, but once again I was thankful for all my previous participation which helped me through a long and difficult season. In basketball I was also named to the All-Conference team. So in a plethora of ways my hard work and guidance paid off. Unfortunately, after basketball was over I took a little break, and hen I returned home for the summer I was in for a rude awakening.
The summer included strength training three days a week, cardio six days a week, boot camp twice a week, and a little closer attention paid to my diet. None of which I find to be fun, but none the less very necessary. This is the hardest that I have ever trained and I’m thankful that you were there to push me. As the summer came to a close I had dropped about 10 pounds, put on a lot of muscle, and I was in good overall shape. I returned to Cincinnati and began soccer conditioning where I was able to excel past many of the other players. Soccer was again a success and great conditioning for basketball. I was also successful at basketball leading the team in most categories. I was once again placed on the All-Conference Team.
I returned home for the summer of 2004 and continued to train with you and to see improvement in my abilities. My endurance was tested when I returned to school and was made aware of the fact that we were short of soccer players so we had to play an entire season with not enough people. Talk about difficult… Overall it was a fun but trying season. Basketball began and this year we had a new coach, but on a whole it was very successful. I became one of the only players in the school’s history to score 1,000 career points. This was a big accomplishment because not only do most people not score 1,000 points but I did it midway during my junior year. For my career I am averaging around 15 points a game. This season also brought about my career game high when I scored 30 points. This year I was named to the All-conference team.
So throughout my career thus far I have reached and exceeded many of the goals and expectations and I would just like to once again thank you for your efforts in helping me to succeed. I have enjoyed working with you in the past and am looking forward to continuing to work with you in the future. I strongly believed that you have enhanced my ability to perform at the collegiate level and I think this can be seen in the things that I have accomplished. Thanks again, you are awesome!
Amy Azbill
Cincinnati Christian University
Dear Manny,
We just wanted to take the time to let you know that your camp has been a "life-changing" experience for my son, Ben. Your camp has stressed healthy lifestyle choices, positive attitudes, and the importance of physical activity.
Your staff, specifically, Angela and Dorron are truly amazing role models. Ben loved the structure of the days, including the variation of activities. As parents, my husband and I appreciated your reinforced themes of discipline and follow through. These themes were presented in an extremely nurturing environment.
Ben has come home and tried to independently incorporate many of the nutrition tips you have shared. You have a unique program. Keep up the good work!
Gratefully,
Jack and Lori Frost
Manny,
I just wanted to say thank you for everything that you have done for me in the last six years. You turned me from a “ Bambi” into a strong athlete. Because of your training I had the upper hand in high school. Without you I doubt I would be where I am today. Because of you I survived my freshman year of basketball. I don’t even want to think of how much worse it would have been without you to help me. You have given me a great self confidence in how I look and how I feel. Thank you for providing me with a place to come and work out hard when I come home from College. One to One Fitness is a place where I feel @ home and can still feel like an athlete even through I’m not playing b-ball anymore.
Thank you for believing in me
and everything that I do.
God Bless
Carlie Evans
It was four years ago when Sean,
my youngest of four children, got off his school bus with
his shoulders slumped, his head down; he felt sad and
defeated. Unfortunately the effects of dyslexia extend
beyond the classroom. Taunted by classmates about his
placement, Sean's self-worth took a tumble. No, I would not
allow him to feel inadequate, not for a moment. It would be
a challenge, but our faith and courage would carry us to
success. We succeed in life not despite our challenges but
because of our challenges.
Sean has come a long way. He has demonstrated academic
success beyond our expectations. Yet, until recently, he has
had reservations regarding other activities. Aware of his
shaky self-confidence in this area, I have been
exceptionally selective in helping him choose an activity or
sport. Familiar sports meant winning or losing. I did not
need for Sean to feel defeat so soon after gaining
self-esteem about school. I signed Sean up for summer camp
at One To One Fitness, a private training facility in Coral
Springs. I had a good feeling about this; my insight served
me well.
A new door opened for Sean. This program has been a great way for Sean to explore a wide variety of physical activities. He has been provided with an opportunity to master something, perhaps something he can continue with and claim as his own. Sean experienced mountain biking, ice-skating, wave-running, Pilates, kickboxing, gymnastics and more, all great stuff with great people. It works for Sean. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about meeting other kids, gaining knowledge about his physical self that will last his life-time, while at the same time enhancing his confidence. Most of all Sean is having fun.
One To One Fitness has been and
continues to be a powerful inspiration to my son. He has been captivated by a staff
of healthy role models. They are professional, certified
physical fitness trainers. I consider these individuals to
be “spirit builders” as much as they are body builders. Sean
is now empowered by affirmations such as “I can” and “I'm
good
at it.”
All children need to be
recognized in some special way. Recognition for something
well done boosts children's egos. I want our children to
gain self-respect, confidence and security in the healthiest
way. One To One has fostered this gain. As a parent I love
my children not for what they can or cannot do but for who
they are. My goals as a parent have been supported by the
truly devoted trainers and staff at One To One. My gratitude
for this is immeasurable
Manny, thank you for this opportunity to express my thoughts
on Sean's involvement with One To One. Let me know if there
is more I can do or if perhaps you need something a little
different in writing. As a mom to four kids and as a
pediatric nurse, my thoughts on kids are very strong, they
are my life. Thank you for being such a great advocate to
all kids. You are all doing a great job!
Mary Ann Flignor
Manny, this of course is a very
personal reflection, however it is what strikes out the most
to both my husband and I. I did not mention specific
activities, outings and all of your names. I hope it is
understood that Sean had the time of his life discovering
that he can "mountain bike" not just the usual "ride my bike
to school stuff," and that he now knows how to go
wave-running and ice-skating. He speaks of all of you
everyday as if you are his family. All of my kids do, so I
guess we claim you as that important. Angela did an
outstanding job with all of the kids, always cool, calm,
loving and obviously devoted to working with them. The lunch
Sean got everyday he claims was great and said we must visit
Carrie Ann at Rich's deli. Not to mention that everything he
or any of us eat at home has to be approved by Manny, his
biggest idol. Just last night I overheard Bill, my husband,
say "I don't care what Manny thinks, I'm eating it anyway."
Of course Rich is the chain of command to the other kids, so
you can only imagine the conversations and competition that
now takes place in our house. But like I said our gratitude
is beaming.
Many, many thanks, MaryAnn
To Manny, Angela and the Staff at One to One Fitness:
When Alexandra was enrolled in your kids summer program I
had no idea of the impact that it would make on her. She now
actually gets excited about exercise!! The way that the
program is structured is excellent. Not only did you keep
her active but you also gave her the knowledge to live a
healthier lifestyle. She looked forward to going to camp
everyday. That in itself is a huge testimony to the
commitment you have made and the dedication you have put
forth in providing the best summer program in town!
Thanks a lot,
Gary Baugh
Dear Manny,
You have been an inspiration to us since we have been working out with you and we each have become stronger and a lot more agile. We both travel a bit and we find it much easier to carry our bags – less of a struggle. We definitely are stronger, have gained more muscle tone and lost fat.
Thanks,
Mr. & Mrs. Gardener / Retired
Manny:
I wanted to drop you a note about how much your training and
experience has improved my life. While I trained on my own
and remained very active, your expertise has brought me
physically to another level. When I first started training,
I was 174 lbs and about 14% body fat. In 6 months, I dropped
to 164 lbs and 7 ½ % body fat. I went from a 34 inch waist
to a 30-31 inch waist. The10 lbs that I lost is not
indicative of how lean my body has become. My chest, arms,
back and legs all increased in mass, while my waist and abs
decreased.
More numbers, when we started training together I could only do 4 pull ups. Now I can do 22 and more to come. I benched 185 lbs, we maxed out the other day at 285 lbs with a goal of 300 lbs. My speed, endurance and stamina are at an all time best. My ice hockey game has benefited the most. I am faster and more agile on skates than ever before. We fine tuned my eating habits to the point that my metabolism is “humming”. I eat regularly throughout the day and occasionally splurge on a Saturday night.
Thank you,
Darren Marsh
Age 36