Passion, dedication and good old fashion Southern charm is what draws people to Barre Intensity Master Trainer, Maria Scafide. A true natural in all she does, this Mississippi resident manages Barre Intensity of the South. Get to know a little more about your Barre Master Trainer.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?
Fortunately I’ve been in the “industry” for almost two decades now. I started as a young athlete ambitious and full of “energy” as my parents would say. Around my senior year in high school I noticed I had a niche for dance, rythym and flow. I played basketball early in age, went into soccer, tried out for the cheer team and made it my senior year in high-school (with no experience) and ended up on the dance team through all four years in college. While in college I spent a lot of time in the Strength Training facility and learned a lot from the staff there. And that was the stepping stone that led me to lead group fitness. I’ve been instructing group fitness since 2005 and haven’t stopped. From Dance, TurboKick, MMA Kickboxing, Cycle, Pilates, Athletic Yoga, Water Aerobics (that’s a funny story for another time) Sizzle, Body Pump and now Barre Intensity. I’ve also been a personal trainer (therapist/best friend) for the last five years!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A BARRE INTENSITY MASTER TRAINER?
I love getting to connect with people I didn’t know. Our world is so huge and being able to see more of it and meet those in it is a beautiful thing. We all come together for the same purpose! I’m a really passionate person and I love finding a connection with those I work with. Leaving a workshop I feel like I’ve made a whole new circle of friends and expanded my love for Barre Intensity and people who share in my passion.
WHATS THE ONE THING YOU'D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A BARRE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR?
Whether you’re new into the barre world or looking to add depth to your barre experience, Barre Intensity is so much fun. The flow and transitions of the class outline are easy to follow! For me personally it’s been just the “thing” I needed to change the shape of my body. It was a great feeling to be sore again and feel those muscles I’ve missed. The isolated movement just encourages you to dig a little deeper and get out of your comfort zone.
IF YOU COULD BECOME A "MASTER" AT ANOTHER TYPE OF FITNESS OR MIND BODY DISCIPLINE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would love to master the world of nutrition! From all the group fitness classes, barre classes I’ve taught and the workshops I’ve led it’s so interesting to hear how people fuel their body. We are what we eat! And I’d love to really master nutrition for those who are and aim to be athletic, stronger, leaner and more fit. It’s the most important part of our fitness journey!
WHERE DO YOU PULL YOUR FITNESS INSPIRATION?
I have people who inspire me like Chalene Johnson (creator of Turbo Kick). She initially inspired me to "become" an instructor and I still follow her to this day for inspiration BUT my clients are those who "keep" me inspired on the regular. Seeing their faces each day and knowing they (and I) all have some type of struggle (whether small or big) but they still choose to come to my class, reminds me of why I do what I do! They may be depending on me to make their struggle a bit easier or need me to give them that motivation to tackle it.