We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria Korcsmaros. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria below.

Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Over the course of your career, have you seen or experienced your field completely flip-flop or change course on something?

I’ve had a few U-turns in my career as a fitness professional. The first would be when I had kids and had to put aside my career to raise them after we moved from Toronto, Canada to the United States in 1998. My husband’s job brought us to the states and at first I wasn’t able to work due to his visa status. So we had our 3rd child. When she was a toddler I decided to go back to work part time. It was challenging juggling school for the older two, being a Cub Scout leader and supporting their various sports they were in. Not to mention household concerns, school concerns, and my husband traveling for work. As industry trends changed with new fitness formats I also certified in these formats to stay current. Then came two big moves for our family from El Paso, TX to Fort Worth, TX, and then Corona, CA in 2008. We settled down to our school, house, and my part time work routine. Over the past 20yrs I’ve also done triathlons. It’s a swim/bike/run combo of various distances. It’s my way of getting outdoors with my tri community friends and staying in shape for my fitness job. My parents instilled in me to always set a good example and have work ethics. Then came a life threatening shark attack in 2016, I prefer incident as I was in its ocean home. This was just after our youngest told us she was a he and wanted to transition. So after my recovery I got back on the horse with my business and triathlon training to rethink my whole life. I changed the name to my business to reflect a more wellness approach to fitness. I realized mental strength is probably the most important aspect of a healthy life. I had certified in yoga after my incident and started volunteering for a nonprofit called Shark Stewards. Along the way COVID hit and I went through a divorce. After 29yrs of marriage this hit me the hardest mentally & physically. Presently I am back into my fitness work, the SoCal Chair of Shark Stewards and coming back into my strength. I realize my roots are deeply entrenched in my passion to give back, to motivate my clients in their fitness & health, which in turn keeps me going. A community of positive friends & family, and having gratitude has helped me be resilient.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started my fitness business later in life, 2004, after being a stay at home Mom for about 5 yrs. Before moving to the United States I was primarily a waitress/bartender and did some secretarial work in Toronto, Canada. I decided on fitness because I had a passion for it, I had joined my first gym at 18 and started running with my Dad. It was also a way to stay in shape for my sport of triathlon and make some extra money for the family. Plus I can’t sit still and get a little bored sitting around.

I provide personal training in home and at the facilities I work. I also teach various formats of fitness classes at two facilities, presently in Corona at Trilogy Glen Ivy, and Costa Mesa at TZone OC. I’m also launching virtual classes via zoom.

I think what sets me apart from other fitness gurus is I’m skilled in multiple formats, I can modify any workout to address my clients needs. I ask a lot of questions as they first start working out to be sure they are getting what they need. I’m not afraid to share my many life experiences because it not only helps them to have resilience but also helps me appreciate and have gratitude for how far I’ve come. My clients strengthen me just as much as I hope to strengthen them. That’s the power of positivity.

I’m most proud of my kids for being there for me throughout my troubles. When I was struggling they helped me stay strong and were not afraid to share their wisdom with me. I’m proud I stuck with my passion of fitness throughout my life. It has kept me physically strong to deal with my stress and recover from my shark incident. I’m proud of my clients for sticking with me, supporting me, and sharing their wisdom as older individuals. Having gratitude has helped me more than anything to be resilient and move forward. I hope to pass that onto my clients and with my nonprofit work.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back I would choose a similar profession. By that I mean I would do personal training and fitness but also add a more specialized physical therapist approach. After all my life lessons and physical issues as I go through life I realize this is where most of us lack knowledge. Humans were meant to move. I believe when movement is compromised for whatever reason our mental strength suffers and that affects everything else we do on a daily basis.

Any advice for managing a team?

I don’t really manage a team in business as I am an Independent Contractor. But as an Instructor and Chair of a nonprofit I have learned many things. My advice would be quite simple, manage your team to embrace their strengths. Be kind in your criticism to maintain their morale. Be firm in your expectations so they know what’s needed to succeed. Praise them for a job well done and help them develop their skills, this gives them confidence to continue with high spirits. I treat them as I would want to be treated. Utilizing their strengths and helping them strengthen their weaknesses ( because we all have some) and doing my best to put ego aside. And lastly having an open door policy to ask questions and clarify.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kissedbyasharkwellness.com
• Instagram: @run4sharks
• Facebook: @MariaKorcsmaros
• Linkedin: @MariaKorcsmaros
• Twitter: @run4sharks
• Youtube: @sharkstewards
• Other: www.run4sharks.org www.sharkstewards.org

Image Credits
Harold Wolff