Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joanna Bonilla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joanna , appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

At the time I became paralyzed, everything in my life seemed to be falling into place. I was thriving in my career, making real strides, and feeling proud of the success I had built. But then, an illness struck and escalated so quickly that it turned my world upside down. Suddenly, I found myself paralyzed—something I never could have anticipated. At that moment, I felt completely lost and confused, unsure of what the future held or how to move forward from such a life-altering change.I was very blessed to discover an adaptive gym called Adaptive Fitness Gym during a time when I needed it most. There, I met my trainer, Devon Palermo, who never judged me and always treated me like a person—not defined by my disability, but simply as someone showing up to work hard. Slowly, my passion for exercise began to return, and I fell in love with movement all over again. I wanted others to feel that same joy and empowerment, but I also understood that not everyone has access to personal trainers. Devon had always dreamed of giving back to the community by offering free, accessible fitness opportunities. Over the years, our conversations about this dream became more serious, and eventually, we decided to start a nonprofit. Little did I know, taking on that mission would change my life in every single way it needed to change.

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’ve always been a shy person—quiet until you really get to know me. Most of the time, you’ll find me in the corner of a room just observing, taking everything in. But one of my favorite things about myself is that I thrive in chaos. I love taking on challenges that seem impossible or that others assume I can’t handle. So even though I had never been involved with a nonprofit before, I was all in when the opportunity came. That leap of faith led to the creation of Adaptive Fitness Legion, a nonprofit with a mission of empowering all abilities through adaptive fitness education and training. What started as an idea fueled by passion has turned into a movement that continues to grow—and push boundaries—just like I’ve always loved to do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience is a vital part of the disabled community—it’s what keeps us moving forward, even when the world doesn’t always understand or support us. One moment that really stands out to me was in the early stages of building Adaptive Fitness Legion. Someone had shared that they didn’t see anything unique or special about what we were creating. It was the first time I had received feedback like that, and while it stung, it didn’t break me. Instead, it lit a fire inside me. That moment became a turning point—I was more determined than ever to prove that AFL wasn’t just another idea, but a powerful, necessary force built to make real change. That’s the kind of resilience I believe in—letting doubt fuel determination.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Telling Devon Palermo that it would be an honor to serve as president of Adaptive Fitness Legion is a decision I would make again and again without hesitation. Saying yes to that role wasn’t just about taking on a title—it was about stepping into something that has transformed my life both personally and professionally. AFL has given me purpose, direction, and a community I didn’t even know I was missing. Being part of this mission has filled a space in my life I never realized was empty, and I’m deeply grateful for the people, the impact, and the growth that have come from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adaptivefitnesslegion.org
• Instagram: Joanna_real_deal
• Linkedin: Joanna Bonilla