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

Rebekah , appreciate you joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

When I first began coaching, I had an amazing mentor named Joe Longobordi . He was the Head Coach (and founder) of Jacksonville’s first Dragon Boat team. He taught me what it means to be a leader, how to lead by example, and how to bring the best out of athletes.

Coach Joe always pushed us hard in practices and competitions. He expected each of his paddlers to perform their best, but he always led by example. He would be the first to compete in a time trial and to complete fitness testing requirements. He made sure each athlete knew that he would never ask them to do something he wasn’t willing to do first.

I carry this particular attribute over to the current paddling clubs I run. Like Coach Joe, I lead my athletes by example. While I expect a lot out of my athletes, I am always willing to be the first one to perform a particular skill or task.

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?

Get Outdoors Fitness is a local family owned business that specializes in personal training, group fitness training, paddling race production and sports team management. We currently have two paddling clubs that all are welcome to try, both located at the Arlington Marina and offering breathtaking views of downtown Jacksonville.

I founded Get Outdoors Fitness with my husband back in 2018. I was a new mom, a newly ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and looking for a way to turn my passion for fitness into a career. I spent the next 3 years building my personal training business and continuing my education. Over that timeframe I became a CETI certified Cancer Exercise Training Specialist, an ACE certified Functional Training Specialist, and a USDBF Level 2 Certified Dragon Bot Coach.

In 2023, I expanded Get Outdoors Fitness and launched Nalu Uliuli Outrigger Club and hosted the first annual Pottsburg Distance Classic paddling race. This year, we launched the Duval Dragons Dragon Boat Club, have partnered with First Coast Dragons to launch a brand new cancer survivor dragon boat team, and hosted a brand new race – the Save Our Grasses 310 Virtual Race- benefitting the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

One of my proudest memories is watching our novice Dragon Boat Club win bronze in the premier women’s small boat division at the Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat race. Our athletes had been paddling for less than a month, and went up against some of the best teams in the region. The determination, drive, and joy of our athletes that day is something I will never forget.

Whether you are a seasoned athlete, or an individual simply wanting to jumpstart your fitness routine, Get Outdoors Fitness can help you reach your fitness goals. Off the water, we love helping our clients develop a passion for fitness. On the water, we love watching our clients fall in love with the sport of paddling.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think the ability to meet people where they are, and not where I as a trainer think they should be, is key to succeeding in this field. It’s imperative to listen to each individual’s backstory, hopes and fears, and goals before assigning them a fitness routine. By understanding who a person is and what they want to accomplish, you can create a structured routine that they will adhere to more easily.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I think the most important thing you can do to keep team morale high is to offer your team members ample opportunity to grow in the field. Whether it’s providing them the freedom to take risks, encouraging continuing education opportunities, or giving them more responsibility, it’s important to allow your team chances to progress in your professional field.

Contact Info:

• Website: HTTP://www.getoutdoorsfitness.net
• Instagram: @gofitness904
• Facebook: @G.O. Fitness
• Other: https://linktr.ee/gofitnessjax?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=8795e1bb-02e6-4fa9-a8b5-11dcf6b22d97