Local Voices (Miami)

Kenlie is................helping make Pilates something for the boys. Born in Arkansas with a background in dance, she started enjoying mat workouts in her warmups before ever encountering a reformer (pilates machine). She moved her senior year of high school to Florida and went to UCF, where she studied psychology, One day she saw a poster at her gym of a true pilates class, and next thing you know, she got her 500hr comprehensive certification from the internationally accredited Balance Body program. Teaching at Equinox here in Miami during COVID, she met several professional athletes open to leveraging the practice, and once the pandemic hit, she started to teach private lessons. Now a top instructor for the at home app and equipment provider, YourReformer, Kenlie is soon to open her own studio, and continues to provide expert training to her crew of professional athletes, with career elongation and injury prevention in mind. Listen in for a great discussion about the history of pilates, from a pilates purist, and don't forget to follow @KenlieReedPilates, on Instagram for a peek into the world where pilates and professional sports mix together.

Samantha is...................one of the best food bloggers in the city. Half Cuban, half Chinese, and a tad bit Jamaican, she loves studying the melting pot that is Miami. Her obsession with the art of cuisine, started with her parents who would always take her and her siblings out to restaurants on the weekends, and with her grandparents who were frequent bakers. In high school she started practicing photography, and in the summer before her freshman year at FIU, she saw a list for top 50 spots to check out in Miami, which motivated her to start her own blog. Now at 23k followers and growing, she enjoys running @BiteOfMia, with an accounting job on the side, and is focused on serving up more and more content every year, with a growing focus on recipes and cookbooks.Follow her on IG @BiteOfMia, consult her portfolio of reviews before your next dinner reservation, and don't forget to slide into her DMs for a quick thank you or partnership request.

Natalie is..............on her way to an Oscar, or at least we're all hoping. Born in Miami, growing up in Kendall, she did theatre in high school, and started acting professionally after graduating from UNC Chapel Hill with a business degree, A lover of reality and competition shows, she applied to Big Brother one year, and made a great impression, however she ultimately wasn't chosen. Fast forward a few years later, the same casting director gives her a call, for a new reality based Netflix show called Twentysomethings, and this time she applies and gets the role. After getting some limelight with that one season show and adapting to the new attention she received, Natalie is currently working on independent film work and taking classes at a film school here in Miami, studying screenwriting and film production, and soon directing as well. Always one to take initiative, she sees a lot of potential for growth in her career, and is enjoying learning about production here in Miami, and preparing for her next big role.Follow her on IG @keepitcabo, check out Episode 6 of Netflix's Twentysomethings, and listen in for a great conversation about acting fundamentals and tips for those now auditioning.

Oz is..................a fan of the lyric, "A job ain't a job, it's a damn good time." As a local beat writer studying the music scene, he gets to take a closer look at the heart of entertainment. Born in Dallas, his family from Mexico, he went to the University of Miami for Finance, then switched over to Journalism & Film when he accepted that he had always been a culture nerd, and that music was his passion. He started writing for the school's paper, Miami Hurricanes, then once he graduated, he got his start at the local paper Miami New Times, writing a concert review for Travis Scott. Now a part-time tour manager as well as part time music beat writer, Oz is enjoying learning more and more about the music scene, while also spreading more awareness of great artists. Follow him on IG @Oz.Espino, and listen in for a great discussion about the creative process, and some special house music shoutouts to up and coming acts.

Joe is..............a great example of how a weakness or personal challenge, can become a personal strength. After growing up with Tourrettes syndrome, he became especially conscious and compassionate towards others, realizing that everyone is going through something and deserves kindness. Born outside Annapolis, Maryland, he grew up playing soccer as a child, went to the state championship his senior year, and ended up playing in World Cup Qualifying matches for the USA Futsal team. During COVID, he moved to Miami and slept on the beach for a while before making connections, and promoting for local venues. He has started coaching and training other soccer players, with an emphasis on mindfulness, and is a regular at pickup games in Miami and the famous Muscle Beach on Ocean Drive.Follow him on IG @barefo0t_bandit, and listen in in for some good wellness tips & reminders.

Drew is.............bringing masculine yoga energy to Miami. Born in Boston he used to make fun of yoga, until he tried it one day and eventually got hooked, doing yoga #everydamnday for 3 years, After getting his 200hr and 500hr RYT on international retreats in Japan & Greece, he decided to move to Miami, and knowing very few people, started offering yoga in Margaret Pace Park as way of normalcy. While his classes started with just 5 or so people, now he regularly sees 100s at his Monday 7pm and Wednesday 7am classes, and has also started running monthly Manatee Island Yoga retreats, and international extended retreats with SurfYogaBeer (https://www.surfyogabeer.com/) Follow him on IG @yogadrew99, and come by one of his classes to get a strong push of encouragement. Drew is all about doing > having, trying new things, and saying yes to those little inklings to explore and take chances. Sign up for one of his retreats and get your year off to a great start, stretching your limits and growing into new projects.

Shay is...................Miami's latest Pilates star, bringing a level of consistency and professionalism that no one can deny. Born in Dallas, Texas, she went to Nova Southeastern briefly before deciding to join the Navy, serving as a master helmsman and fitness leader on the ships, getting sailors ready for their fitness readiness tests each year. Since meeting her husband, she now works in clinical research in the area of women's cancer, and also serves as an EMT. When a friend suggested that she get certified in pilates with Jungle Johanna (Thompson), she took the leap, and now finds herself leading classes almost every day, and is putting on some of the best weekend wellness events that Miami has to offer. Follow her on Instagram @sweatwithshay_ for updates on her weekly classes, and uplifting affirmations shared daily. She has a retreat coming in May 2025 in Nicaragua, so you have plenty of time to experience a Shay class, and join in on the exotic adventure, assuming you claim a spot!Shay IG >> https://www.instagram.com/sweatwithshay_/Nicaragua Retreat >> https://www.sweatwithshay.com/retreats

Troy is..................the man behind the curtain, helping create moments that transform. As Executive Director of the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, he oversees a main avenue in South Beach, and has great insight into what makes a community thrive. Born in Seattle, Washington, he was a child prodigy on the drums, majoring in Business Administration, after some timely advice, and minoring in Music, he has always sought to connect his passion and his practicality. Early in his career, he served as Vice President of the Jimmy Hendrix Estate, overseeing a major case that had a big historic impact on artist's rights. He also helped create the first state gospel choir, that reached the Billboard Top 50. After dealing with a divorce, he chose to create a new life here in South Florida, like many of us, and took up his post as avenue director after much soul searching and passing up of more lucrative opportunities. With a big heart for giving back, Troy is an inspiration to all of us here in Miami, helping us focus on what truly matters, having a great impact and rising above ourselves.Interested in collaborating on charity efforts? - Shoot a DM to @localvoices_miami on IGReady to make a donation to assist us in highlighting local role models? - Click here to donate >> https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ADR3N468FDH3GOpen to a 1 to 1 chat regarding where you might have the most fun giving back? - Book a time with me right here >> https://calendly.com/simbaleadershipcoach/30minOther business inquiries & suggestions - Email [email protected] Ali Exhibit link >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/muhammad-ali-historical-timeline-tickets-866784966167Cheers,Simba

Tito is.............as energetic as it gets. Fueled off Florida orange juice, & the drive to honor his father, he carries an electric energy into every performance, and describes them even as religious, cathartic experiences. Born in New York City, son to the King of Latin Music, Tito Puente, he was exposed to the music scene early, whether that be drums in the garage, or the opportunity to go touring with his father in the summers. He made the decision to move down to Miami 30 years ago, all by himself, and proceeded to put out his own albums, "Got Mambo", and now recently "The King & I", as will as securing his own radio show, "Con Clave with Tito Puente Jr." on Sundays. Creative in his own right, he has now launched his own hot sauce brand, which you can test out @ TitoPuenteJrHot.com. Listen in for a inspiring discussion regarding the future of music in Miami, and the fundamentals of salsa music. Follow Tito on all social channels @TitoPuenteJr, and check out some of his shows if you have the chance, he brings the electricidad.

Aimee is................a culmination of Miami's inclusive yoga community. Someone transformed from feeling unsafe, to feeling empowered. Born in New Jersey, her parents separated when she was young, and it was quite difficult, she ended up not seeing her dad for 20 years. She became super withdrawn, and when her family moved down to Miami to stay with her grandparents, it was super chaotic, and she started feeling unsafe. Then one day, her aunt invited her to a hot yoga class. After pushing through some vulnerability, she started to feel safe in her body and got addicted to yoga, doing it every day. After a little while, she started to feel unsettled again in shavasana, and went completely cold to her practice. She was brought back into it by the unconditional love found, @bodyforyoga, where she experimented with free classes, as well as the community @earthandusfarms, Finally she was drawn into the deities @synergyyoga, and opted in for her 200hr teacher training with Victoria. Super transformed, she is now leading classes at the Gale Hotel and other locations throughout the week. Catch her on Instagram @aimeelovesyoga, and if you're inspired after listening to her story, you can review a list below, of current Miami yoga teacher trainings, enlisting for this year >> Mimi Yoga >> January 29, 2024 - April 12, 2024(Wynwood) - https://mimiyoga.com/products/tt-in-personCasa Vinyasa >> September - January(Coral Gables) - https://casavinyasamiami.com/200hryogateachertrainingMiami Life Center - May 18 to June 15, 2024(Wynwood) - https://miamilifecenter.com/200hourNamaste,~Simba