#13 - Kristen Suraci

“BESTIMONIALS: Why BEST Fitness Is Built Different”At Best Fitness Clubs, “big-box” doesn’t mean impersonal — it means big community. Their mission is simple:The Best People. The Best Options. The Best Results.For the 2025 finale of Built Different, I sat down with four of the Best —Taylor Hill, Rachel Meachem, Ryan Taylor, and Toni Werner —long-time coaches, trainers, and leaders who’ve helped shape the culture from the inside out.They shared why they believe Best Fitness isn’t just a gym…but a community where people become their strongest, sharpest, and most confident selves.These are their Bestimonials — and this is why the Best is yet to come.

 BUILT DIFFERENT x HER STRENGTHFounder Nora Matthew fell in love with strength training during her college athletics career — but her real transformation began when she became a mom.Expecting her first son in 2012, she realized how little guidance existed around safe, effective strength training during pregnancy and postpartum. That discovery sparked a mission — and soon after, Pregna-Fit was born: a signature program empowering women to stay strong through every season of motherhood.What began as a small prenatal community grew into Her Strength Studio, which Nora opened in 2018 — a space built by women, for women. Five years later, it expanded into a larger home in the heart of Latham, where it continues to inspire connection, confidence, and courage.In this episode, we talk about faith, family, and the power of purpose — including Nora’s made-for-Hallmark love story of how she met her husband and built both a business and a beautiful family of five boys.Because real strength isn’t just physical — it’s spiritual, emotional, and generational.

🎥 BUILT DIFFERENT: Dancing With the Stars – The Anchorman & The Anchorwoman Edition 💃🕺I’m joined by two of my co-stars lighting up both the newsroom and the dance floor — Casey Bortnick, Anchor for Spectrum News, and Giuliana Bruno, Anchor for News10 ABC.In this special Capital Region Dancing With The Stars episode, we dive deep into:🗞️ Their careers in journalism — what drives their storytelling and why local media still matters.💪 Their fitness journeys and how the Orangetheory Fitness community has helped them stay grounded, connected, and strong.❤️ The why behind their performances — the causes closest to their hearts: • Giuliana is dancing in honor of her brother Anthony, raising funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. • Casey is honoring his dog Remington (Remi) by supporting Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization that provides guide dogs to those with vision loss.We talk life, struggle, laughter, and the power of movement — on stage, in the gym, and in the community.

Founded in 2018 by Jess Fuller and Annie Berdar, BARE Blends began as a movement toward healthier living and environmental sustainability — rooted in whole, plant-based ingredients with no added sugars, flavor enhancers, or artificial additives.What started as one small shop in Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, NY, has grown into a brand with locations in multiple states and a loyal following of people who care about what they put into their bodies and the planet we share.In this episode, I sit down with Jess and Annie to reflect on their seven-year journey — the lessons learned, the mindset behind building a mission-driven business, and the community they’ve cultivated along the way.Jess also shares her deeply personal story of fighting breast cancer, opening up about how that experience reshaped her priorities around health, family, and entrepreneurship.This conversation is about more than smoothies — it’s about resilience, purpose, and building a life and brand that’s truly Bare at its best.🎙️ Listen now on Built Different — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Michael Kurkowski hosts The Strength Connection Podcast and Inspire Saratoga, where he brings together some of the most insightful minds in fitness, business, and personal development. We connected through the 518 Kettlebell Club and sat down for a Built Different conversation about what it means to grow into the best version of yourself—with strength as the starting point.Stay tuned. This one’s for the storytellers, the seekers, and the strong.

On this episode of BUILT DIFFERENT, I sit down with Elaina Sainato Renda (@elainamarie23) to explore a journey that spans from her family’s corner grocery store in Albany to New York City’s wellness world—and back home again. ✨Elaina’s story is one of true transformation. After overcoming her own battles with obesity, panic disorder, and chronic health challenges, she came home to build The Outlet (@pluginto.theoutlet)—a modern platform where wellness meets connection, and people can move forward together. 💫Between the two of us, we’ve lost over 350 pounds and gained strength in every area of life. In this conversation, we cover:The lessons from her personal health journeyBuilding The Outlet as a new model for wellness and communityHer experience with @capitalregiondwtsWhy @cristiano is the fantastical love of her lifeAnd how transformation goes beyond the physical, shaping every part of lifeIf you’re looking for real stories of growth, grit, and community-driven change, this episode is for you. 🔑👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more BUILT DIFFERENT conversations.

Sofia Gray is a NASM-certified trainer and senior sociology major at Union College who’s turning passion into purpose—leading strength classes, coaching peers, and helping build a healthier campus culture. We sat down to talk about what fitness means to her, and how she’s inspiring men and women alike to fall in love with finding their own strength.  #BuiltDifferent

From fitness instructor to full-blown founder, Sophia Filuta is a walking reminder that confidence is built not bought. In Part 1 of our Season 1 finale, I sat down with the creator of So Phit Fitness to talk about starting a business in your 20s, building a brand rooted in authenticity, and turning your daily life into content that moves people. From Capital Region cardio classes to curated content and cross country adventures-Sophia is as real and fun as it gets. Want the blueprint for building a life that's So Phit? Tune in now.

Bridging the words of fitness and skincare to help you look and feel your best-inside and out. As a licensed esthetician at Ehden Aesthetics and a team member at Hot Worx Latham, MacKenzie Shutts is passionate about using her own health & fitness journey to empower clients to take control of their wellness through education, consistency, and community.From infrared training sessions to medical-grade skincare plans, MacKenzie believes self-care should be intentional, personalized, and rooted in confidence. Whether you're showing up for your skin or showing up to sweat, MacKenzie is ready to help guide your way.

Through her vibrant Instagram page Saucy Suraci, Kristen Suraci has cultivated a devoted following of foodies, cocktail and mocktail lovers, and Upstate New York adventure-seekers. A proud Guilderland native, Kristen is deeply passionate about spotlighting the local businesses and the unique entrepreneurial spirit that sets the Capital Region apart from the rest of the country.We sat down for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from her practical approach to fitness—which gives her the gastronomic freedom to savor all kinds of sustenance and libations—to her love for all things local.