Miami Lakes resident Nicole Alarcon has an entrepreneurial spirit. As an administrative professional working in corporate America, to co-owner of a barbershop, Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, and the owner of a mobile spa party business, Alarcon is moved by possibility and opportunity. But the one constant in her life over the last handful of years has been a deep desire to eat well, exercise and live a healthy life. This motivation and success with her health is what led her to merge her entrepreneurial talent with a passion for fitness and create her business, FitLikeMe.
FitLikeMe was launched over a year ago and has grown primarily through word of mouth. The business focused on nutrition assistance through meal planning and education for clients but has since grown with the addition of co-owner, Vivian Inza, and a partnership with the Town of Miami Lakes. As part of the partnership Alarcon is now adding bootcamp classes to her list of services which take place at Miami Lakes Park West, Tuesdays and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m.
“Nutrition and exercise go hand in hand,” said Alarcon. “You can’t have one without the other and achieve your ultimate goals. Personal training wasn’t originally part of what I offered because my business is mobile, but I saw that it was really becoming a demand when clients started asking for it, so I became certified through the Shaw Academy and started looking for parks. Even though it’s hot, people like breaking the cycle of being stuck indoors at the gym and many times newcomers find gyms intimidating so I knew I wanted to host classes at a park.”
When it came to the location, Alarcon turned to what she knew like the back of her hand, her hometown of Miami Lakes. A partnership was made and bootcamp classes that feature exercises like cardio, high intensity interval training, plyometric movements and more are now available for only $5 per class after the initial free class, a rate that’s a third of the standard pricing in most gyms for classes.
Attendees are asked to bring a towel and bottle of water while Alarcon and Inza, who alternate teaching the classes, provide equipment and lighting. All class members can join a chat room through an app that serves to foster friendship, accountability and community.
“I know what it’s like to eat healthy and wonder why nothing changes or working hard at the gym and not seeing results,” said Alarcon. “A lot of people have questions just like I did and it’s important for me to share some of the knowledge I’ve gained from experience and certifications. Out of all my business ventures, this has been the most satisfying because I’ve had clients tell me that I changed their life. It’s something that comes natural to me - self-improvement and trying to help others.”
For more information on FitLikeMe bootcamp classes or customized meal planning, follow FitLikeMe on Instagram or contact Alarcon at fitlikememiami@gmail.com or 305-300-0121.