It’s time to get into tip-top shape, South Miami, because the inaugural Mr. and Ms. Fit South Miami will be crowned at the Fieldhouse at the BankUnited Center on Friday, Sept. 4.
Meant as a friendly, positive and inclusive community event, the contest welcomes nonprofessional local fitness enthusiasts to compete onstage in four different age brackets—18 to 25, 25 to 35, 35 to 55 and 50 and older—with all proceeds going towards creating a Ph.D. candidacy scholarship program at the University of Miami Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences.
“Research and development in kinesiology is directly related to the field of fitness, so it kind of goes hand-in-hand with what we’re trying to do,” said SoMi Fitness owner Unni Greene, who is organizing the event with partner William Del Sol. “In benefiting the school, we’re benefiting the future of individuals who, through the Ph.D. program we’re creating the scholarship for, will hopefully come up with something that will benefit everybody.”
The co-ed competition, which will be hosted by WSVN Channel 7 meteorologist and fitness aficionado Vivian Gonzalez, is being held with the participation of the community and Dr. Etiony Aldarando, associate dean for research at the UM School of Education and Human Development. Contestants will be judged in two categories—their appearance in fitness wear and evening attire—by respected personalities in the fitness community including Greene, the “Diet Diva,” National Physique Committee (NPC) bikini athlete, personal trainer and nutritionist; Pierre Vuala, International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness competitor, personal trainer and fitness model; David Morin, bodybuilder and fitness model; Magda Lopez, life coach, fitness advocate and owner of Atrevete, Inc.; Erika Boom, owner and founder of Belly-n-Kicks, Fit Mama and Boom Bicycles; and Eli Sapharti, motivational speaker, athlete and the creator of “Fat Boy, Fit Man.”
“We created this competition for people in the community who are fit but don’t necessarily want to compete at the NPC level, where you have to wear bikinis or tiny swim trunks,” she said. “A lot of people are very fit into middle age and beyond, so this is very much for regular people who make it a priority to stay healthy—moms and dads who want to show off their hard work and enjoy themselves in a healthy manner.”
Contestants are encouraged to get creative in putting together their presentation. More than anything, this event is meant to be fun. However, according to Greene, a little good-natured competition between gyms is not only welcome—it’s expected.
“A lot of gyms are competitive amongst themselves and we consider this an opportunity to get everyone together to enjoy a nice evening and make a positive impact on the community through this scholarship,” she said. “I think participants will feel really good in entering knowing they’re benefitting something that’s going further than just padding someone’s pockets.”
For more information and tickets, visit <www.MrAndMsFitMiami.com> or call 305-669-1997.
