MEET YOUR TOP 5 SUBMIT YOUR FIT 2025 WINNERS!

Congrats to our top 5 winners for their hard work and dedication. Read their incredible fitness journeys below.
 

David Lyons

Indio: Hwy 111/Jefferson St
 
I am a former Marine, gym owner, trainer, competitive bodybuilder, boxer and martial artist. I’ve trained with the best of the best—bodybuilding champions like Lou Ferrigno, Tom Terwilliger and Tony Little. I was big, strong and healthy. But I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2006 at the age of 47 after losing the feeling in my arms and legs during my workout. I entered the hospital for 5 days with paralysis from the chest down. I was told the damage to my nervous system would leave me wheelchair-bound in 6 months. I was devastated and depressed, losing all my muscle mass going from 200 lbs to 160 lbs in a year. But I realized that the only way to beat MS was to get back to what I know and that’s fitness and my faith.

I decided I would no longer listen to the negativity of the doctors who only wanted me to stop training and take meds. I refused the meds and went back into the gym. The challenges were tremendous as I could not lift or bend my left leg without help or close my left hand. I needed help in and out of equipment and straps just to be able to hold onto bars and dumbbells. The pain, numbness and inability to coordinate my body due to MS was debilitating but I pushed past it.

I’ve accomplished many things since my diagnosis but as I age, at 66 years old, MS tries to stop me daily physically and emotionally. Waking up each day not knowing if I will be able to walk or if MS will take a turn that will debilitate me again is hard to deal with. Each day has its own pain and issues but I know I have no choice but to move forward. MS in incurable and progressive and I have to constantly dig deep into my resilience to face the battle.
 
 

Stevie De Anda

Fullerton: E Chapman Ave/State College Blvd
 
My lowest point was that I couldn’t walk too far without losing my breath. Trying to tie my shoes but not being able to bend over was horrible. I was tired of being sick and tired and slowly killing myself! I was seeking change and knew it needed to be done. EōS opened its new location in Fullerton with a reasonable monthly price, so I had no excuse not to sign up and get started!

Each month has been a battle. There have been more days than I can count where I didn’t want to show up, but through prayer and faith, I kept going and embraced the process. The Fullerton location is big enough for everyone, with plenty of weights and machines for all of us to put in the work. The staff is very welcoming and makes you feel at home!

2025 is going to be a brand-new life for me because I’ve been able to lose over 100 lbs and finally do things I’ve never been able to do. Being obese held me back for too long! This isn’t a diet—it’s a lifestyle change that has truly impacted my life forever.

Shoutout to EōS for giving us this location in Fullerton and making an impact on our community! I see so many age groups at that location, and we are all putting in the work to get better! Nothing in life is going to be easy or else everyone would be doing it.  Choose your hard and don’t give up! Keep going!
 
 

Vladimira Chavez

Palm Desert: Country Club Dr
 
I was 265 lbs. I’m now 126. I was always a large kid.I started this journey 16 years ago. It took years of meal prepping and exercise to get here. I had a health scare that jump-started the journey. It took a long time and lots of trial and error to get it right.

I finally feel like I have it figured out. I had to get help from others to figure out how to do this correctly. I wasn’t always dedicated or motivated, but I kept pushing forward. I had to completely change my relationship with food and my body. I didn’t realize how much my body could do once I started pushing myself.

I wake up at 3 am to be at the gym at least five days a week. I try to go six days a week. I also learned to take care of my mental health instead of eating my emotions. I journal, meditate and read to lessen my intrusive thoughts. I had to learn that my physical health is completely tied to my mental health and well-being.

I use the sauna every day to decompress from stress. I am the woman I’ve always wanted to be. I feel better at 47 than I did at 27. I look better at 47 than I did at 27. I wish I had started the journey earlier and been more dedicated, but I have learned from all my struggles to get here today.
 
 

Alexandra Briceno

Kendall: Mills Dr
 
As a single mom of two and a PhD candidate, I’ve spent years juggling parenting, academics, and work, often putting my needs last. The stress of managing it all took a toll, and over the course of my graduate studies, I gained 100 pounds. The mental weight of feeling like I was failing myself added to the physical challenges I faced. My health spiraled, I was dealing with high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and constant brain fog, making it hard to focus on my work or enjoy time with my kids. Imagine, holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree in dietetics and nutrition, the guilt and defeat that washed over me as I saw my own health slip through my fingers.

At my lowest point, I felt completely defeated. The ambitious, energetic woman who once took on bodybuilding and Zumba® seemed like a distant memory. I was exhausted, disconnected, and struggling to see a way out of the cycle of stress and neglect. I knew I needed a change, but finding the motivation felt impossible with everything else on my plate.

That’s when I made the decision to prioritize myself and my health again. Joining EōS Fitness wasn’t just about losing weight, it was about reclaiming my confidence, energy, and strength. Fitness became my outlet, my chance to rebuild physically and emotionally. Slowly, I began to feel like myself again, and with each step forward, I grew stronger, not just in the gym but in every aspect of my life. This journey has given me the tools to show up for my kids, my work, and, most importantly, myself.
 
 

Tanya Bletsch

Lutz: SR 54/Ballantrae Blvd
 
Before starting my fitness journey with EōS Fitness, I faced overwhelming personal and professional challenges. With two children born within 21 months, I was constantly juggling their needs. One was an infant requiring constant attention, while my toddler was full of energy and curiosity. This left me mentally and physically exhausted, with little time for myself. My focus was entirely on my family, and my health and well-being took a backseat.

Balancing my career added to the pressure. As a working mother, I tried to excel at both my job and responsibilities at home, but it came at the expense of my own self-care. I struggled with sleep deprivation and had no time for proper meals, let alone exercise. My mental health began to suffer as anxiety and depression took hold. I felt guilty and inadequate, unable to keep up with the demands of both motherhood and my career. This constant stress left me feeling isolated and disconnected, even though I was surrounded by my family.

At my lowest point, I was physically drained. I noticed the toll on my body: aches from poor posture, weight gain, and an overall sluggishness. Emotionally, I felt hopeless, unsure of how to break free from this cycle. I knew I needed to make a change but couldn’t find the motivation to start.
What pushed me to take that first step wasn’t just about getting fit or losing weight—it was about reclaiming my sense of self. I realized I had to take care of myself first in order to be the best mother, partner, and employee. I needed to restore balance in my life.

Starting my fitness journey with EōS Fitness was a turning point. The gym offered me a structured environment and a community that understood my challenges. Gradually, I began carving out time for myself. There were setbacks along the way, but with each small success, my motivation grew. Over time, I felt stronger both physically and emotionally, and I learned how to balance fitness, family, and self-care.