rossmoor >> Kerrie Da Vanon is building a community of sisterhood and mothers with her Happy Hour Fit Club, a Los Alamitos-based boot camp for women.
The 41-year-old Rossmoor resident knows from personal experience that physical fitness is not only good for one’s health, but also feeds the soul. Da Vanon advocates these teachings by inspiring, encouraging and supporting the women who take her class, boot-camp participants said.
Because Da Vanon apparently has found a way to inspire other women to be all they can be and turn that notion into a successful business, she is a finalist in the Business & Entrepreneur category in the Press-Telegram’s fourth annual Amazing Women Awards program. The category’s winner will be announced at a Nov. 13 dinner at the Sycamore Centre in Lakewood.
“My mind, body and soul have benefited since I started with Happy Hour Fit Club,” said Wondee Marr, who nominated Da Vanon for the honor. “I love meeting like-minded women who are truly motivating and encouraging.
“I have never enjoyed working out, (but) now I refuse to miss a day. I look forward to working out and bonding with amazing women and moms.”
Boot-camp member Heidi Dudderar said Da Vanon has accomplished more than bringing women together for fitness, fun and friendship.
“Kerrie has helped women lose hundreds of pounds, battle life-threatening illnesses and overcome physical and mental barriers,” Dudderar said. “Kerrie is a relentless cheerleader. Even when we don’t believe in ourselves, she is there, freely giving her personal time to counsel, advise, laugh or pray.”
Da Vanon said her fitness family is like her third child. She and her husband, Jeff, 39, have two children.
“We know each other, and we care about each other,” she said. “Sometimes you might not be in the mood to exercise, but you will want to come talk with your friend, and then you will exercise.”
Da Vanon launched her 2-year-old business after she and Jeff relocated three years ago from Arizona. While living in Arizona, Da Vanon was a boot-camp member.
Da Vanon said she enjoyed the fitness benefits of the class, but, as a new mother, the camp gave her a chance to socialize with other people, which she craved. The camp also had day care, so Da Vanon could bring her children.
“When you’re at home taking care of the kids, you don’t have the opportunity to interact with other adults,” Da Vanon said. “I loved doing the mommy stuff, but I needed adult interaction.”
After moving to Rossmoor, Da Vanon said she spent 12 months looking for an area boot camp similar to the one in Arizona, but couldn’t.
“The other camps were boring,” she said. “People didn’t know each other or talk to each other, and the classes weren’t a challenge.”
As a result, she took the do-it-yourself approach and formed the Happy Hour Fit Club.
“My only fear was failure,” Da Vanon said. “But I knew if I got two people to join, I could show them what I have to offer and they would tell someone, who would tell someone. I now have 60 clients.”
Even though the camp is for women only (“It’s about being a woman and being a mom. A lot of women are intimidated by men in the workout area.”), Da Vanon has some male fans.
“Kerrie has complete dedication and commitment to the women she trains and inspires on a daily basis,” said Scott Sutherland, whose wife, Rebecca, is a Happy Hour Fit Club member. “Her level of commitment also extends well past the boundaries of typical workout groups.”
Contact Phillip Zonkel at 562-714-2098.
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