I first moved to Orlando from Australia in May 2017. As a passionate occupational therapist, personal trainer, and lover of food and anything fitness, I was sure I would be able to quickly find my niche and rebuild a network just like the one I had left behind. As soon as I arrived in Orlando, I got straight into the swing of things, connected with a church, joined not one but two gyms, and had a daily mission to seize every opportunity and make new connections wherever I went.

After four months, I was feeling deflated! Finding my “niche” proved more difficult than I initially anticipated. After a long day at work, my husband would come home and often be the only person I had conversed with all day, despite me having completed two workouts at the gym that day. Feeling homesick was an understatement! I missed that sense of belonging.

One day, I stumbled across Camp Gladiator. Advertised as one of the fastest-growing outdoor fitness companies in the nation, I had to see what all the hype was about. One more gym membership wouldn’t hurt, right? I made a few inquiries via social media and was invited to one of the Saturday “meetups” where campers (that’s what they call their members) from all over the city get together to sweat it out. I took my mat, my dumbbells and an open mind and went on my first solo mission to Camp Gladiator.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed with an enthusiastic smile and a strong high five. The workout was challenging yet fun, and the music playlist was right on point, getting me through all the push-ups, squats, rows and shoulder presses. The trainer encouraged campers by name and provided specific personalized modifications when needed (this was “personal” training). Periodically, the trainer would call out “Ceeee Geeee!” and all the campers would reply “WUT! WUT!” in perfect unison.

By the end of the 60-minute workout, I had talked to more people in one CG session than I had in the past six months. The endorphin high probably had something to do with it, but I felt so uplifted, and for that brief 60 minutes, I felt like I belonged. The added bonus was that I had burned 400+ calories in the process! Immediately, I knew I had finally found the fitness community I was looking for!

I started going to more camps around Orlando and noted that my functional strength, endurance and agility were improving by the weeks. I was quickly becoming addicted to not only the endorphin highs but also to the challenging workouts, energetic trainers, and the camper comradery and accountability.

This inspired me to become a CG Trainer with a mission to grow a community in the beautiful suburb of Lake Nona! As a personal trainer, I know that the top barriers for engaging in exercise are kids, time, accountability and convenience. CG is a company that fills the gaps for all these barriers. With 80 locations spread throughout Orlando, members are welcome to attend all locations and times. We encourage campers to bring their kids and/or spouses and enjoy some outdoor family fun as we offer times suitable for working families.

CG to the onlooker might just be a park or a parking lot where people are exercising, but to the campers it’s a space where community and lifelong relationships are built. Getting fit and healthy can be difficult alone, but with a community like CG we are BETTER TOGETHER, and we make it FUN!

As the primary trainer for CG in Lake Nona, I look forward to being a trusted resource for health, wellness and building new relationships with you. Who knows? One day, you might have your own CG Story!

Vernice Salveron CPT, Partner Trainer can be reached at (321) 947-9948 or vernicesalveron@campgladiator.com.  Like Camp Gladiator on Facebook and Follow @campGladiator on Instagram for exclusive offers, fitness tips, pictures, events, camp updates, and more! Visit the website at campGladiator.com.

Locations & Times:

• Lake Nona Family Dentistry – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 5:15 a.m.

• Spring of Life United Methodist Church – Tuesday, Thursday 5:45 p.m.
• Moss Park Elementary School – Monday, Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

“To positively impact the physical fitness and ultimately the lives of as many people as possible.” – Camp Gladiator