Suzie Trains Maui
November 6, 2008
Sarah Ruppenthal, Maui Weekly
She can help you feel fit, healthy and happy—inside and out.
She can help you feel fit, healthy and happy—inside and out. If you are thinking about going for a walk, jog, or bike ride, but find yourself reaching for the remote control instead, perhaps it is time for you to meet Suzie Cooney.
The founder of Suzie Trains Maui, Cooney is a sports model, Certified Fitness Professional and a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Sports Fitness Specialist. But don’t let her credentials intimidate you—she trains men and women of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels in her private Upcountry gym. Cooney offers a comprehensive approach to fitness training, reconditioning, rehabilitation and chronic disease management—one that extends far beyond the quest to whittle down waistlines.
As a young girl living in Sacramento, Calif., Cooney exhibited an extraordinary talent for athletics—ranging from the thrill of muddy
Suzie post Moto
motocross racing to the competitive sport of windsurfing. At the young age of 16, Cooney began to train. Since 2001, she has become a trusted mentor to many, and has changed lives simply by sharing her own passion for health, fitness and well-being
And her story will inspire you.
After she was critically injured in a riding accident in 2002, Cooney was told she may never walk again without extensive surgery. Determined to beat the odds, she embarked on a long journey to rebuild and strengthen—from the inside out. But along the way, Cooney discovered she had a natural ability to mend broken bodies and broken souls—beginning with her own. Six years later, Cooney is not only walking, but feeling better than ever. “I came back stronger than I’ve ever been,” she said. “Every morning, I wake up and want to do ten different sports.”
She said she found the will and the confidence to “come back” through sheer grit and determination, a process that she now strives to share with others.
Today, Cooney trains clients booked through her comprehensive Website, www.suzietrainsmaui.com. She prides herself by guiding clients to a healthier lifestyle. Cooney, the eternal athlete, also organizes gender and sport specific training sessions available on her Website. As a personal trainer, Cooney provides a customized formula for clients of all fitness levels, beginning with a professional consultation, cardiovascular and muscle strength goal-setting, nutrition and lifestyle evaluation and a custom program design. Her hour-long, private workout sessions are fun, challenging, and of course, exceedingly rewarding. “My clients immediately see that life feels better when you’re fit.”
From enhancing the performance of a professional athlete to assisting an individual recovering from orthopedic
surgery, Cooney said she pushes each of her clients safely to the next level. “My job is to empower people and give them the confidence to move forward,” she said. “I make sure they are smiling when they leave.” Cooney said she has recognized a startling increase of stress and anxiety in the current economic climate, particularly on Maui, where residents face a unique set of challenges. “Everywhere you turn, the topic on our minds today is the economy,” she said.
Without question, stress can take its toll both mentally and physically—from elevated blood pressure to a disinterest in life in general—and Cooney encourages her clients to acknowledge the signs and symptoms and take steps to alleviate the impacts of stress.
“Let go of what you cannot control,” she said. “We have no control of the gas prices or rising food costs…recognize what you can control.” And what we can control, she said, is a positive attitude towards physical health, fitness and better food choices.
“Fuel your body for good energy and make better food choices that don’t have to cost a fortune. Maybe it’s time to start a garden and grow your own vegetables.”
And most importantly, Cooney advises all residents to, “Get moving… not only will it make you feel good on the inside, it can make you look great on the outside!”
For those who may hesitate at the thought of hiring a personal trainer, Cooney encourages them to give it a try.
“I provide fitness training for all types of people, and they all agree that you cannot put a price tag on your health.”
For more information, contact Suzie Cooney at 808-283-2121 or visit www.suzietrainsmaui.com.
