Meet Mariam Sufi, July’s Instructor of the Month at MINT! Mariam describes herself as an energized and enthusiastic person. You can find Mariam teaching Zumba and belly dance cardio.

Mariam’s fitness journey began when she was really young starting with dance classes at the age of 4. She has always been active in some way shape or form, even playing basketball while also being part of the dance conservatory in high school. Staying active became more than a hobby for Mariam while she was in college. Setting up a discipline to hold herself accountable to every day, whether it was to take a dance class, yoga class, or go for a run, was important for her. It helped her feel more energized and less stressed, and it was a constant every day. Doing this helped remind her how important it is to take an hour or two out of the day to recharge and “do you”.

Mariam has been taking belly dance classes almost every day since she was 11 years old. It was her form of expression and the style of dance that she felt the most connected to. It helped her figure out who she was and wanted to be, and it really helped her own her body the way it was. Her own journey is what led her to want to share with others and help them find the power within themselves to love the skin they’re in.

Mariam believes that fitness starts from within. If you do not trust yourself and your intentions, you will never be able to enjoy the journey. In her 15+ years of experience, she has seen and heard some pretty inspiring stories. Every single day she has an opportunity to help someone, and it is rewarding and motivating. She loves it!

Outside of teaching, she loves spending time with her 5-month-old puppy, Magic, as well as her husband, Kamran. You can typically find them on long walks, at Union Market or whipping up new and healthy meals in the kitchen.

Learn more about MINT and all of our classes and instructors online today, www.mintgymdc.com

Meet Myke Nicholson, June’s Instructor of the Month at MINT! Myke describes himself as goofy, focused and friendly. You can find Myke teaching Power Playground, MINT FLEX, or MINTBox at our 14^th Street Studio.

Since childhood, Myke has enjoyed an active lifestyle whether it was live-action Dragonball Z demonstrations with his cousins, pickup basketball games with his neighborhood friends or any sporting activity he could get involved in at school. However, he didn’t take fitness seriously until high school when it became an escape from bullying for him. The bullying Myke endured led him to become suicidal, depressed and passive-aggressive. He then began working out and “fighting” against the weights in the gym became his escape, his way out from the bullying. He transitioned from “Nicholson” into “MuscleHead Myke” and the bullying stopped doing once his peers saw his work ethic in both school and the gym. This led him to find a new sense of self-respect.

When asked what his favorite part of teaching was he responded with “…well teaching!” He enjoys designing workouts that challenge members both mentally and physically almost as much as he enjoys working with them through it. Coaching others to improving their health is rewarding, not because it makes him feel better but because he enjoys making others smile and feel stronger and sexier in their skin.

When he’s not at MINT or training, you can find him spending time with his wife, 8-year-old son and soon-to-be-born son at home. He’s all about balancing his high-energy times with more peaceful times.

Learn more about MINT and all of our classes and instructors online today, www.mintgymdc.com