Meet Paula Giglio, the Well-being and Group Exercise Manager of the Lake Nona Performance Club. In her role, Paula focuses on building and fostering a best-in-class membership and service experience at the Lake Nona Performance Club by delivering a variety of eclectic mind-body wellness programs, workshops, and training that meets Chopra Global and Center standards where members receive the highest quality experience in the industry.
Paula grew up on Long Island N.Y. and is the youngest of four. Paula was physically active as a child for two main reasons: (1) her mom wanted her energy out of the house and (2) her father wanted her energy out of the house. Having siblings that were involved in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, etc. lead Paula to engage in team sports as well. Paula can also attribute her love for health and fitness to her parents. She clearly remembers her mother exercising to Jane Fonda in their living room and her father playing basketball at their local church.
Paula received her B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Buffalo State College. Since then, Paula had the privilege of serving her communities as a schoolteacher across several grade levels in several states including Florida, California, Kaui, and North Carolina.Her favorite subject to teach is math, more specifically Geometry and Algebra. Yes, math! Why you ask, simply because in math there is always a definite and provable answer to every problem. After 10+ years in the classroom, Paula decided she wanted to be more involved with creating curriculum for charter schools and so, acquired her M.S. in Education Administration at UCLA.
Paula caught the fitness instructor bug early when she was a gymnastics coach at her hometown gymnastics summer camp. She even wore the hat of lacrosse and volleyball coach at several schools where she taught. Paula’s educational background proved an invaluable resource when she officially entered the fitness field as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor over 15 years ago. Through the decades, Paula looked to her own fitness to help her thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually and she wanted to help others find their path toward a healthy lifestyle.
Paula started her personal training career servicing members of a community Boxing and Fitness Center teaching breath control techniques and providing one-on-one stretching and flexibility sessions. Paula began her group fitness teaching career as a yoga and Pilates instructor teaching at community spaces, workplace fitness facilities, as well as boutique and big-box gyms. Most importantly, she was able to use yoga techniques with her students to help them with focus, anxiety, and becoming more mindful of others both in and outside the classroom.
Sharing her education with others is what Paula calls her Dharma, her true calling. Being an educator, instructor and trainer allowed Paula to take her education and skills around the globe. Paula LOVES to travel and her travels landed her to take residence in Costa Rica and Germany where yes, you guessed it she taught fitness classes.
Paula has never passed up an opportunity to learn as much as possible about physical, spiritual, and mental health and thus, acquired certifications in Aqua Fit, Body Pump, Indoor Cycling, Pilates, Senior Fit, Fitness Nutrition, and all types of Yoga. Most recently, Paula became a certified Level 1 Aromatherapist. Are you thinking what I am thinking – Does this woman sleep?!
Paula’s most recent position as Assistant Group Exercise Manager kept her busy overseeing 225+ classes, across six southern California locations, with 115+ instructors. The knowledge she acquired in this role will no doubt serve her and the LNPC family well.
Having just moved to Lake Nona, you will find Paula out exploring and meeting new friends. Paula adores the outdoors, going on long hikes, walks and bike rides, stand-up paddleboarding, and hanging out at a local park. If ever you find yourself in the Orlando area, Paula would be thrilled for you to pop into the Lake Nona Performance Center to say hello to her and the rest of the team.
