Meet Sonja Lilljeberg (42), Jeanette Wong (24), and Georgie Ariano (44) – three impressive women who make their presence known on and off the Turf. For over a year, these women have represented the heart and soul of what it means to be a female athlete, teammate and Ladykiller at Tone House. Coming from varied backgrounds, these ladies find a lot of commonalities once they hit the Turf.
PROFESSION:
Georgie Ariano: Account Director, JD Power; Group Fitness Instructor at WCMA in Denville, NJ; Founder, Owner DTRMD, LLC: NASM CPT, Personal Trainer at Independent Training Spot in NYC and home-based for certain clients
Jeanette Wong: MRI Specialist
Sonja Lilljeberg: Massage Therapist, Reiki Master & Intuitive Healer
FITNESS/ATHLETIC BACKGROUND:
GA: I’ve been a track athlete since 7th grade. Girls track team from 9-12th grade. One year college track & field, Binghamton University. Originally began as a sprinter but finished up by running Open 400M, 4×400, 4×100, 200m, triple and long jumper. A competitive cheerleader for football and basketball seasons.
JW: HS/College: basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross-country, and swimming; marathon runner for 3 years and certified personal trainer.
SL: An elite level runner in high school, elite equestrian, and internationally ranked indoor rower.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COMING TO TONE HOUSE?
GA: Since April 2017
JW: Almost died, almost cried, almost passed out, almost threw up, but survived a regular Tone House class on December 13, 2016. Been hooked ever since. We are galloping into my two-year anniversary!
SL: 1.5 years
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE TERM: “LADYKILLER”?
GA: Strong, intense, and a competitor with a little lip gloss.
JW: Ladykillers at Tone House are aggressive, competitive, high-achieving, strong, badass ladies. They fearlessly empower others to push their limits, to defy what seems to be impossible, with the best intentions in mind.
SL: To me, a Ladykiller is someone, anyone that shows up time after time to give 110% to her training, class or workout. She’s also a willing participant in bettering her fitness along with those around her. Ladykillers are the ladies in class that you want to emulate and aspire to be on your own fitness journey. They don’t always have to be the fittest lady in class, but the ones that show you what they are made of while making fitness a priority.
They don’t always have to be the fittest ladies in class, but the ones that show you what they are made of while making fitness a priority.
WHAT MAKES WOMEN STRONG ATHLETES?
GA: That’s a great question. Strong athletes, female or male, are intrinsically motivated to be better than they were yesterday and their energy & skill can have a lasting impact on a team. As natural nurturers, women have a way of supporting a team by our words but most importantly our actions and sheer willpower. Everyone wants to work when a Ladykiller is on the line.
JW: Something that female athletes often have in common is their desire to activate their limitless potential. Women have a lot of heart when they are trying to achieve their goals, intellectually, professionally, and athletically.
SL: We aren’t afraid of anything. We don’t let life slow us down, and we are always stronger than you think. Women tend to stick together and encourage each other regardless of the obstacle. Never doubt a lady that might look smaller than you in class!
FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE? WHY?
GA: Tough one. Growing up it was Flo Jo, she was fast and beautiful. As I have gotten older, it’s not any particular athlete, its traits that make athletes my favorite. They should out hustle, out practice and make their team better by playing together.
JW: Hands down, the legend himself, Michael Jordan. He was the ultimate athlete: speed demon, fierce, ruthless competitor, and always showed up ready to dominate the game.
SL: Roger Federer. He’s the pinnacle of grace, sportsmanship, and talent. I love his resurgence in the last year since taking time off. He has not let his age be an issue, something I can relate to as someone who is older than most people working out at TH.
FAVORITE TONE HOUSE CLASS:
GA: It all depends on what’s not sore on me during any given week. Typically Core Focus Day on Wednesdays and Total Body on Thursdays. Conditioning day is the ultimate and IT will be my favorite soon.
JW: I never skip Friday’s unless I’m out-of-town. I love it when the Conditioning Day program is so intensive that it runs overtime. It makes the hardest day of the week, even harder (yes, it’s possible). You walk out of that class feeling like you can conquer the world.
SL: I’m an Upper Body Focus Day gal. It was my first class at Tone House and I’ve rarely missed a day. It’s always challenging and never the same.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COACH THAT YOU ENJOY TAKING THEIR CLASS? WHY?
GA: I gravitate towards energy and it doesn’t hurt when they take the classes with us as well on some days. Too many great coaches to name a favorite 🙂
JW: Every coach is beyond incredible at Tone House. Always keeping me accountable, holding me to high standards as an athlete, pushing me to be a better athlete. But if you want to hear words from a wise man, life lessons, please take a class with Coach Shaun.
SL: Goodness this is a hard question. I don’t think I can answer this because they all bring so much to their classes. They’re all different and fabulous in their own right.
HOW HAS TONE HOUSE HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR FITNESS GOALS?
GA: Tone House has kept me mentally and physically uncomfortable, tested my endurance and strength and helped foster greater physical adaptations. I’d like to think I’m a bit faster than when I started and am more efficient in my movements.
JW: Tone House has been a tremendous factor in helping me build speed, strength, and endurance. The training program is so rigorous that it unleashes another level of ‘beast mode’ – you carry that mentality into race day, and it works.
I shaved 9 minutes and 8 seconds off my marathon PR from 2016 to 2017. Earlier this year, I ran my fastest race pace of 6:50/min per mile finishing 2nd in my age group for a 4M race. Crazy!
I shaved 9 minutes and 8 seconds off my marathon PR from 2016 to 2017.
SL: I don’t know that I had many “new” fitness goals when I started at Tone House. I was already working out regularly and in great shape. Tone House has made me stronger overall and really changed my body. I look the best I think I ever have and feel my best as well. Even with my injuries over the last year, I always come back here hoping to get back to where I was and be better. It’s definitely been a great boost for being my best!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TONE HOUSE THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER GYMS/WORKOUTS?
GA: The warm-up, the grit required to complete the workout, not to be outdone by the intensity and the support from the athletes in the class with you.
The warm-up, the grit required to complete the workout, not to be outdone by the intensity and the support from the athletes in class with you.
JW: Tone House is a very unique luxury to have in New York City. The strong team camaraderie of athletes and coaches builds a support system in-and-out of the house, that is unheard of. High fives, hugs, and cheering galore. The immense amount of energy that soars as the workout progresses, is unparalleled. During the workout, you just stay focused and give it your all until the last breakdown. Whose House?
SL: I love love love the feeling I get when I’m in the middle of a workout here. I love the team environment. I excel when I hear someone call out my name in encouragement. There’s something special about the overall workout being one of the hardest things I’ve ever attempted but I never leave feeling defeated. The community of Tone House is far and away the best and most unique dynamic I’ve ever been part of.
FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
GA: “If it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger.”
JW: “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” – Michael Jordan
SL: “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream” – CS Lewis
Interested in contributing your story to our next Meet The Team profile?
Please email devonta.white@tonehouse.com with MEET THE TEAM in the subject line to nominate yourself or a teammate.