Sport & Fitness Spotlight: Stefan Lessie – Chelsea Piers Fitness Trainer

SPOTLIGHT: STEFAN LESSIE:

Hello Readers,

I hope that everyone is enjoying these Spotlights featuring the top fitness, health and wellness minds based in our beautiful NYC. I have chosen to do this week’s Spotlight on my friend and fellow Chelsea Piers Fitness trainer, Stefan Lessie.

What had really caught my eye about Stefan was his empathetic and highly skilled approach to training clients. We have had many wonderful conversations about a myriad of important subjects—from the world of modern technology and medicine—to Eastern herbology and plant medicine. Yes, a Master Trainer must have a perpetually-evolving collection of fitness skills and techniques to help their clients attain their goals; a Master Trainer must also CARE about the total well-being of their clients. Stefan simultaneously is a great trainer and a great human being.

Born in Barbados and raised in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, which is a few minutes drive from my native Manhattan Beach/Brighton Beach area, Stefan began to develop a very important and necessary specialization in the fitness World: “empowering neurodivergent clients to reach their fitness milestones.” Stefan went on to create his own fitness brand, Mindcore Fitness.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Stefan is the dynamic host of the acclaimed podcast “I Choose Health.” Recognizing the intricate connection between mental and physical well-being, he curates insightful conversations with health professionals and individuals who have triumphed over adversity, fostering a community of encouragement and empowerment.

It was great to interview such a professional and important local figure…

1) What guidance can you share with young people to help them stay on track with their athletic disciplines?

It’s important for young athletes to understand that the commitment to greatness makes no room for compromises, and that commitment should be enacted early. Commitment is what creates long-lasting change. If you want to be great, you have to make a covenant of non-compromise with yourself. You have to make that agreement with yourself to say that, “I won’t make any excuses for where I am now, and I will reach where I want to be.”

2) Who is/are your sports hero(s) and what about them inspired you in your own athletic greatness?

Even though he is before my time, the great Jesse Owens continues to be an inspiration to me. The heroism it took to not only become great at a time when the world looked at black people as inferior; but also to compete at the Olympics in Germany in front of Hitler. He single-handedly dismantled the idea of the superiority and inferiority of races by displaying his greatness. 

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3) What is a quote that inspired you?

I think it was Tony Robbins that said, “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” This quote really lit a fire inside of me to keep pushing.

4) What is one of your own inspirational quotes?

“Don’t be the person that starts everything but finishes nothing.” Commitment to the goal, commitment to greatness means sticking it out to the very end. Stay in the trenches until the goal becomes your reality!

5) You’re doing great things with your brand…what is the next great thing that you wish to accomplish?

My aim is to hit at least 200 full body transformations by next year. I want people to really see what’s possible when they really stay locked in. I’m also working on making my podcast, “I Choose Health” to be the top health podcast in the next 2-3 years. 

Thank you Stefan for the wisdom, and thank you dear readers for taking the time to read this spotlight.

Wishing everyone health and happiness.

Andre Zemnovitsch  

Banner Image: Stefan Lessie. All Images Credit – Stefan Lessie