Member Spotlight(s) – De and Vince!

Story by Meredith Nelson / June 7, 2016

Vince and De enjoying the beautiful scenery on a trip to Alaska in 2015.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
De Daltorio & Vince Sonson
We really can’t recall meeting De or Vince for the first time. Unassuming, quiet, and calm, they are not ones to cause a scene or make their presence known.  However, meet them and you feel like you’ve reconnected with your dearest childhood friends.  Members at PrimeTime since June 2012, it’s almost as if they’ve been around for much longer because of the comfortable, gentle, friendly nature that both of them possess.
Neither are strangers in a gym, especially Vince. Being an ex-athlete and having trained competitively for so long, Vince gravitates towards weight-lifting as his favorite form of exercise.  He has no trouble motivating himself to go to the gym and is a self-proclaimed gym- rat!  De, on the other hand, prefers outdoor activities – she loves swimming and biking – and her favorite way to get her sweat on indoors is hip-hop dancing, but Vince is often able to encourage her to join him for a gym workout.
Indoors or outside, both De and Vince realize the importance of exercise for more than just physical health.  Along with the physical benefits of working out, they realize the mental benefits, and state that “in our professional lives we are much sharper and more productive when our bodies are active, and we have better balance overall.”
When asked about their success at staying in shape over the years, De and Vince agree that
challenging themselves to step outside their comfort zones and try new classes and workout routines helps them avoid getting into a rut.  And what goes better with a great physical routine than clean eating habits . . . they have also put an emphasis on changing their dietary regimen as well.
Both De and Vince enjoy PrimeTime Fitness because of the family vibe that they feel when working out in the gym.  According to the two of them, “the staff genuinely cares about every person that walks through the door and that permeates the membership.  It’s cool to get to know the other trainers and members and honestly care about their progress.  That is not true of most gyms.”

Coming from Pittsburgh eight years ago, De and Vince left behind a climate and lifestyle that is not conducive to being physically fit.  Although neither of them were in poor condition when they moved to Charleston, their fitness has improved every year since they’ve been here, and they credit some of that to PrimeTime.  Vince has a personal goal on his birthday each year to honestly be able to say that he is in better shape than he was the previous year.  So far he hasn’t lied!

Fitting in exercise around professional responsibilities is a priority for both De and Vince.
De is the Director of Humane Education at the Charleston Animal Society and makes appearances in the schools as “Ms. De” with their three-legged dog Louie (one of their many pets – they have one other dog and three cats).  Vince, staying in the athletic field, is the Founder and CEO of Balance Position, a company dedicated to helping student-athletes achieve and maintain optimal mental health and wellness in order to realize their full potential.  When they are not working or working out,  De and Vince love going to the beach with the dogs, cruising around the island on their bikes and golf cart, and being outside and enjoying the beautiful island in general. Vince likes to work in the garden while De enjoys reading on the breezy porch bed at home.  They are advocates for preserving, restoring and renovating historic and old houses.  Although they are not natives to the Sullivan’s Island, they agree that the transformation of Sullivan’s Island over the last 8 years has been difficult to witness … but they say “it is still a tremendous place to live for sure.”
Interesting things to know about De and Vince:
They both hail from large immediate families – “Vince has six sisters, and De has two sisters and three brothers – she is the “Jan” of her family (if you don’t know who Jan is you are too young to be reading this).”
De traveled to Sydney, AU for an adventure after graduating from Indiana University of PA, and liked it so much she decided to stay there and live.   If they hadn’t kicked her out on account of her work Visa she would probably still be there!
Vince is a member of a secret society at Yale University – you can ask him about it but he won’t tell you.
“Go Pens!  Bring home Lord Stanley.  And Go Stillers.  Always.  This house bleeds black and gold!”
Words of Wisdom from De and Vince:
“Going to the gym will always feel like a chore if you are only motivated by external factors (needing to fit into a dress, wanting to look good for a reunion, etc.).   In order to really enjoy working out on a regular basis, you have to understand and believe in the importance of physical fitness in your overall happiness, well-being, and success towards your life goals.”
Well said, guys!  Keep spreading the word and walking the talk.  We love having you both with us at PrimeTime!

I worked out with Meredith for years before she (sadly) moved away. She is creative, fun, and great at correcting your form. She can adapt to injuries you might have. She will incorporate things you like (yoga) and can work with all types of exercise equipment from machines to bands to TRX to free weights to your body weight. No two workouts are the same, which means you do not get bored and you want to keep coming back!

— Marie Louise R, Mt. Pleasant

Meredith first sought to truly understand my fitness goals and then observed my current weight-training routine.  She then helped me organize a workout plan that gave me better results, in the same amount of time.  Now I have a more balanced routine that is producing better results, in the same amount of time, with the same amount of effort. She always had my work within my comfort level and has helped me develop a more balanced program that maximizes the results.

— Rudy V, Beaufort/St. Helena

I found my happy place at home with Meredith and Primetime Fitness.  I started virtual training with Meredith at the beginning of Covid and now virtual training is part of my weekly routine.  What a joy to get a great workout and not have to leave the house! Thanks, Meredith!

— Mark P, Mt. Pleasant

I’ve been taking Meredith’s classes for a few short months and also doing some training sessions with her, and it has already made me stronger.  I love that she offers lower-impact options (for this 58-year-old) and also motivates all of us during class!

— Marie F, Beaufort/St. Helena

I was recently diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic.  I had worked out with Meredith once before, but at the time, I just wasn’t dedicated to a routine.  As soon as I was diagnosed, I shot her a quick email, and she immediately responded. We met and discussed diet and exercise; she was a wealth of information. I started working out with her and figuring out what routine spoke best to me. She helped me set up a Peloton bike and monitored my form. Hey, if this 65-year-old woman can get in shape, anyone can. I’m 15 pounds down and on the right track. Thanks, Meredith!

— Becky T, Beaufort/St. Helena