Q&A
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Gia Alvarez builds a business around a love of running
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WRITTEN BY CINDY SCHWEICH HANDLER | STYLING BY MINA BARANY @MINABSTYLE
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY NELSON DIAZ, NYLAGRAY PHOTOGRAPHY @NYLAGRAY
T
enafly resident Gia Alvarez
believes that running
improves health, happiness,
even a sense of community.
“You can really solve the
world’s problems on a run,” she says,
explaining why it’s her favorite way to
socialize. At Juma Fit, her workout studio
also located in Tenafly, she coaches walk-
ers, joggers and runners on treadmills; the
mother of three also runs marathons, with
14 behind her already. She spoke to us
about what running has done for her,
and what it can do for others.
I find it to be close to dance; [with] a great
song and the rhythm of your feet, it feels
like choreography. Blend in the perfect
breathing rhythm and a clean arm bounce,
and you have an art form.
HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER
THAT YOU ENJOY RUNNING?
I grew up in Southern California; we
moved to Tenafly from New York City in
2015. My husband is a Bergen County
native, and this was the natural progres-
sion for us when moving out of the city.
I honestly was 100 percent nervous about
living here; however, I was instantly
engulfed in what makes Bergen great. I
made wonderful friends, my kids are in
fabulous schools, we are surrounded by
beautiful nature and I am still able to
easily get into the city when I want.
I really love it here.
I felt Tenafly was the perfect home for
the first Juma Fit. I find Tenafly to be a
cosmopolitan, well- informed city. Its resi-
dents seek a city-level experience without
having to make the drive. I knew that
Juma could bring that.
30
2019 EDITION (201) HEALTH
FINISHER (Top) Gia finishes a half marathon. (Above)
Alvarez with her children and her husband, Victor
WAS RUNNING THE FIRST PHYSI-
CAL ACTIVITY YOU TOOK UP?
I was a dancer for 19 years! I was a
very serious ballerina, dancing with the
Royal Ballet in London, and I continued
with jazz, hip hop, dance teams and cheer-
leading through college. When I was
young, I was never able to play any other
sports because dance took up all of my
time. In the summer, I would take swim
lessons and tennis lessons, but very spo-
radically. I was never what you would
define as conventionally sporty.
When I stopped dancing, I felt a major
void and was looking for another form of
exercise. That is when I took up running.
WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER
GRADUATION?
After college, I was in fashion. First in
Los Angeles working to build new brands
like Hudson Jeans and Bebe Sport, and
then in New York City with Ralph Lauren.
Always on the business end of fashion …
HOW DID YOU COME TO COACH
CLIENTS ABOUT RUNNING?
In 2008, I was getting married and total-
ly burnt out on fashion. I decided to run
a marathon, and began training with a
charity-based run club where I made some
amazing friends and felt the community of
running. Once our marathon was over, I
was determined to keep the running
ARE YOU FROM BERGEN
COUNTY ORIGINALLY?
I was in college at the University of
Arizona in Tucson when I discovered run-
ning, [but] …. I didn’t take running too
seriously until I moved to New York City
in 2006. I joined a run club as a way of
making friends, and soon I was introduced
to the world of races, Garmins, mile times
and marathons. I loved every second of
spending my social time with other run-
ners exploring the city.