Maribel Torres and Jamie Dreyer

I think it is an encouraging sign to see more of a focus on not just ‘health’, but also on ‘fitness’ in our society. Obviously, being free of disease impacts our physical and mental state, but developing the ability to accomplish physical tasks which you may not have been able to have done before, has a direct effect on one’s self-confidence and sense of accomplishment. Whether it is through yoga, dance, martial arts, running, fitness training other physical activities, those accomplishments can be helpful to offset the depression and anxiety that many of us experience from time to time. Meet this week’s Doers and Dreamers who have found their way to our community and enabling more people to get into the business of fitness by using a model that is unique to this area.

Your name: Maribel Torres and Jamie Dreyer

Business or organization: The Trainer’s Den, 38 Old Sawkill Road, Kingston NY 12401

Occupation: Independent Personal Trainers

What is your approach to your business or occupation that makes you unique?
We’ve flipped the typical personal training model on it’s head. Instead of the big box gym keeping most of the fee, at The Trainer’s Den, the trainer will keep most of it. We believe that when you commit your time, energy and money towards a personal training career, you deserve to be compensated as such. In other words, the Independent Personal Trainer is our customer, not our employee. We’ll provide them with a high-end training facility, in-house continuing education for professional development, and a supportive community of fitness professionals to stay connected with. They can consider The Trainer’s Den their central place of business.

This’ll allow independent trainers to focus on their business and keep the majority of their revenue without traveling from client to client, worrying about expensive overhead or feeling isolated from the rest of the training community.

“Our business is to help their business succeed!”

And we believe the clients end up with better sessions too, because their trainer no longer needs to work 12 hour days, 6 days a week to make ends meet. All humans are better at their work when paying for food and shelter is no longer a concern.

Where are you from originally?
Maribel: I grew up in Yonkers and lived in Long Island for 20 years before finally discovering Kingston

Jamie: I’m from Bohemia, a small town in Suffolk County Long Island.

What brought you to the Kingston area and keeps you in this area?
Maribel: The people – we’ve made so many friends and connections since moving here. People are friendly and open to having someone new come into their lives. And, let’s not forget the mountain views. Even the parking lots on 9W have incredible views during the sunset!

Jamie: The community! I’ve never lived anywhere else that had so many accessible ways to connect and build community. Pretty much any day of the year you can look on Kingston Happenings or The Book of Faces and find something fun and interesting to do…usually for under $20, and often for free.

What is your favorite hangout in this area and why?
Maribel: When Jamie & I first moved here, The Rondout area was my favorite. I love that you are by the water, you can see the mountains in the distance, there are great restaurants & shops. We’ve made a lot of friends hanging out down there. I love it when we play cards or dominoes and end up with a group of people that we know or maybe just met. Now that we have lived here for 2 years and explored every inch of the city, depending on what mood I am in, every part is my favorite.

Jamie: Tough question…it depends on my mood. I love taking a walk and relaxing by the Rondout waterfront. Happy hour is always at Ole Savannah (we got married here), what a bargain! Grab a seat at the bar and ask for a FREE appetizer. For a cozy lunch with my wife it’s always Sissy’s Cafe because I can get an amazing sandwich on gluten free bread that is so good I always question if it’s really gluten free. If I want to get out of my office for a working lunch, I’ll bring my laptop to Outdated Cafe for the huevos rancheros. Rock ‘n Roll, beer and a burger? It’s gotta be The Anchor! No matter where I am the service is great, the food delicious and the crowd welcoming. I love this city!

When you’re not in Kingston, what’s your idea of a wonderful city to visit, and why?
We both love old cities with storied histories and interesting architecture. We love to wander, explore, eat and make friends. What’s funny is that in our 9 years as a couple, we’ve been so busy with multiple businesses, several moves and assorted projects, we haven’t had the chance to do much traveling together. But we just got married December 3rd and are planning a honeymoon in the Mediterranean for August.

Tell us something that we never would have guessed about you.
Maribel: I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks to the point where I made up excuses not to leave my “safe little zone”. Let me tell you, that safe zone was pretty small. I wouldn’t drive on the highway, and just the thought of getting on a plane would trigger a panic attack. I was really good at hiding it too. Not many people knew the inner torture I was experiencing. But, ever since I started getting stronger in the gym, my anxieties and panic attacks subsided to the point where I changed careers, opened a business, and picked up and moved to a city (Kingston) that I only came to for lunch one day!

Jamie: If you’ve seen me out and about Kingston the past few years you’d probably never have guessed that I’m really an introvert and kinda sucked at developing new friendships until my mid-thirties. As much as I wanted to be a part of the fun socially, I was too shy, insecure and lacked valuable social skills. Fortunately, skills can be learned, insecurities can be conquered and shyness can be pushed through. I can’t believe how good my life feels now!