Name
Cindy Zolkowski
Hometown
Allen Park
Age
62
Occupation
Director, Administrative Services & Finance, Michigan Public Transit Association
What are your interests, hobbies, and talents outside of SOF?
Golf, travel, concerts/theater, reading
What is one of your favorite books/series?
2 of my favorites are The Poisonwood Bible and Angela’s Ashes.
Currently, I have been reading fiction-based-on-fact novels about women in WWI and WWII.
What was your favorite concert ever attended?
This is hard because I have been to so many. I’ll give you 3 (and remember, I am old): The Eagles, Pine Knob 1975, Paul Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints tour 1990, Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life tour, 2016 or 17.
Who’s in your main posse outside of SOF?
Husband, 3 children, mom and 3 siblings, a childhood friend and her husband who we travel with, and of course Denise and Rita (and our other friend Sharon who hasn’t seen 5:30 am in decades).
What days/times are you normally at SOF?
M-W-F 5:30 am, Saturday 7:00 am
Tell us about your sports and fitness background.
I was a tomboy as a child, always playing baseball with the neighborhood boys. Wasn’t involved in organized sports other than rec teams. Did the usual Jane Fonda tapes and Jazzercize/Aerobics when my kids were young. Played rec soccer as an adult until the opponents got too young and the fear of injury became too real. Love to golf, but not very well. Dabbled in running for a few years as well.
When did you start at SOF? How did you first get exposed to SOF? How did your first couple of workouts go?
Rita, Denice and I joined in the fall of 2010 after searching for something more challenging than Curves. Denice and I were also doing yoga. At the time, SOF offered both yoga and Pilates as part of their membership. We still laugh about our first conditioning session with Rebecca. She scared the heck out of us and we were sore for days.
What is your favorite and least favorite movement/workout?
A favorite is anything with weights or kettlebells. My least favorite is pushups.
What impact has SOF had on your life?
SOF has had an incredibly positive impact on my life. I am in the best shape of my life and have a much better understanding of nutrition. Through strength training, I have improved my bone density. Our motto is aging successfully.
Do you have a favorite SOF moment?
Maybe not a favorite, but memorable. One morning after a big snowstorm I was the only person to show up for the 5:30 conditioning class led by Kyle Schoenmaker. Nothing like having Kyle and 3 interns with their sole focus on me! I wish I had a Myzone belt back then to see how many calories I burned as I nearly threw up!
What is your advice for people just getting started or thinking about starting SOF?
Don’t be intimidated! The SOF staff is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming. They make accommodations for injuries and never make you feel less valuable because you can’t do what others can. I have met so many great people at SOF who I now consider friends. Also, no one is watching or judging you. We are all concentrating on our own effort trying to get through the class.
