PEOPLE OF INTEREST
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functional approach with older clients. She has helped them
become more fit so they can keep up with their grandchildren,
be prepared for ski trips or just be in better shape for
everyday activities.
Since the pandemic, Neilen’s goal has been to maintain a
COVID-free environment at her studio. She follows Florida
Department of Health guidelines to ensure her clients are
exercising in a safe place.
“We do small here,” she points out. “Right now, we don’t
have more than four in a class. Prior to COVID, the most
would be 10 to 13 people. About 99.9 percent of my clients
wear masks.”
In addition to her work as a fitness trainer, Neilen finds
time for other interests. In 2016, she re-discovered her artistic
self. She took up painting and focuses on acrylic abstracts
and collage.
In 2019, Neilen was nominated for a Martie Award by the
Arts Foundation for Martin County that recognizes outstanding
artistic achievement. Her artwork has been exhibited at
the Court House Cultural Center in Stuart and the Lighthouse
Art Center in Tequesta. Neilen also enjoys mentoring
children at the 10th Street Recreation Center in Stuart.
“When I got into fitness and had my own place, I always
said that I wanted to give back from day one,” she says.
“That meant being more involved with the community.”
At the 10th Street program, Neilen instructs K-12 youth in
fitness classes and teaches them about preparing food and
adopting healthy eating habits.
To broaden their horizons, Neilen has inspired local
students to perform at the Lyric Theatre and has arranged
special field trips that have exposed them to the arts. Middle
school and high school students were able to see American
painter Titus Kaphar, a MacArthur Fellow, give a presentation
at Temple Beit HaYam in Stuart. When the Norton Art
People
People
Museum reopened, she coordinated a day trip that included
a tour of the museum and hands-on instruction with art.
“The Norton is such an amazing place and it’s in our
backyard,” she says. “I really wanted to take the kids, and
the City of Stuart made it happen. The Chef’s Table donated
bag lunches. The kids were so excited. I could feel where they
were coming from because as a kid, I’d been there. It was just
beautiful.”
Whether she’s working as an artist, mentoring children or
training clients, Neilen leaves an imprint that is felt in her
community. And she has no plans of slowing down.
“I do not have to work — it’s a 100 percent choice,” she
says. “I love my work and my clients. I enjoy building relationships
with them and we’re more like family. This is really
a cool place. This is like my home away from home.”
With 30 years of
experience, Neilen
trains clients so they
can achieve their
fitness goals.
ROSALIND NEILEN
Age: 67
Occupation: Owner of and
fitness trainer at Rosalind’s
Fitness Studios
Lives in: Port St. Lucie
Family: Husband, Mark Neilen;
daughters, Shalonda, 49, and
Blair, 39
Education: An associate degree
in fashion merchandising from The Arts Institute of Fort
Lauderdale
Hobbies: Painting and collage, sketch writing and improvisation.
She started a local improv group called TOAST and is
involved with BIPOC and Belvedere in Palm Beach County.
Who inspires me: “My family — my girls and my grandkids.”
Something that most people don’t know about me: “I have
two great-grandchildren.”
People