Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Bonazzo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anthony. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved to Chicago 12 years ago. I had done a year of volunteer work in Alaska, then moved to Seattle for a girl, and that ended and I moved to Virginia where my childhood best friend lived. After two years, I decided I wanted to be in a bigger city with more opportunities. I didn’t know anyone here but I knew I wanted to become a Personal Trainer and get into comedy. So, I packed up my Jeep and a Uhaul and drove to Chicago. It’s been quite the journey! I was close to 200lbs. at one point being here so being a trainer was hard in the beginning since I didn’t “look the part” but things have changed since then, and I lost a lot of weight. I worked for Crunch Fitness when they were still in Chicago and quickly became one of the busiest trainers at their Flagship location at North and Sheffield. I went on to take a Fitness Director role at a private gym right around the time Crunch left Chicago, and I did that for a few years before deciding I wanted to run my own business privately. During this time I also got into Improv and Comedy. I completed the Beginning Improv Program at Second City, then auditioned for the Conservatory and got in. I completed that, and then also did the Music Imrpov Conservatory all while finishing the Improv Program at The Annoyance. I also worked a ton of odd jobs. I was a Tour guide at the Museum of Science and Industry, and a Night Manager at Second City. I sort of fell into stand up. I did it a few times and loved it. Then, had the opportunity early on to do a Rising Star Showcase at Zanies and me did really well. I would eventually start getting regular paid work there, and improv just sort of fell to the wayside no matter how many times I tried to stay active with it. Stand up became easier since I only needed to coordinate my schedule with the booker and not five other people. So, now, I work Part time doing Personal Training, some small group classes, and I also became a Corrective Exercise Specialist and worked in an injury rehab clinic for two years. I learned a lot and utilize what I learned with my clients now. I have a pretty even split of working in Fitness and in Comedy. I am out most nights doing either show or open mics, and try to be booked every weekend. I was recently a runner up in the Road to NYC Competition Hosted by Kenan Thompson and it was an absolute blast. I got to share the stage with SNL Cast members and it was amazing. I am excited to have been asked to perform in the Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City this year, and many exciting projects are on the horizon, and I am very thankful.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My time in Chicago has been wonderful and challenging. In 2015 I lost my Dad. It was abrupt and I was here which made it very difficult being so far away. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it, but it ignited something in me that is hard to explain. A tenacity that I will not back down until I get to where I want to go. Shortly after losing my Dad, my sister had a stroke. Everything that seemed could go wrong for our family, did go wrong. And a few months after my sisters’ stroke I was diagnosed with skin cancer. I had to go through a pretty intense surgery to have it removed and could barely move my arm for almost a month. I didn’t do any comedy, I couldn’t exercise, and it was really probably one of the darkest periods of my life. But I’ve come out of it stronger, and my comedy career is going in a very positive direction. And I met a wonderful woman who I fell in love with and has been an amazing source of support through all of it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about AB Fit – what should we know?
I am a NASM Personal Trainer and a Corrective Exercise Specialist. I also work with the elderly and work on balance and coordination. But I work with a variety of people and skill levels from anything from fat loss, weight loss, to conditioning training. I think what sets me apart is that I don’t just do cookie cutter workouts. I look at each person individually and how their body responds. I work on a complete Wellness plan. And having been overweight myself, I know what effort is required to achieve goals. I am not a cheerleader trainer who will just tell you a great job over and over. I have demands and hold people accountable. Sometimes people don’t like that because it makes them really have to be held accountable. A lot of times people like to blame the trainer for their lack of results, but it’s on them. If I give you the tools, and you choose not to utilize them, it’s not fair to blame anyone else but yourself. So, I think that’s what sets me apart. I am tough but fair, and I will hold you accountable. But beyond that what I provide is so much more than Personal Training. It is an opportunity to build a relationship. My philosophy is that if you are putting an effort in at the gym, that that can and should extend to other areas of your life too. Your other relationships. It doesn’t end at the gym. That’s why it’s so unique. There are always areas with room for improvement in your workouts, and there is a parallel with your own life too. So you don’t just seek to get a better body, but you also have the chance to become a better person. If you are open to change, and subscribing to my philosophy and training methods.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My Dad for sure. We were best friends and anything I do now is because of direct encouragement from him. My client Susan Frese as well. She passed away about a year after my Father and was monumental in my success. She was a very supportive person but also became a very dear friend. She had run a successful business and law firm and was there to guide me in the beginning stages to see me through it that I ran it efficiently. I am forever indebted to her. And obviously, all of my clients. They believe in me and have stuck with me through thick and thin over the years. I am filled with so much gratitude for them it is hard to verbalize. They are truly committed to their work, the community, their families, and are excellent role models for me in my own life and how I want to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: Comedy website: www.anthonybonazzo.com
- Phone: 773-503-8661
- Email: Bonazzo@hotmail.com
- Instagram: Comediantrainer
- Facebook: anthonybonazzo
- Twitter: @Bonazzo31
Image Credit:
Forestt S. Lafave
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