Hidden Gems: Meet Mayte Kubicsko of On-Brand Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mayte Kubicsko.

Mayte, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Originally from Spain, I moved to the United States in 1994 and I have worked in the hospitality industry for the last 25 years managing International Incentive and Convention Groups to the United States. But Fitness has always been my passion and 10 years ago I became a Group Fitness Instructor. While balancing my Meeting Planner responsibilities with my Group Fitness Classes was a challenging task at times, the rewards of making a real and positive difference in people’s lives through Group Fitness Classes, motivating my students to exercise and make healthier choices, providing a space to distress and seeing their progress in their healthy/fitness journey, definitely outweighed the struggles. Also, keeping up with my classes, provided me with an emotional outlet to break away from working long hours, constant deadlines and demanding clients.

After I finished teaching my class, I could truly feel my mind; body and soul become more centered and peaceful. All of the sudden, in May 2020, I lost my Meeting Planner job as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and I was in shock. For the first time in my life, I didn’t know where my next pay cheque would come from and for how long I will be unemployed. My entire professional life has been spent in operating International Groups to the United States. Unexpectedly, International Travel came to a halt, and Groups could no longer gather. To limit the spread of the coronavirus disease, countries worldwide imposed travel restrictions, and without a doubt the Travel and Tourism industry has been one of the largest casualties of the coronavirus pandemic, with job losses reaching more than 100 million in 2020.

In addition, gyms also closed down and all my Group Fitness Classes got canceled indefinitely. While being unemployed had obvious economic implications, it also presented a psychological problem for me. Without my career, how do I define myself? What is my next move? I spent a little time thinking through what I am really passionate about, what will make me happy, both personally and professionally and I decided to start On-Brand Wellness. I want to promote fitness, health and well-being in my community. One of the lessons that the Coronavirus pandemic has taught us is the need to be healthy. We all know that regular exercise is essential for everyone under normal circumstances. However, exercising is especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exercise boosts the immune system. Exercise prevents weight gain. Exercise reduces stress and anxiety. Exercise improves sleep. Exercise is especially beneficial for older adults and people with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease. Regular exercise can help to improve balance, flexibility, strength, mobility, and cardiovascular health. Plus, it can boost energy and overall well-being. On-Brand Wellness Mission Statement is to be influential in improving the lives of others by providing Corporate Wellness Programs that work, to Apartment Complexes and Corporations, for their Residents and Employees, helping them align their brand with Health, Fitness and Well-being. We are passionate about improving the mental and physical health of individuals in a fun and challenging way through group fitness.

In our classes participants get a great workout, led by certified, professional and motivational instructors. Consistent participants increase their fitness level, strength, agility and coordination and have fun in the process. We strive to offer safe and inclusive classes. We follow all CDC Guidelines. Our instructors create a place where participants can let go, lose themselves in the music and just be in the moment, doing something that will benefit not only their physical health but their mind, body and soul. The return on investment (ROI) for Apartment Complexes offering Wellness Programs through easy-to-follow Group Fitness Classes is increasing Resident’s loyalty and retention, while growing brand recognition. For Corporations as related to Employees, includes the overall health care cost-savings achieved, as well as productivity increases due to a reduction in sick days taken by employees. Group Fitness Classes create connections and lead to community. ​

There’s a bond that is created when a group struggles, sweats, fights and grinds their way through a tough workout. Also when Group Fitness Classes are conveniently available for your Residents right where they live and for your employees, where they work. You are contributing to their health and well-being by offering easy-to-follow, fun, high energy Fitness Classes. They are going to love where they live. They are going to love where they work. I am applying my organizational and meeting planner skills to make On-Brand Wellness a successful and relevant provider of health through Group Fitness Classes in the community I love and I call home, Orlando. We offer a variety of classes: Zumba, Strong Nation, Toning, Xtreme Hip-Hop Step, Yoga, Kickboxing, etc… I am working hard and my purpose is to change lives, encouraging everyone to exercise, be active and achieve their health goals while having a blast. Healthy. Fit. Happy.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When starting a business you are conscious that there will be plenty of bumps along the way, and of course, Covid-19 added an extra layer of difficulty. Starting a small business in the middle of a pandemic is hard, really hard, and scary. I had to prepare myself for a lot of disappointment. The road to success is very bumpy. In my case, it has been very hard to convince Apartment Complexes and Corporations to make the financial investment required to put the programs in place, understandably, due to the current unstable economic environment the pandemic has created. Also, we had to adapt to the new world we are living in. We embraced technology and learned to teach fun and meaningful Virtual Fitness Classes, provided only outdoor classes, be conscious of space, and mask wearing and social distancing, among other factors. In addition, companies that provide certificate of Insurance tracking solutions for the property management industry make it very hard, if not almost impossible, to get approved when you are a small business provider. But I tried not to freak out when things go downhill and I keep positive. What I learn from my experience as a meeting planner is that nothing can be perfect from start to finish. You just have on work on reducing the risks, learn from mistakes and find solutions. Success requires ambition, a strong work ethic and motivation.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about On-Brand Wellness?
On-Brand Wellness promotes fitness, health and well-being through Group Fitness Classes to Apartment Complexes, Corporations and Nursing Homes. Health is a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. We offer well-designed and organized wellness programs that work. We focus on our client’s goals and objectives, ensuring the communication are clear and the message for their brand is transmitted and recognized across their Residents and Employees, utilizing classic distribution methods as well as social media platforms. Our goal is to change lives and contribute to healthier individuals and healthier brands and corporations. Studies show that employees are more likely to be on the job and performing well when they are in optimal health. Benefits of implementing a wellness program include: Improved disease management and prevention, and a healthier workforce in general, both of which contribute to lower health care costs. Please check our website www.onbrandwellness.com and follow us in Social Media for daily inspirational wellness related tips: INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/onbrandwellness FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/onbrandwellness TWITTER www.twitter.com/brand_wellness LINKEDIN www.linkedin.com/company/onbrandwellness

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Orlando and I have seen it grow from a tourist town to an amazing community. The winter is spectacular. There is almost always sunshine. There are so much green trees and big open skies. There are so many outdoor activities. It is a very inclusive community. We are used to new people moving in and we are welcoming. The beach is not far away. We have beautiful neighborhoods. Thornton Park Wine Walk. Amazing skies. Critical Mass monthly event. Dislikes? No place is perfect. Traffic, construction, bugs and critters and hurricanes are my main dislikes.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@onbrandwellness.com
• Website: www.onbrandwellness.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/onbrandwellness
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/onbrandwellness
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/brand_wellness
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/on-brand-wellness-orlando

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