Former fashion model tries on a new career - Ct Post

Danbury resident Sami Torrealba may be only 27, but he's already establishing himself in a second successful career. Torrealba recently opened his own business --Fitness by Sami -- in Ridgefield. Yet just a few years ago, he was making his living as an international runway and fitness model.

Torrealba, who was born in Venezuela, has walked the runways for well-known Puerto Rican fashion designers Pipo Perez and Christopher Baez. He represented the U.S. in "Mr. Handsome," a modeling competition in the Dominican Republic, where he was awarded Best Body and Most Photogenic. He modeled formalwear at bridal shows, walked the runways shirtless for FJ Jeans and had his hair cut onstage at a convention center for Rusk hair products.

Torrealba's modeling career didn't get off to a smooth start, however. "In 2006, when I lived in Florida, I went with my sister Alexis to a photo shoot at AJ Photography to see if I had what it takes to be a model. When the owner, AJ Gonzalez, first saw me, he told me I had no definition. He said I wasn't lean enough, and he couldn't use me as a model."

Although disappointed, rather than walking away, Torrealba took the photographer's words as a challenge. "I immediately changed my diet and created my own eating plan, which was focused on regulating my carb intake. Also, I began doing circuit training, which gave me a cardiovascular workout," said Torrealba, who is 5-foot 9-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.

When he returned to AJ Photography two months later and 10 pounds lighter, Gonzalez was impressed and hired him as his assistant -- and Torrealba's modeling career quickly flourished.

"Sami looks perfect in any pose or position," said Gonzalez. "For most models, I have to use Photoshop to fix different body parts, but with Sami, I never had to do that."

Despite Torrealba's success as a model, he decided to leave the business to pursue a career in another one of his passions -- fitness. He became a personal training manager at several fitness centers before opening Fitness by Sami. Not only does he work with clients at the Grove Street location, he also makes house calls.

According to Torrealba, a certified massage therapist and personal trainer, Fitness by Sami teaches "functional training, where you don't need machines or weights. Your own body weight is sufficient to get you into shape. When you work out with your own body weight, you use more than one muscle at a time. This helps improve your coordination and balance."

"Sami helps me with strength and endurance," said client David Adams, of Newtown. "He customized a training plan based on my goals. He's helped me build muscle."

Torrealba credits his father, Alfonso Torrealba, with instilling in him the value of hard work from a very young age. "When I was 13 and first came to the U.S., I worked as a chef's assistant in the back of my dad's restaurant. I earned $20 a week and was able to save enough money to eventually buy my first car. Without this work ethic, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Fitness by Sami is at 90 Grove St. in Ridgefield. Call 407-968-7846 or email Sami.Torrealba@gmail.com.

Sandra Diamond Fox is a freelance writer in

Connecticut and can be reached at Sandraifox@aol.com.

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