Carisa Skretch attended Ross School for the entirety of her high school career, graduating with the Class of 2004. By the time she completed high school at Ross, Carisa had developed a passion for culture, history, and art. Her studies instilled the importance of understanding and celebrating different cultures, inspiring her to stay curious and continue learning. She went on to graduate from Carleton College in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, focusing primarily on East Asian Art History. Looking at how Ross School has shaped her life today, Carisa remarked, “In a very abstract way, the ability to seek out and try to understand different perspectives has the most direct impact on my current work.”
Understanding varying perspectives helps Carisa in her current industry—personal training and physical fitness. She owns a personal training studio in Los Angeles, CA, with her partner Rob called SoCalSport. Rob, who is finishing a Masters in Exercise Science, handles the programming and training of the clients, and Carisa focuses on the client experience. When asked about getting their start in the fitness industry, Carisa explained, “This opportunity fell into our laps, and we took a chance… I absolutely love my business… Every day there is something new and exciting to work on.”
Having a fitness studio and a diverse range of programs proves just how meaningful the work Carisa and Rob are doing in helping restore their clients’ health. She elaborated, “The majority of our clients are over 50 years old with kids and careers, many of whom had never set foot in a gym but knew they needed to do something to stay healthy. We work really hard to create an environment that breaks from typical gym culture and feels comfortable and welcoming for everyone. We want people to know strength training is not just for bodybuilders.” When asked why she believes strength training is essential to living a healthy lifestyle, Carisa said, “Maintaining your strength is essential for treating and preventing common issues such as lower back, shoulder, hip, and knee pain. Strength training is proven to increase your energy, improve stress management and balance, and build bone mass which is extremely important for women as we age, to prevent osteoporosis.”
Rob, Carisa, and one of their trainers, Jeff.
Ross School’s holistic approach to teaching students about mental and physical wellness has permeated into Carisa’s professional life as an adult. She reflected, “Ross set me up to have an extremely holistic view of the world. Nothing happens in a vacuum, and our Western perspective is far from the only one there is.” Through her own personal experience and research, Carisa studied the importance of strength training in personal fitness and has worked towards making accessible programs to help people with a variety of health goals achieve their desired outcomes. “I cannot get over the fact that we are building a service that fills an incredible need in society, and we have changed the lives of almost every client who has walked in our door… We have helped people hike, bike, and run again, improve their golf game, and have way more energy to keep up with their kids or grandkids.” Their clients’ progress never ceases to amaze them. She recalled one of many great success stories, “a 40-year-old mother who was told she needed surgery by a spinal surgeon but after strength training for a few months, she no longer needs it.”
When asked about operating her own business, she remarked, “The best part is owning a business where we 100% do everything we can to serve our clients and have their best interests at heart. I personally care about every single one of our current 64 clients. I know their birthdays, their spouse and children’s names, their alma mater, and their favorite sports teams. Our programs are designed specifically around their goals and limitations to help them feel physically as good as they possibly can.”
She recounted her amazing experiences with some of Ross School’s most familiar faces, stating, “Mark Frankel, my senior project advisor, introduced me to a ton of amazing media… Matt Aldredge led a great cultural history class… Therese Lichtenstein ignited my passion for art history… Gerard Doyle was great fun and pushed me to improve my acting—I was never very good, but a lot of the public speaking and presentation skills I still use to this day.”
Carisa also reflected on the connections she made with these Ross faculty members, among others: “Don’t be afraid of your teachers. They were always amazing and caring people. Hang out with them at lunch and listen to their stories. Some of the funniest stories I have ever heard were from these guys. It’s probably the part I miss the most.”
Carisa speaking at a local Rotary Club chapter meeting.
Carisa has big plans for growth in 2023. She recently spoke at a Rotary Club chapter meeting, discussing strength training, and hopes to give additional presentations to help educate the public on the importance of strength training in physical health. This March, she led the warm-up for a local charity 5K at Loyola Marymount University in support of local schools. At the studio, Carisa is excited to continue their slow renovation of the interior space while continuing to brainstorm new ways to help their clients feel encouraged, inspired, and motivated to continue their fitness journeys, hopefully having a little fun along the way.
Visit the SoCalSport website to learn more.