herlife | inspirationsVictoria PopoffChanging the Way Women Work OutVictoria Popoff is all business. Unafraid to pursue the passionsof her heart when she knows what she wants, shegoes after it with unwavering tenacity and the end result isnothing short of impressive. However, balancing out thattenacious and ambitious character is a genuinely sweetand insightful presence, one that naturally draws people to her andmakes them feel right at home. This is one driven woman for whomcompassion for others is an instinct and following the passions of herheart is a lifestyle. As owner of Studio V Pilates & <strong>Fitness</strong> and newlyopened Studio V Day Spa, this young entrepreneur givestestament that a strong work ethic, coupled withdoing what she loves every day, adds up to asuccessful and thriving business.Presently an avid fitness professional,Victoria was born and raisedin Modesto, and confessed to just“dabbling” in a couple of sportswhile still in high school, such astrack and gymnastics. But thesmall private school she attendedwas far from competitive in terms ofsporting endeavors so most athleticactivities were strictly for fun.However, while a student at CaliforniaState University Stanislaus, Victoriatook a part-time job as a lifeguard at the pooland developed a love of swimming. It was thenthat she acquired an interest in teaching fitness classesand competing in triathlons.“I opened the newspaper one day and scanned the classifieds,looking for a potential job in the fitness industry,” recalled Victoria, whowas 18 years old at the time. “I interviewed with a lady at a weight lossclinic whom I apparently impressed and began working for her. Sheessentially became my mentor, and within a year I became a certifiedfitness instructor. Believe it or not, I still incorporate some of the sameWithsuch passioncame intense desireto fully embrace hernewfound calling, and shequickly became certified innearly every fitness modalityand continues to add toher education eachyear.moves she taught me back then into my classes today.”Before she knew it, Victoria’s spirited enthusiasm had her teachingsome type of aerobics or boot camp and she actively built arésumé that evidenced work at nearly every gym in the county. “WhenI first began working out, I noticed an immediate change in me anddeveloped a great love for the industry,” she noted. “It was then thatI realized I could get paid to stay healthy and motivate others. Plus, itwas so much fun!”With such passion came intense desire to fully embrace her newfoundcalling, and she quickly became certified in nearlyevery fitness modality and continues to add to hereducation each year. However, even thoughshe was developing a strong interest infitness, her college major was in thefield of journalism and organizationalcommunications.“I actually wanted to be areporter in the entertainment world,”she said. “I worked at the Grammy ®Awards in Hollywood my senioryear of college but quickly becamedisenchanted with that world, realizingit was not an environment for me.So, I assumed a job at my former highschool as a physical education teacher. Ialso taught radio broadcasting.”Not one to do anything with less than 100percent effort and enthusiasm, Victoria soon becamethe full-time Director of Development at the school, with anemphasis on fundraising for students who couldn’t afford the privateschool tuition but wanted a Christian education.That position fueled her interest in working with teenagers,so she decided it would be a good idea to return to the world ofacademia and pursue a Master’s degree in psychology counselingat Stanislaus State. To date, she has completed all but her thesis in22 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>MAGAZINE.COM
y ann e. butenasphotos by briggs photographyhair and makeup by sidney leshot on location at studio v<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>MAGAZINE.COM 23
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