Leaders Spotlight : Ram
In our 10th year of sweating and connecting we are sharing stories from our dedicated and passionate volunteers.
Introducing Ram, who volunteers with FitFam Shanghai at Hongqiao.
Tell us about yourself
Originally I’m from the vibrant province in the Philippines, the “Queen City of the South” – CEBU! The place that taught me warmth, staying grounded and finding joy even in the heat of the day. Growing up, my afternoons weren’t spent on screens but on schoolwork and errands intertwined with play. Tasks that felt like games were done alongside neighborhood kids. We turned chores into competitions, racing to finish math problems or stack cans fastest. In that simple rhythm, routine was never forced; it grew naturally from shared laughter and purpose. Balancing responsibility through consistent action builds discipline. Years passed, and the whole planet wasn’t on my side. For a change, I came to Shanghai in 2016 alone, and my journey as an expat began. Out of nowhere, those childhood lessons became my anchor – no friends, no family to lean on but the discipline carried me through.
Your first FitFam workout
What first attracted me to FitFam started with a practical need – I wanted to stay physically active, but had no equipment or a gym budget. Then I found a free rower from Vy Vu (through a mini app). I checked her WeChat moments, saw her FitFam posts and got curious. At first I was hesitant to join. I kept thinking, “What if I can’t keep up?” That fear almost stopped me. Then I signed up anyway, I showed up for my first session with Coach Hans at HQ. And I was wrong they didn’t judge me for being new or struggling. Just warm, patient and encouraging people. That free rower, that WeChat post, that first session – changed everything! All because of a community chose kindness over competition.
The FitFam Impact
Joining FitFam completely reshaped my relationship with discipline and community. Beyond the physical gains, it taught me the power of showing up for others – cheering someone through their last rep builds a bond that carries into real life. I’ve gained a support system that celebrates non-scale victories. The early morning workouts gave me structure when I felt directionless, and the shared struggle of a tough session made me fearless in every aspect of life. Ultimately, it turned fitness from a chore into a source of belonging and resilience. Thus, the community became my family away from home.
Becoming a FitFam leader
That didn’t happen overnight. It started small by showing up consistently, even on days I didn’t feel like it.
When Hans trusted me to lead a warm-up, then a full workout, I wasn’t hesitant. Not because I thought I knew everything – but because I was confident enough in what I could offer. Consistency! Encouragement! The same warmth that Vy and Hans showed me. So I stepped up.
The process wasn’t about the strongest or loudest. It was about being present, consistent, and up-lifting. Leadership in FitFam is not a title you take. It’s a role you grow into - one conversation, one early morning at a time.
My experience shifted from receiving to giving. Being a leader didn’t make me better than anyone. It made me more connected. More responsible for the energy I bring. And somehow, I knew I was part of something bigger than my own fitness.
So yes, FitFam changed my life when I joined. But leading? That changed my heart.
Why become a FitFam leader?
I get it. I was you. I thought, ‘What if I can’t keep up? What if I look silly? What if I don’t belong? ‘
Here’s what I learned the moment I showed up: no one is watching to judge you. Everyone is too busy cheering you on. You don’t need to be fit to start. You don’t need expensive gear. You just need to show up. That’s it!
The warm up might feel hard ( like on my first session with coach Hans , running up the stairs: “ Oh my God”) Your legs might shake. You might be the last to finish a set of an AMRAP session. And guess what? Someone will high-five you anyway. Someone will say, ‘Good job, See you tomorrow.’
So if you’re hesitating? Take that first step – walk through the door and be there.
And If you’re thinking about becoming a leader, Here’s what I can say– Be confident in what you can offer not in being perfect. Lead the way you wished you were led. Accept that leadership changes you. You’ll stop thinking about just your own workout. You will care about everyone’s.
Don’t let hesitation hold you back. If you already have the heart to serve, the discipline to show up, and the courage – you’re ready. Becoming a leader isn’t about being above anyone, it’s about lifting from within.
Favorite Sweat and Connect moments
Honestly, It’s when I see someone struggling-really struggling-pushing themselves to finish a movement even if it looks completely silly. You know what I mean. The form is falling apart. The legs are wobbling. The face is somewhere between pain and pure determination. Actually it looks hilarious!
And the sun hasn’t even thought about rising. The air bites your cheeks. You see others shuffling in, sleepy-eyed, hoodies pulled tight. Somewhere between the first squat and the last burpee, the darkness and cold don’t feel the same anymore.
But here’s the thing-they don’t stop and neither do I. Then we catch each other’s eyes and we just….laugh. Not at each other. With each other. Like, “Yeah, this is ridiculous. We look crazy but we’re still here doing it”
That laughter breaks down all the pressure. It turns a brutal session into a shared joke. A memory. The ugly reps, the silly faces, and the laughter in the middle of suffering are the real connection.
No Judgment. Just Sweat, struggle and a whole lot of laughter.
Anything else you would like to share?
Motivation gets you started. Discipline keeps you growing. When you join us, you’re not just signing up for a goal-you’re training your ability to show up for yourself, even on hard days. Every small step builds trust in your own follow- through. Your future self is built by what you start today ; one movement, one rep, one minute – earn it!
