By Simone Bandini
We met a radiant and in splendid shape Kornelia Kostadinova (for us simply Ketty) with whom we clarified the reasons why prevention, sport and well-being must coexist and contribute in order to promote a perfect physical and mental condition. Let’s start by telling you her story from the beginning, from her passion for oriental dance to today, as managerial director of the ‘Kinèo Fitness & Wellness’ centre.
Today Ketty follows and develops the start-up contained in the format of the ‘Rijenera Health Gym’ as an MSP trainer. As she receives us in her bright office, she confesses that it has not always been like this, and not even easy: “Mother of three children, I come from a family of artists and my passion for dance”. Dancer, choreographer and artistic director of the International Dance Day in Umbria, an event sponsored by UNESCO: “The experience as a speaker and presenter of Tele Radio Galileo in Terni allowed me to overcome the fear of my linguistic limits, and ensure that a critical issue could become an opportunity – so that even today some misplaced doubles become an element of conjunction with my interlocutors, and we joke about it!”.
Her love for women’s well-being became a perinatal educator with a diploma from the ‘International Active Childbirth Movement’. And in 2017 the passion also expanded into sport: first as a certified technician and personal postural trainer MSP, FBI (Fitness Best Innovations) and then as sales manager and deputy director of the only facility in Umbria accredited as ‘Rijenera Health Gym’. “Following the epidemic, the structure closed, and I decided to invest in my personal growth. I choose to do it with Roberto Re and his Leadership School! From 2020 to date, my training path with HRD (Human Resource Development) as an expert in Management and Communication is challenging and amazing to say the least. And it was really a turning point for my life,” she tells us.
This is her recent story, condensed in a few lines and told by his lively and smiling eyes, which make her words containers full of life and enthusiasm.
But how has the world of health and well-being evolved?
“People realized that physical activity was good for you. But it wasn’t for everyone. Thus were born the Fitness centres… What is good for you is not good for me! And so, the figure of the Personal Trainer made its debut. But all this was not enough for the 14.1 million adults with chronic diseases and the almost 6 million children in Italy who are affected by them”.
“To meet this health but also social need – she specifies – the Health Gyms and our ‘Rijenera’ format were born! With specific EFA and AFA methods and protocols, our Doctors in Sports Science with a Master’s degree in preventive and adapted sports activity, support the recovery and stabilization of those who live with physical problems that also generate mental and relational discomfort. Monitored by the CRAM (Motor Activities Research Center), the statistics show visible and certain improvements, stabilizing the psychophysical condition and improving people’s quality of life. Just think of Mrs. Cesarina, 76, who came to us in 2023 with chronic low back pain and a beginning of Parkinson’s syndrome: experiencing back pain after only 5/10 minutes of walking. 5 weeks after the start of our Rijenera route, she was walking 1 km without pain – after 3 months of adapted physical exercise she now walks 5 km a day, with her Parkinson’s parameters stabilized and without pharmacological treatment! This is our mission together with my thirty collaborators: let’s give back a smile and happiness to the 913 people who, in this last year, have shared with us their stories, sometimes difficult, but also their victories, regaining a better life!”
All this, over time, has become a lifestyle for Ketty to be pursued with strength and ambition: “Encouraging others to get better, motivating them and finally showing them a path to health or recovery is just what I do best!”.
But how did our Ketty land here in Gubbio?
“My current partner, Debora Tedesco, asked us for support for her business here in the city. I agreed to take on the role of sole director and management – while she took over the technical direction. Thus, was born between us, and naturally, a union that releases all feminine forces and energies – which go beyond verbal communication. We work in symbiosis, sharing the same founding and operational values: congruence and consistency, ethics, enthusiasm and mutual support,” she adds. The unity of intent and specialization have allowed a significant growth in the number of users who from 120 members, as mentioned, in just over 2 years has gone to over 900, with the development of multiple business branches that we can simplify as follows:
– The Rijenera Health Gym
– The Pilates Studio and the holistic sector
– Fitness and calisthenics
– Indoor with the coordination of Marco Marsili
– The newly formed competitive boxing team under the guidance of Giammario Grassellini
– Kinèo Dance Academy directed by Ketty Kostadinova in collaboration with Lucia Mangoni and auxiliary staff for specific services: Rosanna Filipponi (classical dance), Emanuele Burrafato (contemporary dance) and Taje Dhier (hip hop)
– Nutritional Sciences with Dr. Melissa Finali for a correct lifestyle even at the table
The specialization of the centre, from the initial reception to individual activities is really important and is another differentiating element: “After the first evaluation we perform specific tests, following the protocols and the ‘Rijenera’ working method that identifies the origin of the condition and develops personalized solutions, also in order to assess the stabilization of the acquired physical conditions, especially in the case of stabilized non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease. We give ad hoc solutions for specific needs and conditions, carefully evaluated, and throughout this process there is never a lack of fun for both adults and children, Ketty points out and she continues: “We work as a team, constantly to be up to our challenges because I believe that you cannot manage others, if you are not able, firstly, to manage yourself!”.
This is definitely an important point – which I fully agree with – and which, I would like to say, fully reflects Ketty Kostadinova’s charismatic personality and leadership skills. A really good meeting for Valley Life.
Plans for the future?
“We would like to complete our offer with water activities, aimed at the Rijenera Health Gym project; This is why we are also evaluating collaborations at an institutional level in the area,” she concludes.
Info: Kinèo Fitness&Wellness, ‘Rijenera’ Health Gym, Via Don Giuseppe Diana C/O ‘I Tigli’ Shopping Center, Gubbio (Pg) / Tel. 075 9221244 / Whatsapp: 375 713530