We had the good fortune of connecting with Carlos Makali’i Sosa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carlos, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a surfer and hula dancer, I wanted to bring the surfing and Hawaiian lifestyles into fitness to create SURFCORE Fitness. As our tagline says “HIIT with ALOHA”, I wanted to create a space that welcomes everybody and create a community of like minded people that workout hard, support each other and have a ton of fun.

Duke Kahanamoku, the famous surfer used to say “The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun” At SURFCORE we don’t judge people on their fitness level, we are super confident that no matter where you start we can help you get where you want to go.

What should our readers know about your business?
Besides our totally kickass workouts, what really sets us apart is our clients, we call them the ALOHA TRIBE.

In a place like LA where the gyms can be a bit intimidating and not always the friendliest of places, ours stands out because of our awesome vibe. We hear it all the time, “we love it here, everybody is so friendly”, and it totally true. Our ALOHA TRIBE is the best, they are super welcoming to new members and super positive. They workout hard but they have a ton of fun doing it.
SURFCORE Fitness is HIIT (high intensity interval training) class that uses a combination of resistance and cardiovascular exercises to burn up to 1,000 calories in a single session. Improving your speed, power and endurance all while toning and strengthening the core all with a sense of aloha and a super cool and welcoming island vibe. Our GLUTE workouts are pretty famous, people come from everywhere in town! The SURFCORE booty is a real thing and trust me you want it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Favorite spots: SURF:
 – El Porto, Manhattan beach – Can get a bit crowded but it has the most consistent surf in town,
– Zeros- Malibu -Point break with a sand and rock bottom. Breaks left and right, the left hand is more of a beach break. The lefts are pretty sweet and in this town good lefts are hard to come by – PV Cove
– The Cove’s premier break is Middles, long, slow rights and lefts favored by longboarders. Needs W swells, good with some N. Watch out for clean-up sets and rip currents when it’s big. Tends to close out at low tide, when the lefts get better. Boneyards is a juicy, rocky, shallow left on the south end of the cove. Gets hollow, works from mid-tide up.
EAT
-Rutts Hawaiian Cafe, Culver City – Everything brings back memories of Hawaii. The food is authentic, plentiful and delicious. Perfect place to get a post surf grub.
– Sunday Gravy, Inglewood – Locally made fresh pasta!!! This pace is amazing, family owned by the super cool and friendly kids of the original owner. The food is epic, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE!
-Antojitos Martin, Inglewood – I love this place. The Mangoneadas and agua frescas have me here literally every day that I dont work. The Mexican inspired snack options are nearly endless. You can get everything from a fresh made crepe to smoothies I can’t say enough good things about this place. Everything is made fresh right in front of you.
-KC Crepes, Westchester – Sweet and savory crepes with a Japanese flavor and the BEST fresh boba in town. Their Thai Ice tea boba is my reason to live.
DO:
– Te Aho Nui Tahitian dance school, mid city – Awesome to get your Polynesian moves on, the teacher Leolani Gallardo is one of the most well known teachers is the world and the vibe of the school is super friendly.
– Marina Del Rey Outrigger canoe club – MDROCC gives people from all walks of life the opportunity to enjoy the sport of outrigger canoe paddling. In no time you will be cruising the ocean Polynesian style!
-Halau o Lilinoe, Carson – Under the direction of Na Kumu Hula Sissy and Lilinoe Kaio,Hula Halau O Lilinoe/Na Pua Me Ke Aloha, a traditional school of Hawaiian hula based in Carson, California. The school focuses on the ancient dance traditions
AWESOME PEOPLE:
– Mario, Physical Therapy -LA Training Room – I’m a long time client of Mario’s and can safely say that no one else comes close to his expertise and skill. I had a bad shoulder injury that prevented me from training, After struggling with my pain for MONTHS, it took 2x visits to Mario and that was it. He worked a miracle on me. Now all our SURFCORE clients go to Mario and every single one raves about him – 310.467.0932
-Nacho, Barber – Plugged LA Kutz – Nacho is the best barber in town, his haircuts are super legit he takes a ton of town on them and super affordable. I am so stoked I discovered his barbershop in Koreatown.
– Jose, Kristina, Vanessa & Larissa, trainers, SURFCORE Fitness – Last but not least our amazing trainers, not only they know what they are doing but they are some of the best people you will encounter in LA. They will make sure you get the best workout but for sure there are going to be plenty of lol’s along the way!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Kumu (hula teacher) Anette Lilinoe Kaio, taught me the obstacles come into our lives because there are lessons that we must learn from the experience. This point of view has changed how deal with difficulty, I try to stay humble and understand what is the lesson to be learnt.

Anette passed on to me these Hawaiian values that now guide everything we do at SURFCORE: Kokua – to help one another Malama – care for one another Akahai – patience with one another Lokahi – recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped Olu’olu – flexibility and kindness Aloha – to love and care for one another Kuleana – to take care of your responsibilities.

Surfing has helped me though the most difficult moments of my life and has delivered some of the happiest experiences and the best friends. Surfing led me to Hawai’i and Hawai’i let me to hula. I have learned that like the ocean, life is ever-changing and one should be able to adapt to change. “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf.”

Website: https://www.surfcorefitness.net
Instagram: @surfcorefitness
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Surfcorefitness/

Image Credits
Jonathan Godoy Photography

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