Health and wellness guru Vili is bringing Europe’s hottest fitness trend to Los Angeles. Vili focuses on electric muscle stimulation (EMS) workouts with her clients, utilizing technology that stimulates more muscle fibers by sending electrical impulses through your body. From Heidi Klum to Madonna, countless celebrities have begun to swear by EMS training. EMS conditioning is revolutionizing fitness, and I had the pleasure of speaking with the leading woman who is popularizing this transformative new exercise concept in the United States for the first time.
Can you tell me a little about your background?
I was born in Linz, Austria and grew up with three older siblings and one younger brother. I was always very outgoing, and I used to sing and entertain everyone, so I decided to take ballet classes and joined a kid’s musical theatre company. I love to be outdoors, so I also pursued track and field for the majority of my childhood. That’s where I experienced bullying for the first time and, unfortunately, it made me quit what I loved the most at that time. I eventually made a career doing musical theatre in Vienna and worked as a professional actress in movies, television, and commercials.
How did your fitness journey begin?
I was never fully happy and confident in my skin. Being in the theatre scene and constantly comparing myself to other ballet girls made me very depressed. I began to starve myself, which led to a lack of energy and mood swings. Never being satisfied with my body regardless of how active I was day to day was a horrible feeling to live with. Today, I am healthy because I overcame my own insecurities about my body and learned to love myself. I also learned what kinds of fitness activities help me stay strong inside and out because I tried everything. When I first tried EMS training, I immediately felt stronger and toned but also very challenged every step of the way. I knew right away that it’s the future of fitness.
What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs?
To stay true to yourself.
What’s the most critical piece of advice for someone as they work to achieve their health and fitness goals?
It sounds cliche, but my advice is to never give up. There will be ups and downs, and sometimes the downs last longer than you hope. Find inspiration and motivation. Make a vision board and focus on your goals and make it happen one step at a time. Also, be patient. So many clients come in with unrealistic goals or time frames, but. the body takes time to change. It’s more important to change how you see yourself and to love yourself no matter what shape or size you are.
How do you work to overcome setbacks, both in fitness and your career?
I usually give myself a moment or even a day to reflect on what had happened. After that, I don’t look back anymore and try to find a new goal. It’s a learning process, and I always try to listen within. Some days are easier than others. It’s important to remember that you are the creator of your own universe, so a setback is usually a cross-path to a brighter future.
What is a typical day in your life like?
I try to wake up before my daughter Charlotte, so I can have a sip of black coffee and have some quite time alone. I like to spend the first thirty minutes of my day without electronics, so I can fully connect with myself and my daughter without getting dragged into the social media world. After that, my husband Jason and I go over our schedules to make sure that we’re coordinated, and everything is planned. I also enjoy starting my day with cold showers. In my opinion, this strengthens my willpower and wakes me up. Additionally, it forces me to control my breathing, which I think is beneficial.
Most of my clients like to start their days with EMS training so, after that, I jump right in and work. In the afternoon, I usually try to explore LA with my daughter and spend time with her. We try to cook dinner fresh every day, and after my daughter’s bedtime I catch up with emails and other business necessities.
What’s your proudest moment yet?
Giving birth to my daughter, Charlotte Grace.