Monica Mangan is a personal fitness trainer and lifestyle coach .  She opened the doors of Buff Fitness in January 2009 with a passion for sharing her love of fitness and helping her clients establish and maintain a healthier lifestyle in a private exercise environment.

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Her fitness journey began playing youth sports and competitive figure skating in upstate New York. She supported herself in college coaching skating, and then moved to NYC to pursue a career in creative advertising.  Monica left the  corporate world in 1990 to find a better life balance as a new mother by coaching skating in Manhattan.  In 1994, with a growing family, a move to Maplewood New Jersey resulted in a desire to begin building a new career while simultaneously raising three young children, ultimately alone – a new plan in place to execute. She began first teaching group exercise classes and eventually, water exercise, spinning and yoga. 

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While working with groups had its rewards, Monica found herself drawn to the personal journeys and challenges of the members of her classes and realized her true passion was working with individuals.  As a competitive runner and tri-athlete, she was fascinated by the stories, the struggles and the successes of everyone she met.  In 2004, Monica became a personal fitness trainer with a new focus and passion for helping her clients find value and successes on their own road to a greater health and wellness.    

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Monica has lived in the SOMA neighborhood for 25 years and is  proud to have raised her children in this vibrant and diverse community.  She is the co-founder and was director of the Maplewood in Motion race for 8 years.  The relationships she has developed with her peers and clients is driven by a desire to live with happiness, balance and optimum health.