Fitness is Ramona “Julia” Sucgang-Bonoan’s tool in helping people become healthier and happier versions of themselves. Julia has been working as a transformation coach since 2017 and currently serves as a women’s fitness specialist, fitness coach, and sports nutritionist. Her commitment to promoting physical and mental fitness also stretches to the media industry as a content creator and lifestyle writer for GMA Lifestyle.
Julia’s strong passion for fitness is evident from then until now– prioritizing movement, nutrition, and rest helped her cope ever since she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the young age of eight years old, and still is essential to being a present mom to her one year-old daughter today. She attributes her success in coaching to God’s help and her Miriam education. If there’s one thing we know about studying in a premier women’s Catholic institution, it’s that faith and education go hand in hand with character formation; Julia recalled that her exposure to living by values and character-building opportunities instilled in her a love for God and serving people. Moreover, she shared that being a mom is her most proud accomplishment. Undertaking the role of being a homeschool mom alongside her full-time coaching career birthed the realization that being a mother should not involve losing one’s identity in the process, but rather evolving to a better version of oneself.
Out of tons of cherished memories, Julia’s most memorable ones include being sent by the school as a representative for the 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. The experience allowed her to gain confidence in taking risks, trying new things, and surrendering all uncertainties to God. Aside from the pilgrimage, she recounted that being part of the school’s soccer varsity team helped her build discipline and meet life-long friends.
To Knollers who wish to pursue the same path, her advice is to prioritize progression over perfection: “You don’t necessarily have to be at your fittest state first to become one. Just like with any career, you don’t have to be “an expert” at your chosen field to start but continue to strive to be better… Part of progressing is also not being afraid of making mistakes along the way.”
For Julia, a Miriam graduate is an empowered woman who is fearless, selfless, and always strives for greatness. The Maryknoll/Miriam alumni community indeed comprises empowered women leaders bonded by sisterhood that endures over time, which is attested to whenever our stories are told.
