Steven and Leslie in Florida, before she decided to come to California.
Steve and Alex in the deep end of the AVAC Jr. Olympic pool
The Family Sokol: Exercising their right to Family Fitness at AVAC
The two circle the deep end of the pool several times a week. Late in the afternoon, around
and round they go, counter-clockwise, talking about what they did that day, what they are
going to do, and generally having fun. “Fun” is the operative word, I discovered after meeting the entire Sokol
family –Steve, Leslie and Alex. This family is literally the embodiment of why AVAC is San Joseʼs premier family athletic
club.
World’s Fittest Man Meets Miss Fitness
Steve was once the Worldʼs Fittest Man. He not only set the original goals
in the Guiness Book of World Records while at AVAC, he actually
established the parameters for how many sit ups and jumping jacks in a set
amount of time others had to follows to establish their own records. After the
rush of publicity resulted in Cosmopolitan Magazine naming him one of
Americaʼs most eligible bachelors, Steve received “ a couple hundred”
offers from women. However, one typewritten response from a dancer and
former body builder (who once had placed second in Miss Fitness
competition) stood out from others. The woman, Leslie Ennis, became his
wife and the mother of their nine-year-old son Alex.
Why do what nobody else has done before?
Itʼs natural to wonder where the motivation comes from to set a worldʼs
record or win a marathon enters oneʼs psyche. In both cases – Leslie to
overcome a heart murmer and Steve asthma, the desire to overcome
adversity was the singular motivational factor.
“Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be another Mark Spitz and win
gold medals. Or defeat the best and brightest in an Iron Man. But, I was
never fast enough. Somehow, though, I knew I had the potential. Something
inside me told me that if I were open ended, I could go until I could not go
anymore. Just to give it a try.”
Aim Higher and Higher
Leslieʼs adventures in fitness cover a wide range of activities. Founder and
president of Dancekids Corporation, she
has been teaching dance and fitness to
Steve and Leslie do the “Cirque de Soleil” with Alex!
children in the San Jose school system
for more than 30 years. She is passionate about spreading the joy that comes from
moving, music and dance. Her foray into fitness includes race walking, which she didnʼt
take up until she was past 40. A gold-medal holder, Leslie has also been a body builder
and a runner up in Miss Fitness Competition. By the way, I only learned of these awards
through Steve, who had to coax her into revealing these honors. When I stated that
Leslie was being too modest, considering she had received numerous awards herself,
she replied, “Itʼs a matter of memory. Not modesty!”
The Happiest Advice Your Can Offer?
Alex, Leslie and Steve share the same philosophy. The Dancekids Web site says it best
“Think Positive! Believe in yourself and never give-up trying. You can accomplish
anything you set your mind on. Most of all, Have Fun!”
The family spends a lot of time together, not always running or competing. They eat
healthy, enjoy desserts, and Steve plans to take Alex for an early trip to Yosemite.
Alex is already an outstanding athlete, establishing his own records, recently
competing in the National USA Track and Field Junior Olympics and finishing in the 35th
spot. He enjoys reading Lemony Snicketʼs A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Cosmo named Steve one of Americaʼs most
On the contrary, there are very healthy events in this familyʼs future.
Eligable bachelors.