Our Founder
Elizabeth Pongo
Elizabeth Pongo has an affinity for exercise science, and the human brain’s capacity to create reality. Through understanding transformational learning in relation to cognitive behavioral science, Elizabeth has designed a fitness community that supports true growth, joy, and wellbeing. Her passion for movement and psychology find harmony in her namesake gym, Pongo Power.
The practice of Medical Exercise Training, in which exercise performs the same function as medicine in the body, stems from her experiences as a young woman in a troubled home. Elizabeth’s memories of self-harm and self-hate begin as early as age thirteen, when she first began to feel isolated from her parents. These feelings developed into a battle with bulimia that spanned over fifteen years.
At age fifteen, she developed debilitating headaches and lockjaw and was diagnosed with a profound scoliosis. The American doctors prescribed a rigid back-brace that Elizabeth was to wear at all times, except bathing. With the back brace and scoliosis came more bad news. The doctors told her that if she wanted to heal, she must limit her movement practices and quit playing sports. Elizabeth was at an impasse in her physical and mental health. Luckily, her father László Pongo (a World-class fencer and avid athlete) insisted on getting a second opinion. So, the pair flew to Hungary, where the Hungarian medical community outright dismissed the back-brace and instead insisted Elizabeth restore healthy, frequent movement and sports.
When László Pongo suffered a stroke, Elizabeth found she took to the role of caregiver naturally. His passing in 2005 made her realize that she had her own wounds to heal before she could be fully dedicated to helping heal others.
“I was a psychology major at Middlebury College, where I learned that humans create their own reality. The brain’s ability to do that, consciously and subconsciously, is fascinating to me. I love to share this knowledge with our community.”
As a successful runner of the 1999 New York City Marathon, (running time: 5:08:25), the 2011 NYC Marathon (4:43:14) AND the 2014 NYC Marathon (4:57:10), Elizabeth believes in the benefits of consistent physical activity over time—a very long period of time.
In 2016 she completed her first Olympic Distance NYC Triathlon. Happy to have made the jump to Triathlon, Elizabeth finds that event training provides the motivation to exercise. Yes, even Personal Trainers need to find inspiration. In 2017 she completed the Hawaii Lavaman Triathlon with the Team in Training. This led to the 2018 Chantilly Triathlon in France. In 2019 Elizabeth completed five Olympic Distance Triathlons throughout five different climate-types in the United States.
Most events were canceled in 2020. However, this 2021 Elizabeth regularly completes swim, bike and running days as she prepares for 2022.
“I am thrilled by movement. and I find it healing. Yet, how to perform these activities without creating micro-traumas, or repetitive stress injuries is paramount to success. I unraveled this mystery for myself, as well as discarding my coping through bulimia. Humans are complex creatures. Thinking about the effects of our sedentary culture on society can be overwhelming. At Pongo Power, we have created a culture in which we can help each and every person who walks through the door, through neurolinguistics, education, and attention to detail. We are committed to ending the obesity epidemic; helping others beat their eating disorders; and sharing our love of movement with the world.”