Today we’d like to introduce you to Edna.
Hi Edna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story has really been about growth, taking chances, and never being afraid to start a new chapter.
I was born in the Philippines, raised in Queens, New York, and moved to Northeastern Pennsylvania in September 2001. NEPA eventually became home, not only for me personally, but also for my family, career, my business, and my connection to the community.
Professionally, I spent more than 20 years with Cigna Healthcare, where I built my career in client service and account management. That experience taught me so much about working with people, building relationships, solving problems, and understanding the importance of truly listening to what someone needs.
At the same time, health and fitness had always been a passion of mine. In 2021, I took that passion to another level and became the owner and operator of EHEALTH Wellness & Fitness Studio. Building a business from the ground up has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. My goal was to create more than just a place to work out, I wanted to build a welcoming, supportive environment where people of different ages and fitness levels could feel comfortable, become stronger, and feel like they belonged.
Along the way, I have been incredibly grateful for the recognition I’ve received, including being named one of the Top 25 Women in Business in Northeastern Pennsylvania in 2022 and receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from State Representative Kyle T. Donahue and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2024 for my community involvement. In 2025, EHEALTH was also recognized as a Gold Winner for Best Fitness Gym/Studio in Scranton’s Best, and I received Silver for Personal Trainer. Those recognitions mean a great deal to me because they represent years of hard work, relationships, and community support.
Most recently, I decided to challenge myself again and pursue another longtime interest….real estate. Just recently, September 3rd 2026, I became a licensed Pennsylvania real estate salesperson and joined Lewith & Freeman Real Estate. For me, real estate is a natural extension of what I’ve always enjoyed doing: helping people, building relationships, understanding their needs, and guiding them through important decisions.
When I look back, my journey may seem like several different careers – healthcare, fitness, entrepreneurship, and now real estate but to me, they are all connected by one thing: people. Whether I’m helping a client navigate healthcare, supporting someone on their wellness journey, serving my community, or helping someone make their next move in real estate, I want people to know that I genuinely care about their goals and their experience.
I’m still growing, still learning, and still challenging myself. I’ve learned that you don’t have to stay in one lane for your entire life. Sometimes the next chapter begins simply because you’re willing to take the chance and I’m excited to see where this next chapter takes me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I truly believe the challenges have helped shape who I am today.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance so many different responsibilities. For many years, I worked a full-time corporate career while also pursuing my passion for health and fitness. When I opened EHEALTH Wellness & Fitness Studio in 2021, I quickly learned that owning a business means wearing many hats. You’re not just the owner, you’re the trainer, instructor, problem solver, marketer, planner, motivator, and the person cleaning up at the end of the day!
Like many small business owners, I’ve experienced the ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship. There are times when business is great and times when you question whether you’re making the right decisions. You deal with financial pressures, changing customer needs, competition, long hours, and the responsibility of keeping a business moving forward even when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Another major transition came after spending more than 20 years in healthcare. Leaving something that had been such a big part of my professional life and stepping into a completely new career in real estate was both exciting and intimidating. Starting over later in your career can make you question yourself. I had to become a student again, complete the education requirements, study for my licensing exams, learn an entirely new industry, and accept that I wasn’t going to know everything overnight.
But one thing about me is that I don’t give up easily. I’ve learned to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Every challenge has taught me something, whether it was patience, resilience, humility, or simply learning to trust myself a little more.
I’ve also learned that success doesn’t always mean having everything figured out. Sometimes success is continuing to show up, learning from the difficult moments, adjusting your direction, and moving forward.
My road certainly hasn’t been perfect, and I’m sure there will be more challenges ahead. But I wouldn’t change the journey because every struggle, setback, and new beginning has helped prepare me for where I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
EHEALTH Wellness & Fitness Studio is more than just a gym to me, it’s a community.
When I created EHEALTH, I wanted to build a space where people could come in and feel comfortable regardless of their age, fitness level, size, or experience. Gyms can sometimes feel intimidating, especially for someone who is just beginning their wellness journey or returning after being away for a long time. I wanted EHEALTH to feel different. I wanted people to walk through the door and feel welcomed, supported, encouraged, and never judged.
We specialize in group fitness, personal training, strength and conditioning, and overall wellness. Our classes include strength training, HIIT, small-group bootcamp, Zumba/DanceFit, Pilates, heated Pilates, indoor cycling, and other fitness options designed for different levels and abilities. We also work with clients individually and modify programs when necessary because I strongly believe fitness is not one-size-fits-all.
One of the things that sets EHEALTH apart is the personal connection we have with our members. We know our members. We celebrate their progress, encourage them when they’re struggling, and genuinely notice when they haven’t been around. You’re not just a membership number when you come here.
I’m especially proud of the community of women that has developed around EHEALTH. Our membership is almost entirely female, and watching women of different ages, backgrounds, body types, and fitness levels encourage one another has become one of the most rewarding parts of owning the studio. Some people originally walked through our doors nervous about exercising or unsure of themselves, and I’ve watched them become stronger, healthier, and much more confident.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that EHEALTH has developed a reputation for being welcoming and community-focused while still providing challenging, effective workouts. In 2025, we were honored to receive Gold for Best Fitness Gym/Studio in Scranton’s Best, and I received Silver for Personal Trainer. Those recognitions were incredibly meaningful because they came from the community we serve.
But awards aren’t what define EHEALTH. What I’m proudest of is seeing someone accomplish something they once thought they couldn’t do. It might be lifting a heavier weight, completing an entire class, becoming stronger after a health setback, or simply gaining enough confidence to walk into the gym consistently. Those victories matter.
I also believe a business should be part of the community it serves. Giving back and supporting our local community has always been important to me, and I want EHEALTH to continue being known not only for fitness, but also for connection, encouragement, and community involvement.
As I begin this new chapter in real estate, those same values come with me. Whether I’m working with someone at EHEALTH or helping a buyer, seller, renter, or landlord through real estate, my approach is very similar: listen first, understand what they need, be there to guide them, and build a relationship based on trust.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that EHEALTH isn’t about being perfect or looking a certain way. It’s about becoming stronger, healthier, more confident, and being surrounded by people who want to see you succeed. That’s the brand and community I’m most proud to have built.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my fondest childhood memories is entertaining my grandmother and her friends. As a little girl, I loved singing and dancing for them, and I can still remember how happy it made me to see them smile and laugh. Looking back, I think that was one of the first times I realized how much I enjoyed bringing joy and positive energy to other people.
It’s funny because I actually consider myself an introvert by nature. I enjoy my quiet time and I’m very comfortable behind the scenes. But when the moment calls for it, I can definitely switch it up and bring out my extroverted side, whether I’m teaching a fitness class, speaking to a group, meeting new people, or simply trying to make someone smile.
I guess that little girl singing and dancing for her grandmother’s friends is still very much a part of who I am today. I may be an introvert at heart, but I’ve always had an entertainer in me who loves connecting with people and making them feel good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ehealthwfstudiollc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emobilegym
- Twitter: www.instagram.com/e.health.wfstudio
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ehealth-wellness-and-fitness-studio-dunmore-2?uid=Vt7qxGsJDC5KIPPxqf50ZA&utm_source=ishare
