Joanna Garcia Hot

MORENO VALLEY: Couple counters economic trend, opens fitness studio

Several months ago, Nedra Walker bought into her dream and bucked a trend. She and her husband, Michael, launched their own exercise studio in Moreno Valley.

Amidst tough economic times that have scared off or scuttled the ventures of small entrepreneurs, the couple this past March opened Walker's Body by You Fitness in Canyon Springs Plaza.

"Once you have a passion, if doesn't matter how many people are doing the same thing," said Nedra Walker 44. "You have to do it because it's in you."

A nurse for 16 years, Walker was undaunted by the big fitness chains and grim news from the U.S. Department of Labor: Start-ups are starting smaller, hiring fewer, and surviving at a lower rate than in the past, providing at least one explanation for abysmal U.S. job growth.

In fact, since 2006, the annual number of new independent businesses has plummeted 27 percent. Employment at start-ups has been declining since the tech bubble burst. It hit a high of about 4.7 million new jobs a year from 1997 to 2000 and had fallen to about 2.5 million in 2010.

Undeterred, the Walkers invested $10,000 to renovate a former furniture store at 12125 Day St. "My husband kept pushing me," she said.

Walker has cut back her nursing to part-time in-home elder care.

"I feel it's our duty to be here for people who haven't got enough confidence to go to the gym," she said. "I'm trying to create an atmosphere to make them feel comfortable."

Walker initially taught every kick-boxing and Zumba class herself, but has since hired six certified instructors. "I'm just a sub at this point," she said.

She's built a membership of 100, 35 of whom are active. The cost is $7 per class or 10 classes for $30.

A LATIN BEAT, MORE

Before a recent Zumba class, a dozen women spread out in the 3,200-square-foot room as teacher Vanessa Salman, 28, cranked up the hot Latin beat.

Nick Swisher's Wife - JoAnna Garcia | Hot Sports Wives

Interesting Details Time Together

Nick Swisher starting dating Joanna Garcia, who now goes by Joanna Garcia-Swisher, in mid-2009 and the marriage question was popped about a year later in May, 2010.  The two didn’t waste too much time and tied the know on December 11th, 2010 in Palm Beach, Florida.  JoAnna is one year Nick’s elder having been born in August of 1979, while Swisher’s birthdate was in November of 1980.

Joanna was born and raised in Tampa Bay, Florida and got into acting at the early age of 10.  Her first major role came when Garcia was 15 and she was discovered by Nickelodeon to star in their Are You Afraid of the Dark (2010-present).