Houston Fitness Czar Samir Becic is trainer to the Houston media stars

Samir Becic really is the "Fitness Trainer to the Houston Stars."

He's trained clients including NBA Legend Rudy Tomjanovich, "Great Day Houston's" Deborah Duncan, Lakewood's Victoria Osteen, KPRC 2's Dominique Sachse, TV Host Kim Davis, abc13 KTRK Reporter Miya Shay, AM 1070's Sam Malone, 104 KRBE's Roula Christie, Sunny 99.1 KODA's Dana Tyson, 89.3 KSBJ's Coppelia Rivera among others.

You've probably even caught Becic making TV appearances.

Not only is Becic pumping iron, but he's now carrying the weight of Houston on his shoulders as he is working to get his adopted hometown to shed a few pounds.

A few months ago, Mayor Sylvester Turner named Becic the Houston Fitness Czar. The title harkens back to when former President George H.W. Bush named action star Arnold Schwarzenegger US Fitness Czar back in the 1990s.

The developer of the ReSync Method and founder of Health Fitness Revolution wants to say "Hasta la vista, baby" in his own way of course, to Houstonians' bad health habits.

I caught up with Becic to find out his plans to get H-Town moving.

Mike McGuff: What was it like to learn you were Fitness Czar for the fourth largest US city?
Samir Becic: It was very humbling and I'm now feeling a greater sense of responsibility to continue spreading the message of healthy lifestyle to my fellow Houstonians. I'm also thankful to Mayor Sylvester Turner for giving me this opportunity and platform.

MM: What are your objectives in this role?
SB: A big goal of mine is to get Houston off of the "fattest lists" ranking in addition to promoting being more active to the younger generation - who are the future of this great city. The obesity and diabetes Type II rate among children is reaching epic proportions, and we, as a city, need to work together to stop this epidemic. I am thankful to the Houston media for promoting a healthy lifestyle and helping me in my efforts as the new "fitness guru" for the city of Houston. I think it's very patriotic, that we, as a community, do everything in our power to make sure that our children become the best version of themselves through being active and learning balanced nutritional habits.

MM: If you could give the person reading this advice on the first thing they should do to start leading a more healthy lifestyle, what would it be?
SB:Start drinking more water and walk more! These two very easy additions to any lifestyle that can reap tremendous health benefits.

MM: Anything else you want to add?
SB: I love Houston! Even though I wasn't born here, this city helped me reach all of my accomplishments both personally and professionally. I want nothing more than to be able to give something back to my adopted hometown!

In 2017, Becic wrote ReSYNC Your Life: 28 Days to a Stronger, Leaner, Smarter, Happier You.

Mike McGuff profiled in Health Fitness Revolution

"The joke among TV employees and some viewers is that all the stations are number one in the ratings now"

I know, I know, you don't care what I think. You just come here to read about Houston media news - usually before it is posted anywhere else. I know my strengths.

However, I wanted to thank Health Fitness Revolution's Samir Becic for a nice profile on your humble blogger.

Read my thoughts on Houston media, the new KPRC 2 Houston Life show, all the way to best places to take kids in Houston. The only addition I have to make to this article is that when I was interviewed, Houston was market 10. Days after it was published, Houston moved up to the 8th Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA).

And based on the title of Becic's site, naturally the state of Houston's fitness comes up.

READ IT HERE

Notice I am still flying the 101 KLOL flag in the photo! Hail to the Runaway Radio. This is actually the photo my 7 year old son took of me! This article was published prior to the death of Jim Pruett.

Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2024

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

One of Houston Press Best Bets this week is Wednesday's screening of "Runaway Radio," the 101 KLOL documentary! BUY TICKETS (with KLOL cast Q&A)

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DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Morning anchor "Good Day" Lauren Przybyl celebrates 15 years with FOX 4 KDFW.

NBC 5 KXAS morning anchor Laura Harris celebrates six years. 

CBS News Texas KTVT reporter Caroline Vandergriff celebrates 5 years with the station.

James Hartley leaves the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after 5 years.

Mesquite ISD’s radio station reaches 40th year.

UT Dallas Student Journalists Strike, Allege Retaliation for Palestine Encampment Coverage.

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HOUSTON

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FOX 26 KRIV weekend anchor Tom Zizka celebrates 26 years with the station.

abc13 KTRK director Jeff Davis celebrates 25 years with the Disney station.

It’s the 6th anniversary of FOX 26 KRIV's "WakeUp! With Sally Mac and Lina." 

Meteorologist Caroline Brown celebrates 4 years with KPRC 2.

Free bilingual newspaper launches in Denver Harbor to civically engage Latino community.

Samir Becic, Houston’s renowned Fitness Czar, achieved a historic milestone by receiving the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN) Hero Award in Washington D.C.

Houston Landing hires eight journalists, launches strategic vision.

Texans snag comeback win moments before KHOU goes haywire.

Alison Young joins the Houston Landing as Associate Editor for Investigations.

Hanna Holthaus joins the Houston Landing as City Hall reporter.

Josh Innes, who has hosted shows at three different Houston sports radio stations, lost his gig on St. Louis radio in August and says he’d love to find a new spot back in Houston.

Producer Erica "Young" Cook leaves KPRC 2 after two decades.

Former KPRC 2 executive producer Louis Lochte joins HCA Florida Healthcare as Division Director of Media Relations.

KPRC 2 Assignment Editor Erika Ramirez joins the Houston Police Department as Public Information Officer.

Lucila Decia joins FOX 26 KRIV as a producer for weekend morning newscasts from CW39 KIAH.

Andy Katsafanas has been promoted to Local Sales Manager at Space City Home Network.

Sports Radio 610 KILT Settles Into Its New Home.

Wonderful World of the Cork - KHUL-FM, 1965.

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SAN ANTONIO

1200 WOAI and The Joe Pags Show News Anchor Cari Laque Reveals Cancer Diagnosis.

James Andrew ‘DJ Felli Fel’ Corrine debuts a new syndicated show on Univision Hip Hop “98.5 The Beat” KBBT.

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AUSTIN

Restaurant Critic Patricia Sharpe to Retire After Fifty Years at Texas Monthly.

Jeremy Campbell is the Sr. News Director at Spectrum News Texas. For the past three months, he has been filling in as Interim Director. Larissa Cartwright left the position earlier this year. 

How FOX 7’s Tierra Neubaum Became the Top TV Personality in Austin.

Evening anchor Rebecca Thomas celebrates 9 years with FOX 7 KTBC.

Morning anchor John-Carlos Estrada celebrates five years with CBS Austin KEYE.

Tony Catalina joins the Austin American-Statesman as Texas A&M Beat Reporter.

“Vibe 93.3” KGSR adds the “Dana Cortez Show” for mornings and Jonathan ‘Snupe’ Daniel for afternoons.

Longtime Austin radio station gets city proclamation for KOOP Day.

Austin radio host launches podcast that goes to dark places.

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Big 12 Conference Launches 24/7 FAST Channel In Partnership With Raycom Sports.

“Power 108” KWPW Waco flips to Classic Country "107.9 The Bull."

iHeartMedia has announced a trio of leadership appointments in Texas.

Erika Navarijo Is Leaving Z95 Corpus Christi.

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- Reagan Burke joins KLST San Angelo
- Fox 4 Beaumont launches new ARC local show
- Diamond Dickson joins KRIS 6 Corpus Christi
- Alejandro Sanchez joins Telemundo 40 Rio Grande Valley
- Carter Vandrasik joins KRBC Abilene
- Sonya Hill joins KNWA Northwest Arkansas
- Liz Dueweke leaves KFOX14 El Paso
- Bryce Brauneisen leaves CBS19 KYTX Tyler
- Brenda Matute leaves 12News KBMT Beaumont
- Darby Brown leaves KWTX 10 Waco
- Erika Harris returns to KFDM Beaumont

REMEMBERING

Donald "Don" Edward Peterson, 77, of League City, TX passed away.  He sold and managed radio stations for over 40 years in numerous markets, including Houston.  

Friends and former colleagues remember Dallas radio legend Sam Putney who was part of the top-rated Skip Murphy and Company Morning Show on K-104 FM in the 1990s and 2000s.

Remembering 3NEWS editor Terry Files.

- Chris Chicago of NGEN Radio has died

Stefania Okolie launches Solely Fit athletic brand

abc13 KTRK reporter Stefania Okolie starts athletic brand Solely Fit


abc13 KTRK reporter Stefania Okolie is launching her own athletic fashion line called Solely Fit.

Fitness is important for Okolie as she told Houston Fitness Czar Samir Becic's Health Fitness Revolution in 2019.

"I am motivated by many things to stay healthy," Okolie said in HFR. "For one, when I look in the mirror I like to see a strong me. I see my fitness not only through my exterior but my interior as well. What is a strong body, without a strong mentality? I strongly believe health is wealth and it starts in your mind. My happiness is fed by living a healthy life. I am also motivated by a fitness community always striving to be better."

That love and passion for working out, led the journalist to take classes on clothing design at LabelHorde while in Phoenix where she had worked for Fox 10 KSAZ.

"I wanted a black V-neck fitted crop top and like a poly nylon blend," Okolie told the In My Humble Opinion podcast. "And I couldn't find that anywhere. You know, I wanted a jumpsuit, that's like ankle length. I wanted leggings with, like, a mesh only on...it's like things that I was looking for I could never find. So I'm like, 'I'm yeah, I feel good in these, like, solid black lulu leggings and, you know, crop white shirt.' But I'm like, 'I want to elevate myself.'"

View this post on Instagram

MAKING SOLELY FIT: Today, a glimpse behind the “seams” with Solely Fit owner/designer @stefaniaokolie . What does “Solely Fit” mean? Stay tuned for our full BTS preview coming soon... • • • • #SolelyFit#Exclusive#Bold#ComfortOnEdge#Edgy#blackbusiness#blackowned#athleisure#athleticwear#fitnessredefined

A post shared by SOLELY FIT (@solely.fit) on Oct 18, 2019 at 1:04pm PDT

Back in 2018, that desire and classes led her to use her Croquis fashion sketchbook to start working on what would become Solely Fit.

"Designing it is one thing, but then you have to like, construct it to go on the human body," she told the podcast. "So you need to know every single measurement. And there's probably, per a garment, there's probably 22 measurements that you need."

Okolie said in the interview that she has learned a lot through this project including patience.

So if I ever encounter a breaking news scene and Okolie is filing a report, I am stopping to ask for a discount code!

https://www.mysolelyfit.com/
Before Fox 10 KSAZ Phoenix, Okolie worked for News 3 WTKR Norfolk, CBS 12 WPEC West Palm Beach, Florida and WRBL Columbus, GA.

Also, check out the In My Humble Opinion podcast (embedded below) to hear how Okolie had a "controversial" moment in her journalism schooling and how abc13 KTRK anchor Chauncy Glover helped land her channel 13 job!