Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny & Min Min Valenti.
Hi Johnny & Min Min, 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?
Sun Qi Fitness: A Journey Rooted in Tradition, Expertise, and Innovation. The story of Sun Qi Fitness begins with two dedicated Qi Gong masters, Min Min Sun Valenti and Johnny Valenti, whose shared passion for martial arts and fitness set the foundation for this unique fitness program.Min Min was born in Taipei, Taiwan, where from a young age she was immersed in disciplined forms of movement like Chinese folk dance and ballet. Her journey took her from Taiwan to the United States, where she completed an associates degree in International Business in Taipei before earning a bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa. Alongside her academic achievements and professional work as an actuary, Min Min’s dedication to fitness never wavered. Inspired by her father, Jung Sun, a military man in China and Taiwan who was trained in martial arts, Min Min sought out master teachers in Taiwan to deepen her Tai Chi skills, embracing styles such as Yang and Chen. She also expanded her fitness repertoire to include yoga, kickboxing, aerobics, and martial arts throughout her life in America.Johnny Valenti’s path was shaped in the vibrant, close-knit neighborhood of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. From age 13, Johnny trained in karate under Sensi Gerald A. Ruggiero, whose mentorship he cherishes to this day. Inspired by Bruce Lee’s skills, Johnny’s passion for martial arts grew alongside his academic pursuits, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University. His professional career as a consultant took him to Dallas, Texas,where he specialized in tax and revenue recovery and acted as a liaison for over two decades between government agencies and major corporations. In 1989, Johnny met Min Min, marking the beginning of a shared journey. Together, they traveled to Taiwan practicing Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Kung Fu, further honing their discipline and skills.For the past 35 years, Johnny and Min Min have mastered diverse martial arts styles, including Shaolin Kung Fu and several animal styles such as the snake, crane, panther, tiger, and dragon. They also trained in Israeli self-defense, addressing modern-day needs for preparedness in potentially threatening situations. Their shared expertise led them to create Sun Qi Fitness— dynamic, high-energy fitness program built on the fusion of their collective knowledge.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Just as Sun Qi Fitness was hitting its stride, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced many businesses to close their doors including Sun Qi Fitness.
This presented a new challenge. Turning adversity into opportunity, Johnny and Min Min created an entirely new virtual aspect of their business. Using Facebook groups to stream live Tai Chi and Kung Fu classes, they brought their teaching directly into the homes of their students, who were confined to their own spaces. This virtual platform, especially favored by many senior students practicing Tai Chi, exceeded all expectations. To this day, the virtual classes remain a vital part of Sun Qi Fitness.Now virtual classes are complementing the in-person training for both Kung Fu and Tai Chi once businesses resumed when the pandemic ended. These programs embody the best of Johnny and Min Min’s combined experiences, having carefully refined their system to omit ineffective techniques and outdated philosophies, focusing instead on practical and effective fitness for their students.Today, Sun Qi Fitness remains committed to its mission to provide a bright, effective fitness solution tailored for busy lifestyles, empowering students with the benefits of tradition, skill, and modern innovation.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
provide fitness solutions using tai chi kung fu and qi gong with modern philosophies that fit the American lifestyle
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Johnny: I became interesed in martial arts at a very young age. My Dad’s best friend was a black belt which was pretty rare back in the early 1960s. My Dad needed some college credits for his degree which he was working on at night after his job. He took a photography class and decided to take some still photos of him and his buddy doing some karate poses. Next thing you know they started practicing together in our Brooklyn basement! I was immediately intrigued. Then while other kids were waiting for Batman to come on TV, I was waiting for the Green Hornet but only for Kato who of course was played by Bruce Lee. I was completely hooked by the time I was 8yrs old. It really shaped my life activities.
Min Min: I was raised in a Chinese culture family where discipline played an important role by my parents/ schools. I remembered being punished by my teacher and my father if I did not act or score in a proper way, sometimes having to stand in line and get slapped on my hands when my math score was below the standard satisfaction. . My father would punish me when I acted up as well. All of that discipline encouraged me to train and learn harder later on in my life. Thus, I would say my childhood memory (discipline) guided/ influenced me to become a martial artist later in my life and looking back I really appreciate and respect my parents and teachers methods because without that, I might not have pursued this lifestyle which I really love and enjoy to this day.
Pricing:
- Pricing – virtual monthly membership $60 no contracts monthly per person no contracts
- in-person group training $60
- Private lessons $75 per training hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunqifitness.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunQiFitness/
