Hottest Trainer Contestant #4: Melinda Sarkis

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Welcome to Racked Boston's search for the city's hottest trainer. Over the coming weeks, we'll profile eight smoking locals—fitness experts who not only look hot in spandex, but can make you look amazing too. Once you've gotten to know everyone, we'll host a March Madness-style showdown in which readers vote for their favorites. Let the games begin!

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Classically trained ballerina, triathlon competitor, two-time Lululemon ambassador, core fusion and spinning instructor: Melinda Sarkis really can do it all. The multi-hyphenate splits her training time between Flywheel and Exhale, teaching 12-plus classes a week in her inimitable high-energy and humorous style. "Working out should be fun!" says the New Hampshire native. "If it's fun, it's sustainable and becomes part of your life." Little wonder, then, that she incites rapturous praise from her students. Says one gushing fan, "She is fierce, spunky, loyal, dedicated — OMG is she dedicated — positive and inspiring."

Here's the crazy thing: Melinda does all this while also working full-time as a high-end residential real estate agent at Hammond Residential. One word: How? "I am very fortunate to be paid for doing things that I am very passionate about and enjoy," demurs Melinda, who also gives generous credit to her assistant.

And yet she still finds balance: a foodie who adores her Thai food, the South Bostonian also loves traveling (she once climbed to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge), paddleboarding, boxing and hanging with friends and family. She's a philanthropist, too, running the Boston Marathon four times as a member of Tedy Bruschi's Team and raising more than $100,000 for the American Stroke Association. So again, we have to ask: How? "My response is always if you want to do something, you will. No excuses!"

· Flywheel [Official Site]
· Exhale [Official Site]