Moms and Dads

Julia Bonoan: On Fitness, Family, and the Power of Being Present

by Alexa Villano
May 19, 2025

Fitness coach, athlete, model, and host Julia Sucgang-Bonoan shares why fitness is non-negotiable for her and her family

If you look into her Instagram account, you’ll see how Julia Sucgang-Bonoan values the importance of a holistic lifestyle. She and her husband, Enzo Bonoan, bonded through fitness, joining marathons and competitions. But like everyone else, Julia also had her struggles before reaching where she is now in her fitness journey.

The Fitness Journey

In her 20s, Julia, like many, lived through late nights and a lack of sleep, even while balancing the demands of being an athlete. Eventually, she transformed her lifestyle, leading her to join competitions like Body Con 8.0 in 2023, Gold’s Gym Philippines, and Super Bods 2024 with Enzo.

She credits Enzo and their daughter, Frankie, for motivating her to become the best version of herself.

Fitness coach, athlete, model, and host Julia Sucgang-Bonoan shares why fitness is non-negotiable for her and her family — Photo from enzobonoan24 and iamramonajulia

“I wanted to give my best self to them. Like in any journey, my fitness journey after giving birth was tough. I battled through my insecurities and postpartum depression by giving myself more grace—believing that I’m doing the best I can, in the best way I know how,” she explains.

“I focused on being 1% better every day, whether moving more, swapping out simple carbs for complex carbs, drinking more water, or sleeping longer.”

Joining fitness competitions also strengthened her bond with Enzo. They were part of a Frisbee team and joined KIX Asia R U Tough Enough in 2019. One of their most memorable competitions to date was Super Bods 2024, where they were finalists.

“All our experiences joining fitness competitions were great opportunities to grow together and work toward shared goals,” Julia shares. “Being on the same page when it comes to health meant prioritizing sleep, sticking to our macros, eating clean, and staying active. With each goal we pursued, we showed love by staying accountable to each other.”

When Enzo became a finalist at Mister Pilipinas Worldwide in April, Julia cheered for him.

Fitness is also something they hope Frankie embraces. She has joined a few of the marathons her parents participated in. In one reel, Julia captured a sweet moment of Frankie running beside them, already showing signs of joining the family’s active lifestyle.

“Treating fitness as a non-negotiable not only benefits my physical and mental health,” Julia says, “But also supports my daughter’s growth.”

Attending to Frankie

When you’re a mom to a toddler, most of your time and attention revolve around them. Despite her full schedule, Julia makes it a point to be fully present for Frankie.

“I’d like to think I’m a supportive parent – giving her the space to explore and even make mistakes,” she says. “Now that she’s at the age where she can easily mirror what I say and do, I’m more mindful of modeling the right attitude, language, and behavior, especially during tough moments.”

She describes herself as an intentional parent, constantly learning and evolving as Frankie grows.

“My job as a fitness professional has made me more open to learning. As fitness evolves, so do parenting techniques. That openness keeps me growing—as a coach and a mom.”

In today’s digital world, Julia also makes an effort to be intentional with technology use, especially now that Frankie can access media.

“Since exposure to social media is inevitable, I use it as a way to connect with her—watching our family reels together, going through photos, and recalling happy memories.”

“I also make sure to model good screen habits. I set my phone aside during playtime so she knows she matters more than any notification. As her primary caregiver, I never want her to feel overlooked.”

She also launched a YouTube channel where she teaches English and Filipino content for kids.

A Holistic Family

Julia and Enzo believe that peace begins with well-being – physical, mental, spiritual, and financial.

“We aim to achieve peace of mind by staying healthy, being financially stable, and staying spiritually grounded,” she explains. “Building a strong foundation for ourselves individually helps us build a solid foundation for our family.”

With more families investing in their health, Julia emphasizes that real change starts with lifestyle choices.

Treat fitness as a non-negotiable by building healthier eating habits, getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep, and increasing your daily movement,” she advises. “Being intentional with your goals is key.”

More than anything, she advocates being truly present with your children.

“It’s not just about quality time or quantity—it’s about both. When we increase how often we’re present and fully engaged with our kids, it strengthens our bond in profound ways.”

Julia also reminds parents to give themselves grace.

“No one is perfect. But if our children see us continuing to grow and strive to be better, they’ll be inspired by our effort and our hunger for growth.”

“Believe in your capability—even when it’s hard,” she adds. “And surround yourself with people who believe in you, too, and who are just as committed to being present parents.”