“Introducing Desiree Pagliuso, Personal Trainer, Wife to Professional Muay Thai Fighter, Joey Pagliuso and Mother of 3”

Photography and Story by Breanna Armstrong

Full Name: Desiree Pagliuso

Occupation: Personal Trainer/Mom & wife

Hometown: Glendora, CA

Current location: Riverside, CA

How do you stay fit? Sprints, Bootcamp classes, and doing Muay Thai pad work with my husband, Joey Paglius

What is the best part about being a personal trainer? Best part is seeing bodies change, seeing the results and seeing people make positive health changes in their life.

What got you into Martial Arts? It all started as dates with my husband when we were dating. The gym would be closed and we would do drills and workout together, I became addicted ever since.

What is the best part about being married to a professional fighter? The best part is going through the journey of training and cutting weight with him. I feel like a part of the fight, having a huge hand in the process. I take on the challenge head on with his nutrition, keeping his fuel and energy up but still focused on the fight weight he committed to as well.

What are your future goals? My goals are to be healthy and have a successful marriage. To raise God loving, God fearing kids that know we love them. Also to keep growing and learning in who I am and always work on being happy, successful, and balanced.  

How do you balance all of your roles including being a mother of 3? I always have to check in with myself on this one. If I see one of my children acting up I take less time for myself and focus on that child. I always put my husband and kids in front of my work. I know God will bless me financially no matter what I put my effort toward so I refuse to cut my family short for money. If I find myself becoming unhappy, I have gotten really creative with my time. From a spontaneous massage or just picking up a magazine and enjoying it in silence. My husband and I also made date nights a weekly priority. We need to keep our friendship strong and separate from our business or parenting roles.

What is one thing that you want to be known by? Fun. I want to be known as a fun mom, fun wife, fun to work out with, fun to hang out with, just fun. Enjoying every moment of life is always a refreshing feeling.

What is the most exciting thing about being in MMA Hawaii Magazine? My biological side is Hawaiian and to be recognized by who you are is so exciting. MMA has grown so big, that being in any part of that industry is huge. Hawaii to me is O’hana, so for me this is a huge mark on my life timeline to be a part of this.

Favorite workout? My favorite workout is anything I can get my sweat on doing! I love doing burpees. I am known as the burpee lover in my bootcamp classes at our gym, USKO in Rverside, CA. My husband is such a great teacher. He teaches children and adults Muay Thai and karate. So getting individual time with him and hitting the pads with him is by far the best workout and stress reliever ever.