From Leo to Eliyah Aryeh: Sher Fitness Inspires with Her Bold Embrace of Jewish Identity

Well known fitness coach and social media personality Sher Fitness moved her followers with a heartfelt post explaining why she decided to change her three-year-old son’s name from Leo to a Jewish name — Eliyah Aryeh.

The timing, she noted, was not random. In these turbulent times, when many Jews around the world face growing hostility and often hide their identity, Sher felt called to take the opposite step: to embrace her roots publicly and proudly. “These days, when some people are hiding their Judaism, I felt this was the right time to listen to my heart,” she wrote. “To give my son a name that feels holy and right — a Jewish name.”

Choosing a Name of Meaning and Light

Sher shared that the idea had been in her heart for a long time. She had always wanted to give her son a more spiritual, Hebrew name that reflected holiness and connection. “After learning about the meanings of names and Hebrew letters in Judaism, I understood even more how powerful a name can be — how deeply it shapes a person’s soul and destiny,” she explained.

Thus, Leo — a name that means “lion” in Latin, naturally evolved into Eliyah Aryeh, combining strength and divine connection: Eliyah (meaning “My God is Hashem”) and Aryeh (lion).

Faith, Light, and National Pride

Sher posted her message on a day of remembrance, adding that her choice carried a symbolic message of hope and unity. “On this day of memory, we will defeat darkness through light,” she wrote. “The Israelites in Egypt were redeemed because they didn’t change their names — and we too won’t run from the truth. You can run from anything, but not from the Creator.”

She ended her post with a prayer: “With God’s help, may we also be redeemed through our closeness to the Creator.”

What began as a personal choice resonated widely. Sher’s post quickly went viral among Israelis and Jewish communities abroad, inspiring thousands who felt the same longing to reconnect with their heritage.

Her words serve as a reminder that in uncertain times, identity, light, and spiritual courage can be acts of quiet resistance, and powerful sources of unity.