fast facts

name : Leanne Murakami
hometown : Los Angeles, CA
age : 42
favorite Split flavor : Almond Butter and Raspberry
dream Split flavor : Almond Butter and Mango
how do you Split? : My favorite is a Banana "Split"! I can use 2 Split flavors for an awesome dessert.

 

What do you do for work?

I am an Assistant General Manager at Baltaire, an award-winning restaurant on LA's Westside.

What do you do for fun?

I love triathlons. The mental and physical challenge helps to get me out of my comfort zone and pushes me in every aspect.

Do your "worlds" ever cross over?

I really have to be able to multitask in both – always looking ahead to the next task at hand, as well as staying calm and in control.

Why and how do you use Split in each of your "personalities"?

I love to use Split before a big training session, as well as for my post-workout snack. On long runs or rides I get another one in at the halfway point to keep my fuel level up! At work I’ll snack on it during shift, when I don't have time for anything else. As a Mom, there's no better go-to for our family. We keep one in my glove compartment and in my purse at all times, for whenever we're out and about!

 

What is your biggest passion – what excites you and motivates you?

My daughter motivates me to push harder every day, and I love showing her that you can do anything you put your mind to. You may fail but it's the recovery in the failure – just need to bounce back and keep trying.

How do you make your community better?

Chefscycle is a group of chefs and others from the restaurant industry that help raise money to keep breakfast and lunch available in schools, ensuring that every kid is properly nourished. We ride 300 miles over 3 days to help raise funds and awareness.


I participate in an annual triathlon to raise money for the Children's Hospital, which has a special place in our heart. My daughter has some medical issues and when no one else believed in us, they did. The teams there helped us to determine that Leina had a few difficulties and taught us how to manage them, so I'm extremely happy that I can help support them in making the same difference for other families.


I'm also involved with my PTO – most gym, music and art classes in LA public schools are funded by the PTO or PTA organizations. We run a variety of fundraising events throughout the year to support programs that I believe are vital for kids to have access to!