How and when did you start working out?
When I was in high school, I did a little bit of personal training with Courtney, but I was never very consistent, and it didn’t last very long. Then almost 4 years ago (this April) I signed up for bootcamp at Full Throttle. I had no idea what I was getting into, and I was absolutely terrified. I started going to classes and ended up loving it! I kept up bootcamp classes all that spring/summer, and after I got more comfortable, I tried out some different classes like spin, kettlebell, yoga, etc.… About 5-6 months after joining the gym, I went to an into to powerlifting session. Somehow Courtney convinced me to try it out and so I started adding some lifting into my workout routine as well! Now 4 years later, I’m still around!
How did you become interested in exercise/fitness/nutrition?
What got me interested in the beginning was that I knew I needed a lifestyle change. As a kid I was never athletic. I didn’t play any sports and so as I got older, physical activity became less and less in my life and I knew I needed to find something that worked for me. I also noticed that my eating habits were less (very much less) then ideal. As I started my fitness/nutrition journey, what kept me interested was the changes I noticed in my life, and I realized how big the power of exercise and healthy eating really was. What are your goals and reasons for exercising?
My main reason for exercise is what is does for me not only physically, but mentally as well. As someone who struggles a lot with mental health, I know that I would not be the person I am today without exercise. As cliché as it sounds, it really has changed my life. There is no better feeling then crushing a really good workout after a bad day. Or those days when all you want to do is eat junk food and watch tv, but instead you get a good workout in, totally changes your mood! As far as goals go with exercise, I think my biggest goal is to be consistent. You will not see results without being consistent. That being said, there is no way to be consistent without balance in your life. So, I guess my goal would be to have balance and keep exercise as part of my lifestyle. Another goal I have is to continue to grow as well as try knew things! I love the feeling I get after finally mastering a hard move or upping your weights after putting in so much work. I also love trying new types of exercise and I always want to be learning.
What do you consider to be your biggest fitness achievements? I think my biggest achievements would be my PR’s in Powerlifting. They are something I am very proud of as I worked really hard to get there. My squat PR is 220 lbs, deadlift is 250 lbs and bench press is 115 lbs. Another big achievement for me is completing some 5k runs.
What type of workouts do enjoy?
There are SO many different types of workouts that I do and love its so hard to pick my favorites! Powerlifting will always be on my list, but I’ve also grown to love Crossfit & Olympic lifting, Kettlebell, running, yoga, Pilates and HIIT training. I could go on, but those are the top ones that come to mind!
What is the best part about training at Full Throttle? The people for sure!! We call it our Full Throttle Family, and that is exactly what it is. We have the most supportive, friendly, loving, and fun group of members, and although I may be biased I don’t think any gym comes close to Full Throttle. There is never I day walk into the gym that I don’t get greeted by smiles, jokes, laughs & hugs and they make every workout so much fun (even the ones you feel like are going to kill you!) Oh, and the baby snuggles are pretty great too!
What made you decide to start a career in fitness? The main reason I wanted to have a career in fitness was because I love to help people! I wouldn’t be where I am today without Courtney and all of the other staff we have had at Full Throttle, and I knew that I wanted to be that person for someone else too. Knowing that I can help someone change their life and make them the best version of themselves is a pretty great thing! I also love fitness and everything about it so it’s a no brainer that I can use that love & knowledge and pass it on to others!
What do you enjoy about teaching fitness? My favorite part about teaching is seeing the improvements and achievements in everyone! I feel so proud whenever I see clients work so hard and get the results they are looking for, or hit that goal that they’ve wanted for so long! I also love when my clients enjoy it as much as I do!
What changes in exercise and nutrition have you made in the last few months? Over the last few months I have made some major changes in my exercise routine. While I took a break from Powerlifting for a while, I have finally gotten back into it. I have also started incorporating more CrossFit, and I have added a lot more cardio. I have also become a lot more consistent with my exercise over the last few months, and have noticed major changes physically as well as mentally, and improvements in my workouts. As far as nutrition goes, I have made it a point to make more meals at home instead of eating out, and I try to incorporate more vegetables, fruit, and whole foods in my diet instead of packaged or processed foods. I’m also always trying to up my water intake!
What are your future fitness goals?
Fitness goals that I have right now is compete in Powerlifting again. I got away from lifting in the last year and I have missed it so much, the feeling of competing is so amazing I can’t wait until I can do it again! I also want to work up to a half marathon for the fall. Running is something that has always been hard for me. Cardio was never my thing, but I am growing to love running, and a half marathon is a really big goal of mine.
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