TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
I live in Andersonville with my husband, Dan, and my two dogs, Woodrow and Vedder. I work from home and am part of the merchant care team at a third-party logistics company based in Chicago, supporting small to mid-size businesses manage and grow their operations. When I’m not working, you can find me watching true crime documentaries, trying new recipes, listening to vintage records, walking my dogs around the neighborhood, and continuously searching for the perfect pair of leggings.
WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO TRAINING AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
Throughout my life, I’ve always been focused on working non-stop and emotional avoidance. It wasn’t until 2020 when the world went into lockdown that I was finally forced to slow down and confront the things I had been avoiding. It was a turning point for me, a moment when I had to choose between giving up or fighting back. In January of 2022, I entered into an intense program where I received a diagnosis and treatment for addiction, PTSD, and depression. Without a doubt, it was the most challenging six months of my life. Shortly after, I lost my dog Buddy, who had been my everything for thirteen years. After caring for him during his illness, his absence created a painful emptiness. I didn’t know how to navigate life without him. Two weeks after losing my Bud, I decided to walk through the doors of Hardware, and it was the best decision I ever made for me. Grief brought me to Hardware, but the incredible impact it has on my mental health and the people is what keeps me coming back.
WHAT ARE YOUR FITNESS GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
Since I started working again and had to switch to 7 am, my focus has been to get my butt out of bed and to class at least 3 days a week. I promised myself back in November that if I could consistently make 3 classes a week for 4 weeks, I would switch back to unlimited, which I’ll be doing in February! Overall my main goal has always been to keep showing up for myself.
WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED AT HARDWARE THAT MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?
I’ll never forget the first time I was in a class where we had to do box jumps, and instead of a box, I could only jump onto a 45 lbs plate. I remember thinking I would never be able to jump on to a box, let alone RX a wod. It definitely feels surreal and pretty great to be able to do both. I often look back at my results in btwb from when I first started, and it’s hard to believe how much stronger I’ve gotten in a year and a half. And on top of that, I made some amazing new friends in my 40s, which is an accomplishment I’m truly proud of!
FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Deadlifts and squats forever! Although cleans have been growing on me!
LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Anything where I need to be up side down. Turkish-get ups. Also, double-unders. Also, running.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT HARDWARE?
Embrace consistency, rather than relying on motivation. Keep track of your progress with the help of apps like btwb, and revel in the satisfaction of seeing how far you’ve come. When Coach Dana says, “rest is crucial” believe him! Once I started prioritizing rest while committing to a steady routine of 3 to 4 days a week, my performance and energy levels improved wildly. Hardware is a safe space for any skill level. Everyone is welcoming, supportive, and always ready to cheer you on!