Today, we're thrilled to shine the spotlight on one of our incredible gym members, Andrea! 💪✨ Each week, we celebrate the inspiring journeys of individuals who have embraced fitness and wellness, transforming their lives in remarkable ways.
Join us as we share some of Andrea's inspiring story, filled with perseverance, dedication, and incredible achievements.
1. What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and how has it impacted your life since then?
I’ve always had a passion for fitness. When I was in college I made the decision to take on the commitment of training for, and running my first marathon - Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. Once I committed, I started exploring and learning about the many incredible opportunities I could take advantage of to become more involved and make the experience more than just a race (and personal challenge). I was introduced to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Team and Training running club. With this group, I trained for the race and raised money benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I immediately felt a connection and passion for this cause and community. I had the privilege of meeting the children battling cancer and their parents at the team dinner the night before the marathon. Each family was open and shared their story and vulnerability about the struggles they were fighting to overcome. Hearing each family’s experience first-hand was a pivotal moment that not only made a lasting impact on my heart, but also quickly put into perspective how blessed I was to be healthy.
This experience had a profound impact on all aspects of my life and transformed my journey and relationship with fitness. I’ve developed lifelong friendships through the unique experience group fitness provides, and have been able to push myself to overcome the physical and mental challenges of completing additional marathons & ½ marathons. In addition to this, I expanded my reach for fitness by completing my certification as a Yoga instructor, and participating in wellness retreats.
2. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
When I had my oldest son in 2016, I went through the whirlwind of emotions all new parents are hit with, and the feeling of being overwhelmed was no exception! Learning how to navigate my new life as a mother and the responsibilities that came along with it was a major challenge on its own. Figuring out how to balance motherhood while making sure I didn’t neglect my own physical and mental health instilled many feelings of guilt. Acclimating to this new way of life forced me to be more intentional with my time and also required me to change my mindset and realize that investing this time in myself was ultimately investing time in the wellbeing of family.
3. How has your perception of health and fitness changed as you've gotten older?
My perception of health and fitness has evolved significantly throughout the years. Prior to becoming part of the BMT community I was solely focused on cardio based workouts. If I finished a workout and my heart rate wasn’t sky high, I would leave feeling unsatisfied and lacking confidence that the hour I had just invested in wasn’t as worthwhile as it could have been. When I initially joined BMT, I quickly realized that the structure of the workouts was not focused on cardio. Shifting focus to a program structured more around strength-based work was different and had me feeling very much outside of my comfort zone (I was so uncomfortable that I continued to pay for two gym memberships because I wasn’t confident this style of training was for me). I decided to give BMT a fair chance and within just a few months the changes I was seeing and feeling became apparent. Over the past year I’ve redirected my focus towards better understanding the crucial role nutrition plays in everyday life and the impact it has on my overall health and wellness. This fall I went through nutrition coaching with,Kate at BMT and I’m still amazed at how much I learned. It was so interesting to learn and understand what our bodies need to function properly and truly fascinating to realize what they are capable of achieving!
4. What advice would you give to other women in their 40s+ who are hesitant to start their fitness journey?
Just start! It may feel uncomfortable at first, but understand that discomfort often leads to growth. Find a community or group where you can connect with like-minded individuals who can offer support and motivation along your path. I’m forever grateful for the group of people I workout with at BMT and the trainers. I’m encouraged and pushed every day to get uncomfortable and to try hard things. Figure out what days and times work for you and stick with it. You will start to see the same people if you pick the same days and times, and these will be your people!
5. Can you share a specific moment or achievement that made you realize how far you've come on your fitness journey?
I’ve come a long way in my fitness journey over the years. Progress in lifting weights and seeing improvements in strength has been extremely rewarding and motivating for me. To look back and see how different my workouts are now vs. what they used to be is a big achievement for me!
