February 2020 Featured Member
The man you see here, would be unrecognizable just 1 year ago. Before coming to us, he lost about 100lbs. On. His. Own. He changed his lifestyle habits and started working out.
As you read further, you'll read that James gives us a bunch of credit for helping him become who he is today. When in fact, the credit belongs to him. He did it. We just pushed, encouraged, and nagged on him a little each day. (We don't even need to verbally push him anymore, now we just need to give him the look when he wants to 'Mamby Pamby')
What he doesn't know is that we were a little ambivalent in the beginning. Taking on a client with a condition we knew very little about, and even less on how to train a client with such restrictions... no, not restrictions, but barriers. Barriers that needed to get knocked down! We couldn't have done it without your resilience.
He now enjoys rock climbing - something that he'd never think he'd be able to do! With all of the strength training, CNS work, and conditioning, he's able to do so much more now!
James, you're amazing. You inspire a lot of people, including us. Keep doing you. No apologies. You've taught us a lot over these last 6 months... Let's keep grinding together!
You've taught us to say no.... NO! We won't do your deadlifts for you. NO CHEATIN'!
Q. How long have you been training at LIFT?
A. I have been training at LIFT for 6 months.
Q. What made you decide to try LIFT?
A. In January 2019, I decided to get healthy. Really healthy. To take back my life. No matter what it took. I made a commitment to myself, and to others who agreed to support me, encourage me, and hold me accountable for what I said I wanted. I was at another gym, at first, twice a week, nursing a badly damaged calf. Later, I went nearly every day, still just 30 minutes on the stationary bike. I lost a lot of weight, but then I started losing muscle too. And I was bored. Then it hit me...I need to call Katie. She’ll know what to do. How to help. But I was still under contract at the other gym. What to do? Then I remembered...”Whatever I have to do!“ I doubled up on paying for 2 gym memberships for 1 month, leaving the other behind and joining LIFT. A difficult decision at the time, but now...Wow...what a great decision! I’ve never looked back. With Katie and Matt, I was never bored, I just kept losing the unwanted, and gaining. Gaining muscle. Gaining strength. Gaining flexibility. Stability. Confidence.
Q. In your opinion, what makes LIFT different than any other gym?
A. Hands down, Katie and Matt, and the culture they have created, is what makes LIFT different. No judgement. Come as you are, when you want...we will be there waiting...to help you be the next best version of yourself that you can possibly be! And we will do it with skill, grace, and a willing heart.
Q. What has been your biggest accomplishment since joining?
A. Becoming stronger. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. And, yes, physically. I have reached ALL of the goals I set in 2019 and so much more. I’m not sure how Matt and Katie do this, making themselves available to train you between 4:30 AM and 9:00 PM, whenever YOU want to come, but it must be because they love what they do. They love serving this community. They love us.
Q. What are some of your goals that you wish to achieve in the next 6 months?
A. In the previous 6 months, Matt and Katie (and this amazing member family!) have taken me from “stuck in a rut” to the top of mountains I could not even see 6 months ago. In the next 6 months I am confident we can go from Finally Heathy to Elite Level Fitness.
Q. What is something you'd tell someone just joining LIFT?
A. Ultimately, we are all responsible for our own health. No one will work harder than the trainers here to help you set and achieve any goal you can dream up! They will help you figure everything out so that all you have to focus on is getting to the next best version of yourself. Customized exercise plans. Nutritional support (this is big!). Emotional support. Heart-felt encouragement. They have been where you’re at. Just trust them, they will take you to where they are now...or anywhere you want to go. The sky is the limit!
Q. If there was a workout that you could make your trainers do, what exercises would it include?
A. Single-arm Burpees. But not Katie-Only Matt :)
Q. Any additional things you'd like to share?
A. I have Cerebral Palsy. It affects every muscle on the left side of my body. One of the most remarkable and totally unexpected benefits of training at LIFT has been Matt and Katie’s expertise in isolating these muscles and reversing the atrophy in the muscles affected by the Cerebral Palsy. I am building muscle for the first time. It is so exciting! I am so much more flexible, stable, and balanced on my feet. I’ve never talked about this with anyone before last year. I talk about it now in the hope that it will encourage you if you have ANY kind of challenge that has kept you from considering joining a gym. I am doing things that, 6 months ago, I could not have possibly imagined. Now it’s real. And LIFT can do it for you. Matt and Katie can’t wait to meet you. I can’t wait to meet you. Come join the LIFT family!