JOE THIBODEAU IS CONSTANTLY PUSHING ME AND HAS HELPED TO BUILD MY CONFIDENCE.
Who is your trainer?
Joe Thibodeau
What makes him/her so special as a trainer?
I had never trained before my first session with Joe. I was nervous and had no idea what I was doing but Joe was patient and has taught me so much. He is constantly pushing me and has helped to build my confidence.
Occupation details:
Revenue Manager
Relationship status:
Single
Fitness Goals:
I’d like to continue to build muscle and lower my body fat percentage.
Complete Bio:
I am a 35 year old female and work as a revenue manager for a vacation rental company in Destin, FL. I moved here 5 years ago from Indianapolis. I graduated from IU.
Training Plan:
I do HIIT three days a week, train with Joe three days a week, lift on my own 2-3 days a week and dance 3 days a week.
Thoughts on HIIT, Power lifting, TRX, Yoga, bodybuilding, other:
I love lifting and training with Joe. It’s been amazing to see the progress that I have made over the last year and a half. I couldn’t believe the results and changes in my body composition when I added HIIT classes to my routine.
Nutritional & Supplements:
I use Magnum Heat, Magnum E-Brake, and Magnum Pre Fo. Crissy introduced me to macros and it has helped me keep my nutrition on track.
I’M INSPIRED ON A DAILY BASIS BY THE PEOPLE THAT I COME INTO CONTACT WITH AT THI BOD.
Special skills?
I have attempted to think of an answer for this question for a few days and I keep coming back to nunchuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills…I can’t get Napoleon Dynamite out of my head (now my answer for #10 makes sense).
What do your parents mean to you? What did they teach you?
My parents are a huge part of my support system and have encouraged me throughout my fitness journey. They call daily to see how my workouts are going!
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
Status doesn’t just cater to competitive athletes. It is inclusive of all levels of fitness!
What would it mean to you to become the next Status Fitness Cover-model?
It would be amazing but I would wonder if they ran out of other candidates.
If you could ask Status Editor-In-Chief, Rodney Jang one question what would that be?
I would ask him what made him decide to get involved in the fitness industry and what he enjoys most about his job.
What was it like working with Warren from Healthy Vision Photography?
I was extremely nervous about the photoshoot but Warren made me feel at ease. He made it fun but was very professional. I just listened to everything he told me to do and I appreciated the guidance.
6 things people would not know about you:
-I had a poem published when I was in elementary school.
-I had the mumps in 2007 (despite being vaccinated).
-I must have my music and TV volume on an even number.
-I do a great Cookie Monster impression.
-I have some hippie tendencies.
-I’m a bit of a clean freak.
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired on a daily basis by the people that I come into contact with at Thi Bod. Everyone has a different story and is in a different place on their journey to fitness.
Who do you wish to inspire?
I wish to inspire anyone that is on their fitness journey and offer them the same support I have received from our Fit Fam.
I NEVER EXPECTED TO ENJOY WORKING OUT SO MUCH. I LOST THE WEIGHT I HAD GAINED BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I FEEL GREAT!
Transformation story:
I had always been in decent shape but had put on some weight and didn’t feel good about myself. I joined the gym last year and began training with Joe. I never expected to enjoy working out so much. I took it to a new level this year and decided to participate in the photoshoot. I lost the weight I had gained but more importantly, I feel great!
Life goals:
I want to continue to grow in my career and maybe try something new! I’d like to travel as much as possible.
5 lessons you have learned:
-Never give up.
-Set goals.
-Family and friends are the most important things in the world.
-Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.
-A strong support group makes a huge difference.
Music and artist you listen while training:
I tend to listen to a little bit of everything from Cardi B to Disturbed.
Favorite books and authors:
I prefer to read Patricia Cornwell or James Patterson. I’m a little bit of a nerd and could read all day long.
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
-Honesty
-Integrity
-Compassionate
-Reliability
-Scrupulous
Advice you can give to children who want to start training?
My nieces constantly tell me that I don’t HAVE to go to the gym when they ask what I’m doing and I say I have to go work out. I explain to them that they are right, I don’t HAVE to go but I WANT to go. I try to support positive body images so I make a point to let them know that I want to be strong and healthy as opposed to saying I want to lose weight.
Favorite Quotes:
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” -Winston Churchill
Kelowna, BC. The 2016 Kelowna Classic saw well over 200 competitors take to the stage at the Kelowna Community Theatre in front of a full house at the evening show. Ian Tomlin has promoted this show (formerly the Western Canada Tested) for the past 17 years and despite the number of competitors, his expertise showed as the show ran smoothly through pre-judging and finals. Congratulations goes to Ian, the British Columbia Amateur Body Building Association executive, the judging panel, the team of volunteers and the competitors.
Tested shows are nothing new in Canada, however, WADA compliant tested shows are and the British Columbia Body Building Association has recognized the need to offer the competitors of the province an Olympic level tested avenue where competitors can truly pursue their respective goals against like minded competition.
BCABBA Official photographer David Aboody was front and center photographing all the action for the competitors and as well Status Fitness Magazine. He shares, “From this reporter/photographer’s perspective, I can safely say that this show will continue to be a popular destination event on the BCABBA calendar. It has been a pleasure to have attended/covered it regularly since 2001”. Each of the winners looked great as did the entire group for that matter. What an amazing group of competitors! Very well done. Check out David Aboody’s photos below.
Industry expert David Ford caught up with a number of the competitors after the show and in this show review he goes into some detail about several of those that stood out to him.
I lasted attended the Kelowna show in 2007 and have to say I am very impressed with the growth of the tested shows, including this Kelowna event. Across Canada I am seeing more and more shows pop up. What I especially like about the direction the BCABBA is going, is that this truly is a tested event – 100% WADA compliant which is a game changer in the industry. I had a chance to view the top competitors in this show and approached a number of them to ask about their experience as a whole – including the show, meeting fellow competitors as well as the significance of doing a WADA compliant tested show. Check out several in the next section.
Joanna Dziedzic took the Bikini Overall and for good reason. I have been at hundreds of shows and know potential when I see it. She is definitely someone to watch! Joanna has an incredibly marketable look. In fact, I expect to see Joanna on the pages of industry magazines within the next year. A combination of beauty, great genetics teamed with hard work and heavy lifting over the years has helped her develop a physique suitable for Bikini on the next level.
I HAD A GREAT TIME BOTH BACKSTAGE AND ON STAGE WITH THE OTHER COMPETITORS, WHO ALL SHARE A ZEAL FOR FITNESS AND BODYBUILDING. I LOVED BEING SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MINDSET…
When asked about the show Joanna shares, “The Kelowna Classic was my first bikini competition so I had no idea what to expect come show day. Looking back, I can say that the show overall was coordinated very efficiently by the BCABBA. I had a great time both backstage and on stage with the other competitors, who all share a zeal for fitness and bodybuilding. I loved being surrounded by people with the same mindset, struggle, dedication, and will-power in preparation for the show, and I definitely know now in my heart that this is my true passion.”
I asked Joanna about her experience with the other competitors and she elaborates, “All of the competitors I met backstage were so kind and supportive! I only heard compliments on one another’s conditioning, tan, and suits during prejudging and finals – which was the opposite of the jealous cattiness I assumed. Some girls were helping others out on their posing, while others generously shared their peanut butter to those like me who forgot! I met so many wonderful, strong women who each have a story beyond their 12-week transformation, and who motivate me even more to reach my full potential both on and off the stage.”
[Joanna Dziedzic – Kelowna Classic Bikini Overall Winner – Receiving Trophy from BCABBA President Ross Duncan]
What did it mean to Joanna to compete in a WADA compliant event, she states, “Knowing that I am competing in a doping-free sporting environment makes me feel a sense of ease due to the fact that I am on equal grounds against other competitors. I am confident in knowing that I will not be judged at a disadvantage if another athlete has taken a substance to boost her proportions or tightness. Clean bodybuilding is a core value to me because I believe in the patience, hard-work, and perseverance needed to sculpt an aesthetically-pleasing physique of which the human body is naturally capable of. I find it amazing that the BCABBA has introduced this Traditional stream of competition for those who would like to stay free of banned substances and to walk on stage as a reflection of their passion for justice, equality, and integrity to the sport.”
CLEAN BODYBUILDING IS A CORE VALUE TO ME BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE PATIENCE, HARD-WORK, AND PERSEVERANCE NEEDED TO SCULPT AN AESTHETICALLY-PLEASING PHYSIQUE OF WHICH THE HUMAN BODY IS NATURALLY CAPABLE OF.
Keep an eye on Joanna as she steps on stage at the BC Cup in early June. I expect we will see her qualify for the 2016 World International Events Qualifier on June 25 in Moncton, NB.
Over the past few years there has been a few Figure competitors that stand out not only because of their shape and muscularity, but also because of their stage presence and overall marketable look. In this show it was great to see Jennifer Weintz make the switch from Bikini to Figure. I have known Jennifer for a number of years and photographed her back in 2012. It is evident she has been working hard as her shape continues to improve to impressive levels.
I asked Jennifer about her experience at this year’s show. She shares, “The Kelowna Classic is one of my most favourite shows to compete in. There were tons of helpful and friendly volunteers making sure our day ran smoothly. Everyone looked beautiful and has something special about them. It was interesting to hear people’s different stories and how much they’ve had to endure to get to that stage. YOU all are champions in my book.”
EVERYONE LOOKED BEAUTIFUL AND HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THEM. IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR PEOPLE’S DIFFERENT STORIES AND HOW MUCH THEY’VE HAD TO ENDURE TO GET TO THAT STAGE.
Competing under WADA compliant rules is an awesome opportunity for every drug free athlete regardless of the sport. I have known many genetically gifted competitors opt to do a legitimately tested show for multiple reasons. One to compete on the fairest levels possible and two, to simply prove they are clean athletes. I posed the question to Jennifer and she offers, “It feels good, however, I normally don’t pay too much attention or compare myself to other competitors as I believe that just robs your self of your own precious energy and power.”
What does Jennifer have planned next? She states, “I will be competing in the BC up on June 4, which is just 3 short weeks away. After that, it’s time to focus on my boyfriend who will be competing in July. Again, thank you everyone for all the love and support. It means more then you know.”
[Sasha Alaniemi – Figure D Winner]
Sasha Alaniemi is another very marketable Figure competitor to keep an eye on in the next few shows. Sasha shares, “The Kelowna Classic was my first show and I had an amazing experience. I had no idea what to expect, but I thought it ran quite smoothly and the volunteers were extremely helpful and great at organizing the athletes. I had so much fun and it was an unforgettable first competition. It was also great to be able to showcase all the hard work I had accomplished in the last 4 months on stage!” What was Sasha’s experience like around the other competitors? She says, “It was truly an honour to share the stage with so many other motivating and inspiring people who share the same passion as myself. I made friends with a lot of competitors over Instagram first, so meeting them in person was awesome! I also made friends with so many women back stage, and everyone was so supportive and positive that it made the experience much less stressful and nerve wracking.” Regarding stepping on stage in a WADA compliant show, Sasha offers, “It felt great knowing the competition I had at this show was fair, as I intend to only compete in the natural stream, I am glad that there is a whole stream dedicated to natural bodybuilding.”
IT WAS TRULY AN HONOUR TO SHARE THE STAGE WITH SO MANY OTHER MOTIVATING AND INSPIRING PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME PASSION AS MYSELF.
Where can we expect to see Sasha next? “I placed first in my class and was able to qualify for provincials, so I will be at the BC Cup in New Westminster on June 4, 2016 to compete once again this season. My goal is to qualify for Nationals, and from there I want to continue to work my way up, eventually earning my Pro Card. I really fell in love with the sport of body building and becoming a figure athlete has become a passion for me now. Aside from competing, I would like to get educated to become a personal trainer/nutritionist and help others reach their health and fitness goals.” It will be great to see Sasha on stage at the BC Cup. Be sure to join us in cheering her on!
[Krysten Novak – Bikini C Winner]
Going into the Kelowna show, I knew Krysten Novak was one girl to watch in Bikini. She is great on stage and possesses a nicely toned physique with great shape. What was her experience like at this show, Krysten shares, “It was a rewarding experience. I just wanted to step on stage to get out of my comfort zone. I completely exceeded my original goal.” When asked about her plans going forward, she states, “I definitely want to do the BC Cup in June. I’m looking forward to taking a long offseason to put on size, focus on strength and coming back with a better package next year.” That is always a great strategy. Too many competitors rush shows and don’t give their bodies time to heal and grow so of course the results will continue to be similar. This off season will definitely see Krysten come back in 2017 and be a threat for an overall title.
Let’s take a look at some of the other winners from the show.
[Aidan Brow – Junior Bodybuilding]
[David Gilks – Grandmaster Bodybuilding]
[Dayna Sharkey – Master Bodybuilding]
[Dan Murray – Lightweight Bodybuilding]
[Ivan Petrov – Light Heavyweight Bodybuilding]
[Jennifer Butts – Grandmaster Women’s Physique – Best Poser]
[Susan Coderre – Women’s Physique A Class]
[Heidi Gawehns – Women’s Physique B Class]
[Claude Rey – Classic Physique A Class]
[Aaron Prevost – Classic Physique B Class]
[Darren Maywood – Classic Physique C Class]
[Denise Riley – Figure A]
[Gillian Nolan – Figure B]
[Gord Broderick – Master Men’s Physique]
[Kamalpreet Gosal – Men’s Physique A]
[Robbie Stainton – Men’s Physique B]
[Eric Yip – Men’s Physique C]
[Chris Rutherford – Men’s Physique D]
[Sumita Kolppa – Grand Master Bikini A]
[Shirley Mitrou – Grand Master Bikini B]
[Ami Mills – Master Bikini A]
[Kristy MacLeod – Master Bikini B]
[Sue Heikkila – Master Bikini C]
[Claudia Lopez – Bikini A]
[Sheri Amendt – Bikini B]
[Kezzi Loewen – Bikini D]
[Tyme Wharton – Bikini E]
Thank you once again to David Aboody for his show photo coverage. If you failed to order your stage package, be sure to connect with him through email.
Our next show coverage will be from the BCABBA BC Cup. Be sure to check back and see who was selected for our review. Our last show review covered the 2016 Leigh Brandt Muscle Classic on March 19. Check out the review by clicking the banner below.
NOW THAT I AM RETIRED I WORK OUT AT LEAST 6X A WEEK WHAT I ALWAYS DREAMED OF DOING WHEN I HAD THE TIME AVAILABLE. I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.
What does being part of the ThiBod Fitness Community mean to you? It is my daily medicine, physically and mentally! It makes me feel the best I can at 61. It is my fitness family, a welcoming friendly place that keeps you coming back for more every day and it never gets old! I am so grateful I found it 7 years ago, it was the gym community we were looking to find no intimidation. It has taken me to my present fitness level at 61 years old and reinforces my future fitness goals. It keeps me motivated to keep working out daily and wanting to work out to maintain what I have developed! It keeps me feeling young it truly does! It energizes and inspires me to stay in shape. I have been 100% involved in workouts since mid-May 2012. We were empty nesters at the time, thinking about retirement, and wanted to seriously take our fitness to the next level. I was closely approaching my 55th Birthday and my husband and I wanted to find a gym to join and even get involved with Boot Camp workouts and really focus on working out more and consistently. We found Crissy at a local gym, it was a miracle and her energy and welcoming personality, made you feel comfortable, along with all the others in the class, it was so addictive, everyone was friendly and encouraging, it radiated during every class! I started doing her Zumba classes on a regular schedule and haven’t stopped in 7 years. I took her class as often as I could after work which was about 3-5 days a week including Saturday classes and blended in Yoga and Body Pump classes. A few years later I added Joe’s Boot Camp 3 times a week and it was about that time that Thibod Fitness was born and basically bumped up my workout routine to 6x a week with Boot Camps, Zumba, Yoga. Now that I have retired I work out at least 6x a week what I always dreamed of doing when I had the time available. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I do Crissy’s personal fitness 3x week, followed by the 24/7 on my own 2x week, Zumba 6x, Yoga and Stretch 3x. I have kept this schedule for about 2 years now. Working out at Thibod is my daily preventive dose of medicine to combat the ills of aging. Thibod Fitness Community is my inspiration to maintain a healthy fitness lifestyle even at 61, I have fitness friends 30, 20, 10 years younger but we all have the same fitness goals!!!
What are your 1 and 2-year fitness goals? 1 Year Goal: Continue to stay on track from the 2018 photoshoot prep and maintain a base level. Even on vacation enjoy some free time but always work out in another gym and stay in check with macro counting. My goal this year is to do another photoshoot prep and plan on even more transformation results. I am excited about this year’s Status photoshoot because I will be starting at a different fitness level. I really want to step out of my comfort zone and have even more visible definition in my muscles and be more natural in my photoshoot since it will be more familiar.
Since I am retired I have a weekly fitness schedule that I follow every day along with macro planning. I have traded my daily commitment to going to work every day to working out!
2 Year Goal: Continue working out and maintaining the base from the previous year’s success. I just want to feel good and look good at 62. Age is just a number and I want to step beyond that number and continue to feel as good as I did when I was in my 20s/30s/40s!
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER AND I WANT TO STEP BEYOND THAT NUMBER AND CONTINUE TO FEEL AS GOOD AS I DID WHEN I WAS IN MY 20S/30S/40S!
What do you feel Crissy and Joe do that sets them apart from all other trainers? They are both just the best, truly genuine, and dedicated fitness trainers and professionals. They love what they do and their passion is visible every day. They truly care about all their clients individually and want us all to succeed in our fitness journey, training and advising. They make everyone feel like family, push us to our limits, making it fun and committed. I love how their classes are a balance of training and camaraderie. I have known Crissy & Joe for the past 7 years and their love for fitness radiates every single day. Every day is an exact fitness repeat at the top energy level!!!
How did you feel about being a part of the Stats Fitness Magazine Team Feature shoot? I am excited to have this great opportunity and feel like it’s an accumulation of all my fitness goals in the last 7 years. Definitely a rewarding and awesome experience for someone who is approaching 62.
What was it like working and shooting with Warren? It was an amazing experience working with Warren, I have never done a personal photoshoot before and was a little scared. I didn’t know if I could be natural and if it would show that I was nervous. My husband and I both did 1-hour shoots and we blended a few pictures together with a theme. Warren worked with both of us at the same time and it was a great experience. Warren makes it such a comfortable natural experience. He really makes you feel special for that 1 hour of your life! Warren is really great, I can’t find the words to describe his genuine love for what he does! He must change lives daily, every time he shoots. He loves what he does and it shows in his work!!!
Roy Suarez
THE THIBOD FITNESS COMMUNITY IS WHERE MOST OF MY FRIENDS ARE AND WHERE MY SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH ARE MOORED.
What does being a part of the Thibod Fitness Community mean to you? Keeping one’s feet on terra firma is what defines being part of the Thibod Fitness family. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines “Terra Firma” as dry or solid land when compared with the sea or air. Carl Jung wrote in more poetic terms that it is the ease with which wind can carry us off of solid earth and onto uncertain waves and that it is, therefore, good to keep one foot upon terra firma. I couldn’t agree more. The Thibod Fitness Community is where most of my friends are and where my social, physical, and mental health is moored. It’s where I go to get a dose of a reality check or to a shot of encouragement on those days that I feel threaten by the forces of gluttony, laziness, and apathy. It’s also where I go when I start believing in myself too much. Because having one’s foot in terra firma means that I understand that while I might be able to reach a goal by myself, that doesn’t mean it’s the best or easiest way to achieve a goal. Friends help. Knowing that there are others who are fighting the same fight is often the only encouragement I need to not give up on myself and those words of encouragement are often all the inspiration I need to be there with a few words of encouragements for others when I feel they may need a short respite from the rigors of the fighting their own demons. Thibod Fitness is a building but it’s the Thibod family that keeps my feet firmly set in terra firma.
What are your 1 and 2-year fitness goals? My fitness goals? That’s a question that would have been so easy to answer in my younger years. At one time that my answer to that question would be to lose weight and fit back into size 36 pants. But that was then and this is now, and I know today that it’s not just about fitting into a pair of pants. If my fitness goals were merely about losing weight and I achieved that goal but lost my health would that have been a worthwhile endeavor?
Today at my age it’s so much more complicated. I really only have one goal and that is to live a long and active life as I can and to achieve that goal I have had to add many objectives. Currently, my goal has been about increasing muscle mass but for me, it’s not so much about how I look as much as it is about the physical strength that comes with that. There’s an old saying that getting old is not faint of heart and while there is no cure for aging it has been shown that muscle mass and strength do enhance the life we live. For me, this has been as much of a mental voyage as it has been a physical one. If I could reach a goal quickly then I’m likely to not appreciate or value that accomplishment fully enough to recognize its true worth. And I know my body well enough to know that accomplishments come slowly for me and that I have to be in it for the long haul.
With all that being said, my second fitness goal is to balance my physical health and fitness with all the other aspects of my life. I don’t work out just to look good, I work out so that that I live a full life and that means that I have to nurture my social life as well. I don’t live just to live. What’s the point of living a long life if you’re confined to live at the gym? So, it’s not about the length of life but the quality of the life. If my fitness goals have had to evolve to accommodate a correlation between what I do at the gym to what that gains me in all the other aspects of my life. Put into simpler terms, it’s not just about fitting into a size 36 pants anymore but where I go and what I do in those size 36 pants.
…WE KNEW THAT WITH CRISSY’S AND JOE’S HELP FITNESS WOULD BECOME A NEW WAY OF LIFE FOR US.
What do you feel Crissy and Joe do that sets them apart from all other trainers? I recognized a long time ago that everyone needs to exercise and for the most part I tried and tried but gym memberships were expensive and personal training was even more expensive. My objective was always the same, to lose weight. In between bouts of running I purchased and used most of the popular exercise equipment sold on TV from rowing machines, to NordicTrack ski exercisers, to various types of weight training benches and of course a Step Master. I had varying degrees of success with each, and of course, the weight always came back.
Then in May of 2012, my wife and I joined a gym and walked into one of Crissy’s Zumba classes. We had decided to take a week off and dedicate that time to exercise and fitness in order to kick ourselves into fitness mode for the summer. One hour later we left that class and our old lives behind. A short while later Crissy and Joe opened Thibod fitness and we changed gyms, even though it meant leaving behind a sizeable deposit. We wanted no part of our former life and we knew that with Crissy’s and Joe’s help fitness would become a new way of life for us.
It’s hard to explain what they do but whatever it is that they have, it is infectious. They pass it on to everyone in the Thibod family and it goes viral from there. It’s carried from one person in the family to another until eventually everyone is infected by this motivational force. Eventually, it develops into an epidemic of positive thinking. Soon it’s not just Crissy and Joe but the whole social network of positive thinkers that they created who become this force. In the time that positive energy becomes the panacea, you need to make it through another day at the gym and it’s the thing that keeps you coming back for more. What they have is like an infectious disease. I don’t know how they do what they do, but if I could, I would bottle and sell it.
How did you feel about being a part of the Stats Fitness Magazine Team Feature shoot? When I first learned that I was going to be in Stats Fitness Magazine Team Feature shoot, I thought about a line from the 1986 comedy called Short Circuit. In that movie, a scientist who speaks English with a thick accent sees something shocking and says to his partner, “I am standing here, besides myself.”
And that pretty much sums up my reaction. I am beside myself. I honestly never believed that I would ever be involved in a fitness program for as long as I have, much less be featured in a fitness magazine. I was always the slowest runner and I had the reflexes to match. My tortoise-like sprints could only be matched by my total lack of coordination. When I played baseball I was always the pitcher because I couldn’t catch or hit and even as a pitcher I sucked. I was basically the go-to guy when a team desperately needed a ninth player.
To make matters worse, I grew up at a time when people actually believed that “Muscle Binding” was an actual thing and kids my age were cautioned not to take up weight training or to use extreme caution with weights because we might end up as a tragic tale of the crippling effects of muscle binding.
So to have survived all that and be a part of a fitness magazine photoshoot is simply shocking and it has inspired me to work even harder on myself. I’m seven years into this health and fitness experiment and I’m still going strong. Being in Stat Fitness Magazine’s Team Feature shoot just proved that the results can come at any age if you put in the time and effort.
What was it like working and shooting with Warren? I loved working with Warren. Like most people, I had never been a part of a professional photoshoot, especially one for a fitness magazine. So naturally, I was a bit excited and nervous. Fortunately, Warren has a professional laid-back way of shooting and an eye for getting just the right shot that can hide the imperfections while accentuating the positives. And at my age that’s important. The results were more than I expected.
I EAT LEAN MEATS, AND ALWAYS HAVE A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.
What makes Becky so special as a trainer?
Becky’s energy is indescribable, she provides an amazing atmosphere to enjoy attending the gym. She is incredibly motivating, and I love that she’s working out alongside us.
Fitness Goals:
To continue to grow stronger and get leaner with more definition.
Training Plan:
I train every day. My goal is to do 45 mins cardio a day as well as weight training 4-5x a week.
Nutritional & Supplements:
I am currently not taking any supplements other than BCAAs. I eat lean meats, and always have a constant supply of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Special skills?
I professionally braid horses.
What do your parents mean to you? What did they teach you?
My parents were a strong influence on my development of a hard-working attitude. They taught me to never give up, and always follow my heart.
BECKY IS INCREDIBLY MOTIVATING, AND I LOVE THAT SHE’S WORKING OUT ALONGSIDE US.
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
Status Fitness magazine is very diverse and accepts people in all different parts of their fitness journey creating a more obtainable inspiration for the readers.
What was it like working with Warren from Healthy Vision Photography?
He was amazing, he really helped me control my nerves. I had a blast
Things people would not know about you:
Scared of the dark.
Struggled with self-confidence and anxiety my whole life.
I was bullied all of public school.
I wanted to be a quarterback.
Who inspires you?
My mom was always my biggest inspiration, she was so well-loved and known in the community. She was always upbeat and driven.
Who do you wish to inspire?
I wish to inspire my future children and the troubled teens I will be working with throughout my career.
Transformation story:
Since beginning living a healthier lifestyle at 18, I have lost 85lbs. It has been a long process but it all started from changing my diet and becoming more active. I started working at a horse farm and joined the gym. It is an essential part of my day and without my mental health begins to lack.
Why did you start your transformation and what keeps you going?
I started my transformation when I was 18, I had gained significant weight after my mom passed away when I was 15. I woke up one morning and wasn’t happy with myself and I knew I needed to do something to change that to begin to improve my mental health.
How do you keep yourself motivated to stay on track when you start to slip?
I look back at pictures before I started my weight loss journey.
I WOKE UP ONE MORNING AND WASN’T HAPPY WITH MYSELF AND I KNEW I NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THAT TO BEGIN TO IMPROVE MY MENTAL HEALTH.
Life goals:
Graduate with my bachelors in child and youth care has a family.
Lessons you have learned:
It’s ok to put yourself first. If there’s something you want, you have to make it happen as it will not come to you.
Favorite books:
Can’t Hurt Me- David Goggins
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
Integrity, honesty, motivation, good sense of humor,
Advice you can give to people who want to start training?
Even if you’re having a bad day doing something physical is better than nothing.
Favorite Quotes:
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination is strong enough to succeed.” Og Mandino
IN THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE LOST 112 LBS AND HAVE LEARNT A NEW WAY TO ENJOY LIFE.
Bio:
Landscaper and Skating Coach
What makes Becky so special as a trainer?
She sees everyone’s potential and wants everyone to succeed. She makes you feel like family
Fitness Goals:
To be healthy and toned
Training Plan:
Kangoo and weights
Nutritional & Supplements:
Magnum Primer, Fixation, Acid and E-Brake
Do you have any special go-to recipes?
Overnight Oats with Source yogurt and fruit
Special skills?
Helping others/volunteering
What do your parents mean to you? What did they teach you?
My parents mean the world to me and they have taught me that anything is possible, you just have to work for it.
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
Real everyday people
If you could ask Status Editor-In-Chief, Rodney Jang one question what would that be?
What’s the best part of your job??
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT AND HAVE THE RIGHT SUPPORT TEAM AROUND YOU.
What was it like working with Warren from Healthy Vision Photography?
Awesome, he makes it easier when you are doing something out of your comfort zone
6 things people would not know about you:
I don’t like being in the spot light.
Not crazy about heights.
Love team sports.
Love to travel.
Don’t like large crowds.
Would like a motorcycle someday.
Who inspires you?
My family
Who do you wish to inspire?
Younger people
Transformation story:
In 2014 I decide it was time for change….in the last 5 years I have lost 112 lbs and have learnt a new way to enjoy life.
Why did you start your transformation and what keeps you going?
My mom’s hip replacement…I decided I wanted to do something that my prevent myself from having this done to me in the future. Losing weight and getting healthy(relieving my joints from the extra weight) seemed to be the best way to start
How do you keep yourself motivated to stay on track when you start to slip?
Old pictures…..I don’t ever want to go back
Life goals:
To stay healthy and embrace “my new way of life”
Lessons you have learned:
Anything is possible if you put your mind to it and have the right support team around you.
Favorite books:
Sophie Kinsella
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
Honesty, integrity, being genuine and true, selfless and trustworthy
Advice you can give to people who want to start training?
Start with small goals and don’t get discouraged if don’t see the results as fast as you thought….it takes time and dedication
Very common question that I get asked is the relationship between muscles and fat. Are they the same? Can they convert into each other? If I stop training will my muscle turn into fat? If I train will my fat turn into muscle? All good questions. There is a simple and scientifly based answer.
Muscles cannot turn to fat. When you exercise, your muscles become larger and stronger because exercise causes extra protein building blocks (amino acids), to deposit in muscles. All day long, amino acids pass from your muscles into your bloodstream and then back into muscles. Exercise forces amino acids back into muscles.
If you stop exercising, a reduction of amino acids go into your muscles. The results of this is your muscles get smaller. Your body is unable to store extra protein, so amino acids that are not moved to your muscles move to your liver, which uses them for energy or converts them into fat for storage. So if you stop exercising, you have to eat less or you will gain weight, likely fat.
