I grew up in Ithaca, NY and moved to Auburn, AL to attend Auburn University (War Eagle). I was fortunate enough to be recruited by a resort on the Florida panhandle directly out of college, where I met my husband, Dwayne. We were married in 2011 and have one daughter, Kathryn (5) and two wild Labradors. I am the Director of Event Management for the same resort, overseeing conferences, group retreats, reunions and weddings. When not hard at work, I am usually out with my family enjoying the beautiful place we get to call home.
CRISSY NEVER LETS ME SETTLE FOR WHAT I CAPABLE OF DOING – SHE PUSHES ME TO DO JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.
Who is your trainer?
Crissy Thibodeau
What makes her so special as a trainer?
Crissy is a trainer, a friend and a therapist all wrapped up in one. She encourages us to set high goals, provides the tools needed to achieve them and motivates us on the days we may be falling short. She never lets me settle for what I capable of doing – she pushes me to do just a little bit more. And reminds us daily that sexy at any age is ok!
Can you talk about the Thibod community? What makes it so unique?
ThiBod is so much more than a gym. It truly is a family – a community of people with the common goal of feeling their best and helping others to do the same. I needed consistency – a routine and sense of accountability that would keep me motivated and on track. I never expected to find such a welcoming group of people and a program that I would get fully addicted to.
CRISSY TRULY IS A FAMILY – A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WITH THE COMMON GOAL OF FEELING THEIR BEST AND HELPING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.
Occupation details:
Director of Event Management for a beach resort
Relationship status:
Married
Fitness Goals:
Consistency! Now that I have found ThiBod and a program I can get excited about, I need to focus on making them a priority in my schedule
Training Plan:
Zumba 2 – 3 times per week, HIIT 2 times per week and try to sneak in a yoga session when I can.
Thoughts on HIIt, Power lifting, TRX, Yoga, bodybuilding, other:
I have been doing HIIT for about six months now and noticed results quicker than any other program. It’s the hardest 32 minutes of my week, but so worth it. I love yoga (especially hot yoga), as it quiets my mind and forces me to stay present.
I WAS CLASSICALLY DANCED TRAINED BY TWO FORMER ROCKETTES
Nutritional & Supplements:
I use Magnum supplements and BCAAs. I am trying to focus my family’s nutrition on less processed foods and more fresh ingredients this year.
How did you use Magnum products during your shoot prep?
Yes – E-Brake, Carne Diem and Afterburn.
What are your thoughts about Magnum and which products do you use from them?
I could tell a difference in my workouts – and definitely got a more restful night’s sleep while using them.
Special skills?
I am exceptionally good at giving directions. In person, I add the flight attendant hand motions – which my team at work finds hilarious.
What do your parents mean to you? What did they teach you?
I am an only child, so my parents mean the world to me. My dad was determined to make sure I was never a damsel in distress – so I learned basic mechanic skills, investing tactics and most of my business savvy from him. My mom is that type of person who never meets a stranger and tries to make a difference with everyone she encounters. I try to channel that every day, though admittedly – she sets the bar high.
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
I think how approachable this magazine is makes it a stand out publication. The fact that it offers content that both professionals and fitness novices can relate to is unique.
WARREN HAS THIS UNCANNY ABILITY OF MAKING YOU RELAX, THEN CAPTURES THOSE MOMENTS BEAUTIFULLY.
What would it mean to you to become the next Status Fitness Cover-model?
I’m not sure it would help copies fly off the shelf! (Kidding!) Just being included is a testament to what can happen when you set a goal and work to achieve it.
If you could ask Status Editor-In-Chief, Rodney Jang one question what would that be?
What/Who was the most interesting story you have featured?
What was it like working with Warren from Healthy Vision Photography?
Oh goodness, I could go on for days. The actual shoot was the hardest part of this process for me, as I am uncomfortable having my picture taken. Warren has this uncanny ability of making you relax, then captures those moments beautifully. My favorite photo of the entire shoot was of me laughing after one of his famous one-liners. I can tell that’s when I let go and started to enjoy this experience.
6 things people would not know about you:
a. I hate cookie cakes.
b. I have seen every episode of Law & Order (and still watch the reruns)
c. I know how to change the oil and transmission fluid in a vehicle
d. I had a basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) removed when I was 32 – and am now obsessed about wearing sunscreen
e. I was classically danced trained by two former Rockettes
f. I can walk in heels all day long, but am known to eat the pavement in flip flops
I WAS A COMPETITIVE DANCER GROWING UP, SO BEING ACTIVE WAS ALWAYS PART OF MY SCHEDULE.
Who inspires you?
My friend and mentor, Kitty. She is exceptional at visualizing success, setting the plan to get there and keeping positive momentum throughout the journey. She now teaches these fundamentals in her “Transform” class which I recently had the opportunity to go through.
Who do you wish to inspire?
My daughter, Kathryn. I want her to know she can have it all – if she is willing to work for it. I hope I set the example of love, family and hard work for her.
Transformation story:
I was a competitive dancer growing up, so being active was always part of my schedule. Until I went to college and started my career, when became easier to find excuses to not exercise and fill my time with other activities. Event planning is an incredibly stressful job (5th in the nation) and as I entered my 30’s and became a mother, that stress caught up with me. Sleepless nights and lack of energy became an issue – so my doctor recommended I find a workout program. Several of my friends had already discovered ThiBod and encouraged me (some more aggressively than others!) to come to a Zumba class. That class turned into several times a week, which manifested into attending HIIT twice a week. Soon I was attending dance workshops and channeling my ballerina roots. Crissy offers so many different opportunities to make fitness work for everyone, that you finally stop making excuses and start making time for yourself. By carving out some gym time each week, I have noticed an uptick in my energy level and feel significantly less stressed. As an added bonus, I met a lot of new friends that make staying on track even easier.
Life goals:
My career as a planner forces me to look and think ahead. I am trying to focus on being more “present” when I’m not working. I won’t get these moments with my daughter back.
BY CARVING OUT SOME GYM TIME EACH WEEK, I HAVE NOTICED AN UPTICK IN MY ENERGY LEVEL AND FEEL SIGNIFICANTLY LESS STRESSED.
5 lessons you have learned:
a. You will not be wildly successful taking care of anyone else if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
b. All food is welcome on the table – just in moderation!
c. Even the most fit person probably hates burpees.
d. It’s important to have a reset button – and to use it as needed.
e. You have to own everything you do. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Music and artist you listen while training:
It’s such a completely random mix! Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, Britney, Jackson 5, Bruno Mars.
Favorite actors/ movies:
I could listen to Matthew McConaughey talk for hours! So anything he is in, I’ll watch. I also adore Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Anniston. And I watch The Blind Side every time it comes on tv.
Favorite books and authors:
I love all crime dramas – so Grisham, Connelly, Pratt are staples on my Kindle.
YOU HAVE TO OWN EVERYTHING YOU DO. THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
a. Humor
b. Sincerity
c. Integrity
d. Honesty
e. Adaptability
Advice you can give to children who want to start training?
The first step is to just get moving and find something you like. We started my daughter in swimming when she was 16 months and in gymnastics when she was 2. She still participates in both activities now and the impact of those in her motor skills and coordination is apparent. ThiBod offers a Kids Zumba program on weekends – which she loves, because she gets to do the same thing as me.
Favorite Quotes:
a. “I’ve learned you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas lights.” ~ Maya Angelou
b. “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” ~ Wayne Dyer
