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Member at:

Farmgirlfit Spokane

Occupation:

I’m a Registered Nurse at Occupational Health Solutions. I love my job and am really fortunate to work for a very great company. My office is just around the corner from FGF, so there is no excuse not to go!

Tell us about your fitness journey, and how you came to Farmgirlfit:

I’ve always been active but had struggled since having kids with fitting in exercise to my busy schedule. I ran competitively in high school and college and continued to run after college but suffered from a variety of overuse injuries. I didn’t really know what else to do besides cardio—all running and elliptical machines—and didn’t have hours to put in at the gym.

From my office window, I could see the women from Farmgirlfit running around the block, doing push-ups, tire flips, and more. I was intrigued. I emailed then went in one afternoon for a trial workout and was very nervous. The women and coaches were welcoming when I arrived. I did one Grind and was hooked—so incredibly sore and sweaty—but hooked!

FGF is a perfect fit for me. The Grind is 1 hour and I’m done. I didn’t know that I liked to lift heavy stuff but I feel strong and accomplished after every Grind and am amazed how much progress I have made in less than a year.

What has been your greatest fitness/performance accomplishment so far?

During my last pregnancy, I carried twins to full term while working as a Cardiac ICU nurse. My belly was enormous and I think it often startled patients and their families when I came to the hospital bedside. I grew two big healthy babies – that was a lot of hard work!

Since coming to FGF, I’d have to say it is doing an unassisted pull-up! I’ve still got a long way to go but my calluses are getting bigger so at least my hands don’t hurt as bad.

What are your next health and fitness goals?

Overall I want to maintain an active lifestyle with my family. I’ve taught my 3 kids to downhill ski and am still faster than they are but I know it won’t be long and I’ll be hustling to keep up with them! Also, I really want to ring the bell at the top of the rope climb at FGF.

Who/what inspires you to be fit?

My mom Bette has been a great example of how to stay active. We recently did the Valley Girl Triathlon as a team with my sister-in-law Shannon. My mom was the motivator to put the team together – it was a lot of fun and I think we’ll do it again next year.

Favorite exercise at FGF is:

Squats, Kettlebell movements, and I am beginning to like Handstand Push-Ups.

Least favorite exercise at FGF is:

Plate Pushes and Turkish Get-Ups – enough said!

Favorite workout song?

Anything from the Beastie Boys. The language is not always appropriate, but it is always loud and makes me smile.

My favorite thing about Farmgirlfit is:

The varied workout, the coaches, and members. It is hard to pick just one. I love working hard with the women at FGF. Each Grind is hard but it is always a good time!

When you're not pumping iron at FGF, what does the rest of your life look like?

I am a busy mom to 3 energetic kids – Ella (9) and twin boys Reed and Harrison (6). As a family we love to play at Liberty and Newman Lakes in the summer and ski at Mount Spokane in the winter. My husband Jason and I just celebrated 13 years of marriage. I work full time as an Occupational Health Nurse and work with a variety of industrial companies around the Northwest. In the Fall, I am starting at Gonzaga University to pursue a Masters Degree in Nursing. Life is about to get even busier!

My happy place is:

YMCA Camp Reed and Mount Spokane. I went to Camp Reed every summer as a kid and worked for a couple summers there as a counselor when I was in college. This summer I had the opportunity to go back to this magical place for a week as the camp nurse [PIC ABOVE]. All the camp staff have nicknames and mine is Krusty, has been for 20 years now. The only way to describe life at Camp Reed is to say “It’s the Best”!!

Words that inspire me?

During a workout one day that involved A LOT of squats, one of the coaches, Jaunessa, said “Trust your legs.” This statement was simple but has stuck in my head ever since.

Guilty pleasure:

Dark chocolate and ice cream. I love a little bit of ice cream in the afternoon at work. I eat it from a tea cup with a tiny spoon which makes it seem just a little fancy!

My healthy indulgence:

Chocolate protein smoothies with chia seeds and bananas. I have one every morning. It looks gross but tastes delicious!

What advice do you have for new members?

Just show up. I love that I don’t have to figure out an exercise plan, I just have to show up. The Grind is different each day and when I leave I am a seriously sweaty mess.