What is your hometown?
Manchester, NH (by way of Georgia, Kentucky, Connecticut, South Carolina, and DC) What brought you to DPT? A coworker brought me to one of DPT’s Bring a Friend Weeks. I had NO intention of signing up before going in, but was interested in trying a new workout… Clearly that first experience changed my mind, and I was enrolled the next week!
How long have you been training with us?
I started at the beginning of October, so about 4 months now.
What do you do in the “real world?” (job, family, pets, etc)
I work for Southern New Hampshire University, where I am a manager in Faculty Scheduling. I am also taking classes to pursue a Master’s Degree in IT. When I’m not at DPT or at work, you can find me at home watching The West Wing with my cat or wreaking havoc in Manchester with my bestie HK.
What is one fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
I lived in India during my junior year of college. I traveled the country and got to visit some incredible historical sites, go to elephant sanctuaries, and eat amazing food.
What is your favorite exercise and why?
I think right now it is TRX rows. I remember being discouraged when I first started because it was hard to maintain correct form and they were so exhausting! After a lot of coaching and a lot of practice, I’ve started to really enjoy them and try to challenge myself each time. While they’re still exhausting, it is in a satisfying kind of way.
What is your biggest gym achievement so far?
Being able to do proper push ups. When I started at DPT I was only able to do them from my knees. But after keeping at it, and a lot of encouragement and pushing from Emily and Billy, I was able to start incorporating some toe push ups into each set. (Full disclosure, I face planted at least twice). Now I’m able to do full sets on my toes!
What inspires and motivates you?
I want to be healthy for my family and I don’t want to miss out on any experiences because of my health. That’s the big thing that motivates me. On the day to day, it is definitely my friends and trainers at DPT that motivate me. I am really stubborn, so when the Emily or Billy “suggests” a number of sets to complete in a certain amount of time, I try really hard to exceed that goal. Plus, if I’m threatened with burpees I’ll work my butt off to avoid them.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining or who has just joined DPT?
For those of you considering joining: Do it. It sounds cliché but I was never a gym person. Sports weren’t my thing, and I would go to a yoga or pilates class once a week but didn’t get a whole lot out of them. Plus, I am easily bored so sticking with one thing is hard. DPT is great because the workouts are always changing to stay fresh and challenge us in different ways. The trainers take the time to know each of us on an individual level and know what does and does not work for our bodies. I still don’t consider myself a “gym person” because to me, DPT is so much more than a gym. I genuinely care about everyone there, and I know that the feeling is mutual. Everyone has each others best interests at heart, and everyone is so encouraging and supportive. I view my sessions there as an excuse to spend 3 times a week with my friends. I think getting in a killer workout while doing so is just an added bonus!
