Spotlight Athlete

September - Steph

  • About Steph

    Age: 33

    Exercise Experience: 5 Years

    Started at The Box HTX: 8/18/2021

  • Did you have any hesitations/fears/inhibitions about getting started? If so, what were they?

    I was very hesitant to start working out. My girlfriend had to convince me for weeks before I agreed to entertain the idea. I dreaded attending my first trial class at The Box HTX. I have always been petite and weight has never been a motivator. My inhibitions were all mental. I feared I did not have the discipline to push through the difficult learning stage of working out.

  • You get into the gym consistently each week. Can you share what goes on in your mind, week planning, to make this happen? And how did you get to this place of consistency?

    It’s a lifestyle. I am committed to myself. When I started working out, I realized I had plenty of work to do. I started with 5-6 afternoon classes and noticed my progression. Mentally I have associated my progression with my consistency. Even when life throws curveballs at me, I refuse to reduce my class attendance. Currently I attend 5-6 morning classes to better fit my schedule. Once that mindset sets in then the rest is like clockwork: drinking water, meal prepping and getting to bed early. Also, the monthly gym payment is a reminder. I pay for unlimited classes so I better get my money's worth.

  • If you had the opportunity to tell a friend, loved one, and/or family member why they should start their fitness journey, how might you try to convince them?

    Health is not something that is given to us, we must maintain and nourish it. It is better to start sooner rather than later. Find something that works for you, either a commercial gym or a more structured training program. There is so much variety when it comes to levels of fitness. You are worthy of investing in yourself and providing that service to your body.

  • What are some of your favorite movements from this style of training?

    Barbell! Squats, snatches and cleans . I love the complexity of the movements. They require coordination, flexibility and power. I feel very accomplished once I execute the movement and find it's a continued euphoric feeling when I hit certain weights/numbers. Lifting can be intimidating when competing against others, but not when your are competing against yourself.

  • What are some things you can do now that you could not do when you started, and maybe never thought you could do?

    Squat. I use to have horrible plantar fasciitis and no range of mobility. I always thought at best, I could work towards squatting at parallel. Now I can front squat and back squat my own weight well below parallel with no feet discomfort.

    Pull-ups. I did not even think this movement was obtainable. Coach Jess does an amazing job at curating our training ( making us do things we sometimes don't want to do but should do). She knew what I was capable of before I did. My upper body strength was at a place that it could sustain my body weight.

  • Where do you see your fitness journey taking you in the next 5 years?

    DHonestly, in 5 years, I see my fitness journey in the same course as it is now. Consistency is the thing that works for me. This course has and will take me to achieve new movements (perhaps gymnastics) and PR's. I hope to still be doing it at The Box HTX with my friends, si Dios quiere.

  • Why have you continued to choose The Box HTX as your fitness community?

    The community. It is the absolute best. Each member is so motivating and loving. I cannot miss a day without someone checking in to make sure all is well and that I will be at the next class. My social bonds are solid. We suffer together. We achieve together. I have met some of my favorite people thanks to Coach Jess (also being one of them).