Imagine you’re visiting the Shop for the very first time. Perhaps you’re timid, a little shy, or maybe you’re intimidated, not too sure you’ll get into the vibe of the place. Then you’re greeted by a friendly, inviting person, who is ready for the workout and assures you that you’ll do just fine, giving you just the right amount of encouragement you need to step up to the challenge. Well, that’s Abbey, one of our November Fusion Athletes!

Whether she’s pushing hard through Fusion, throwing around weight in Strength, acing sprints in Run Group, stretchin’ out in Yoga, or just chilling with her not-quite-chihuahua,  not-quite-fox, not-quite-cat dog, Effy, Abbey always brings her fun spirit and positive attitude to the DBS community.

Keep it up, Abbey! You help make Dane’s a great place to be!

How long have you been a member at DBS? What motivated you to join?

Wow! Two years now? Honestly, my reason to come to DBS had nothing to do with fitness. I liked boy and wanted to impress him. He happened to work at Dane’s Body Shop, so I jumped in. And threw up by the dumpster my first class! Apparently that impressed him. Poor sucker has been stuck with me since.

What is your fitness background?

Before I graduated from college, my fitness background was a sad mix of the elliptical at the gym and the occasional bike ride. Fitness just wasn’t important to me for a long time. Then I got really sick and tired of being constantly sick and tired so I decided to change.

I know you love Yoga and have recently gotten your Yoga Sculpt certification. How does DBS help complement your yoga practice?

DBS makes me strong! I love yoga and the focus on the connection of mind and body that it brings. However, sometimes I feel really antsy in my yoga practice and want to move fast or push myself just to see how far I can go. Alas, that is not what yoga is about, so DBS helps me express that energy, then come back to my mat and really focus on my practice. Also, the upper body days really help with arm balances.

Not only do you participate in the fusion classes you have also been a member of the DBS run group, and you completed your first ever half marathon in Chicago recently. How did the Fusion classes and Run Group prepare you for your race?

Ha! I knew a running question was coming. I love Fusion and Strength classes so much. I get to actually see my body’s strength and ability.  Fusion classes prepared me for shutting off my brain and pushing ahead!

Run group, on the other hand, was the freaking hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  I am not a runner, but I come from a family of runners, so I wanted to be part of the “We Love Running!” Club. I signed up for a half marathon thinking that there was no better time;  however, every time I tried to get into running, I hated it. Run group helped me to stop being a baby and just put one foot in front of the other.

You have attended, if not all, most of the DBS events like Zombie Obstacle Course, Brains and Brawns, and Holiday Challenge. Why do you love the DBS events?  What is your vision for these events in the future?

I really love seeing my friends at the Shop (I know I am dorky, get over it). Any chance I have to participate or volunteer with an event, I am there! Before DBS, I had no idea people actually spent time exercising together and had fun doing it. Add a party on top of that? Oh, I will be there.

I would love to see Dane’s do more work with community youth.There are so many kids who don’t know that being active can be really fun. I was one of them and wished someone had shown me that being strong and active is awesome! I loved the work we did with the Austin Children’s Shelter, and I would really like to see more of that.

What is your biggest accomplishment since joining DBS?  What goal do you have in the next 6 months?

My biggest accomplishment since joining DBS is my complete 180 from my former lifestyle. I used to be a heavy smoker and partier, and I completely took my body for granted. Learning how to eat properly and exercise has made me a happier, confident, more productive person. I particularly attribute this change to Leann, who really held me accountable and showed me that I deserve to be healthy and happy.

I want to compete in lifting. For the longest time, I had convinced myself that I wasn’t strong enough or wasn’t ready. I’m so over that way of thinking. Let’s do this!

Will you be sharing some of your yoga sculpt moves with us so we can add them to our fusion classes?

Sure! I have to warn you, though: it’s hard! Sometimes I laugh because I will have huge macho guys come to my yoga sculpt and try to show everyone up. They are usually the first ones to be laying down in child’s pose telling me how hard it was after class.

If you could tell someone about DBS in one sentence, what would you say?

Danes Body Shop made me better, all around. ♦

Interested in being a part of the DBS Community? Register here!