We always feel proud of our members at the Shop. Each and every one of you brings strength and fortitude to the workouts. Sometimes you just want to hit the snooze button and get that extra hour or two of sleep, but September Fusion Athlete Lucia Facundo finds reasons to get out of bed and work up a sweat before the Sun even realizes it’s the next day. Whether she’s training for a marathon or wants to workout with her two daughters at FnGo South, Lucia is ready for any obstacle we put up on the board.

Congratulations, Lucia!

We asked Lucia a few questions about her motivation and her three-year journey growing with the Shop.

How did you hear about Dane’s Body Shop? How long have you been a member?

About three years ago, one of my co-workers at school organized a special deal with Dane for our staff. We met with Aaron at the triangle and it was a great introduction to working out for most of us. When our six weeks was up, I joined Dane’s Body Shop.

The Shop has transformed a lot since you started working out. What difference have you seen in the transformation, and how has it affected your workout routine?

The addition of yoga, running groups, and strength classes allows us to pick an activity almost every day of the week. The free Sunday classes allow me to recommend Dane’s to my friends without them feeling any commitment to join.

Your family is involved in the Shop. Two of your daughters workout at the FnGo South bootcamp, and your son-in-law is a coach. How has the family aspect of DBS motivated you to stay strong and consistent over the past few years?

When I’m tempted to hit the snooze button at 5 a.m., I remind myself that my girls are at their workout by 5:45. That motivates me to get going.

You have overcome so many challenges at the Shop, including the box jump. What other goals do you have for the future?

That darn clean and press. Enough said.

You completed the marathon in San Antonio last year, which was a long time goal for you. How do you think your training at the Shop helped you complete the race?

Running a full marathon a month before my 60th birthday made my workouts even more important. I know the conditioning I obtained at Dane’s enabled me to finish the race and recover quicker. I remember hearing Dane say, “You’ve got to earn it,” during one of the classes. That was my mantra during the race.

Do you have any advice for mothers or grandmothers that are interested in starting a workout routine but don’t know if Dane’s is the right fit for them?

Don’t compare yourself to others. Dane’s atmosphere truly supports individual efforts and whether you’re powerlifting 55 lbs or 150, it’s the individual accomplishments that are acknowledged.

What has been your favorite thing about being a part of the Dane’s Body Shop community?

The support that members give each other, coaches are great encouraging us but when your partner is holding plank while you run a 200, that makes me run a little faster.

What vision do you have for the Shop in the next year?

Perhaps more nutritional information, I don’t know how best to fuel my body for my workouts.

Note: Since we interviewed Lucia we’ve launched the Wellness Ambassador program, where members can get nutrition tips from Coach Veronica, as well as referrals for physical therapy, medical care, psychology, and even Shop recommendations for fun spots around town!

If you find your workouts aren’t getting any easier, take a step back. You may find that you’ve been pushing yourself that much harder. September Fusion Athlete Douglas Murray is doing just that. You may notice him doing extra work after class — what began as a fast 400 is now a fast three-miler! It’s that tenacity that inspires us to do what we do, and we’re glad members like Douglas come back to the Shop everyday.

Congratulations, Douglas!

We asked Douglas a few questions about where he finds that energy to push himself harder every time.

How long have you been coming to the Shop? How did you find out about us?

I’ve been going to Dane’s Body Shop for a year and a half now (plus some odd months). I didn’t hear about Dane’s so much as I went looking for it. I decided I was way out of shape and needed to get my butt in gear. I hopped onto Yelp.com, typed ‘Gym’ and voila, Dane’s Body Shop was first on the list. After scrolling through five or six pages of nothing but GUSHING ,GLOWING, and POSITIVE reviews (there were a lot more pages exactly like those!), I knew I had the right place.

When you first started Dane’s Body Shop, what were your goals? What was your main reason for joining?

When I first started at DBS, my main goal was just to get through the warm up part without wanting to curl into the fetal position and cry for mommy *grin*. Needless to say, ahem, that has changed. My main reason for joining the Shop was simple. I wanted to get and stay in the best possible shape, as well as lose some love handles. Ah, vanity!

Have you met your goals now that you’ve been a member for a while? If so, what new goals have you set for yourself?

Well, I have made a dent in them (still looking for those six pack abs—they must be in the front office), but by no means have I achieved them. That’s mainly due to the fact that I am constantly changing/pushing my goals. “An object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction.” Newton’s first law is spot on; you simply have to keep pushing yourself no matter how tiny the steps may be.

What is the most dramatic change you have seen in yourself since joining the Shop?

The biggest changes I’ve seen are threefold: 1) I’m able to run a 400m (now up to 3 miles post workout) with no problem, 2) Do back squats and still be able to walk the next day, and 3) Actually signing up for the classes I attend! (Don’t tell Leann!) [From Leann: BUSTED!]

What movement is your favorite? What is your least favorite?

Wow, that’s a tough one. I’d say my favorite movement is Child’s Pose. Kidding! It would the the Power Clean. I love adding just a little more weight each time. Least favorite movement? Well, it started out anything kettlebell related, then morphed into push ups, and is now currently ANYTHING squat related.

Explain the Shop in two sentences like you’re telling someone about it for the first time.

Dane’s Body Shop is a community where everyone is dedicated to making everyone one else around better; each day, every day. It’s a gym where you know your body is going to be pushed to and past what you thought was humanly possible (looking at you Coach Matt and Coach Dante!).

You have such a great work ethic, you give 110% every time you walk into the fusion room. What drives you?

I had to chuckle at this question a little. I am more than a little stubborn, so my parents tell me—I like to think of it as “tenacious.” I firmly believe you get what you give no matter what it may be. If you have that ”fire in your belly,” there simply aren’t many things you won’t be able to achieve. I love the line from near the end of Top Gun: “You know you won’t be happy unless you you’re going Mach 12 with your hair on fire.” It all boils down to “BE PASSIONATE”. If you are, you will never look back with regret!