1) How does fitness fit in with your larger life?
This is going to be embarrassing , but I’ve been ignoring the fitness aspect of my life for 90% of my life. I’ve come to the realization that if I don’t give it the importance it deserves, I will pay for it haha.
Although it’s not a top priority, it is 3rd on my list of things I really care about.
Priority list :
1)Work
2)Dancing
3)Fitness
Do you have any specific fitness goals you’d like to share with us?
I think when I started out, all I wanted to do was to look better. As I spent my time interacting with coaches and the members from the shop, I learnt that there is so much more to fitness. Now, I just want to have a disciplined life where I eat
really healthy, show up to the shop consistently at least 3 days a week, and push really hard towards improving my strength.
What changes, physically or mentally, have you noticed since starting at the Shop?
Dane, you were the coach on my very first class at the shop. My body was shocked in 20 mins, and I threw up. And, I wanted to go home, but you said, “Just relax, your body is just taking time to adjust”. You’ve no idea how much of an impact you made
by saying that. That is probably why I continued to show up to the shop even when I was intimidated by the program. Physically speaking, my posture has improved radically, and I subconsciously adapt techniques from the shop to my life outside the shop.
Also, when I dip my partner while dancing, I feel super confident ;). Mentally, I’m really happy after a workout which is probably the same with a lot of them. Here’s what interests me , when I show up to shop to see if I can mentally challenge myself to go beyond what I think feels doable. Doing that over a long period of time has helped me take that attitude outside the shop and have amazing results. Essentially, I’m able to override my mind’s perceived limits to an extent.
What do you value about the classes you take at the Shop? And what keeps you coming to class regularly?
NOVELTY and TOGETHERNESS.
The classes are structured in such a way that they focus on different muscle groups all through the year which keeps it super fresh. Also, this is not a shop where I come and just do my thing with my headphones. Everyone’s watching out for each other. There’s always sense of “hey, you got this”. Lastly, the coaches have been very kind and friendly and the attention to detail has been phenomenal.
What is your favorite movement? Least favorite?
Deadlifts are my favorite. The reason being – I sucked at the form when I started, my lower back always rounded. Every coach would keep pointing that out to me, and did their best to help me remain patient. When it finally clicked after 2 months, I was the happiest. I go super hard on them. Least favourite – Speed Skater squats and Pistol squats are tied haha. Whenever Keith expects me to do them, I make sure I let him know that I hate him for that. He says that he’s going to include more of that :/
Have you developed any special connections at the Shop?
I’ve a great time talking to Keith, Stephen, Jen, John and you for sure. When it comes to the members, Patty is super chill. She always gives me a big wide smile and has been real friendly ever since the early days. Also, Matt and I’ve a love-hate relationship, it’s quite dysfunctional, but we get along ;).
Why do you hate taking fusion classes I teach? 🙂
It’s not you Dane, it’s me.. haha. This is totally unfair, I showed up to your Monday fusion classes regularly for 6 months and then I changed jobs where I get out at 4:30PM, and the Strength class at 5:30PM works perfectly into my goals . Sorry, I don’t make it man. I’ll definitely try my best to make it a point to come in once in a while.
What do you like to do when you’re not working out?
I love reading books on self improvement and behavioral economics with some hot mocha. Also, blues and swing dancing is really important to me. I make sure to get out and dance around 2-3 times a week.
Describe your perfect Weekend:
It’d involve an extra hot cappuccino from Houndstooth , hitting the shop with a Strength class, 2 big ass Torchy’s Tacos with Diablo sauce, some book reading, 3 hours of dancing in the evening, chill with some friends on the couch and talk about life, and work on some of my side projects that I’m passionate about. As you can see I like my weekends laid back 🙂
