June Fusion Athlete: Meghan Brindley

We like to think of our Fusion Athletes of the Month as representatives of everything the Shop stands for: positivity, strong determination, and community. Our next June Fusion Athlete, Meghan Brindley, perfectly encapsulates those principles in and out of the Shop.

Meghan is a regular attendee of both our Fusion and Strength classes. Whether she’s at the Shop for her regular dose of endorphins or training hard for her next triathlon, you bet Meghan will be racking up the reps and stacking on the weight with a smile!

Congratulations, Meghan!

How long have you been a DBS member, and how did you hear about us?
I’ve been at Dane’s for just over 2 years (my first class was actually on Cinco de Mayo … which turned out to be Cinco de Burpees). I live on Guadalupe and passed the Shop everyday, and a friend of mine recommended it.

You are a woman who loves strength class. What is it about the programming and lifting that you enjoy?
As a newbie I had this preconceived notion that “strength class” meant a bunch of protein pounding, grunting, GTL characters. Coupled with that, lifting always seemed pretty extreme, and I knew that if you didn’t lift something correctly, you could get hurt. But even with those thoughts, I knew that it was still a new challenge I wanted to try. I asked Matt if a beginner could come to the class, and he encouraged me to join. It was pretty apparent after my first few classes that there was a central theme to everything: support. From the support I got from the coaching staff to lift correctly and safely, the support I got from the other people in the class, and finally the literal support that I got from other people spotting when I hit my maxes, Dane’s provided an excellent learning environment for what turned out to be a new passion.

A few weeks into the series I was amazed at how my other fitness activities and general confidence had increased. I found myself wishing that I had that type of training when I was swimming in high school and college. I was shocked a year later when I cut almost 30 minutes off of my triathlon time! This year I cut off another 12 minutes. Strength class has really created a solid foundation for me to build other fitness routines on. And truth be told, while watching my strength and confidence increase has been awesome, the best part has been watching so many other ladies join the group (when I first started there were two or three of us).

Have you ever considered competing in a lifting meet?
Now that I’ve been through the tri circuit a few times I think it’s time to try something new, and a lifting meet sounds like a great challenge. Besides, it’s pretty neat to be a small girl and lift things that weigh more than you do!

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You often bring friends to class and refer them to the Shop. What is it about the Shop, the community, and the atmosphere that gives you to confidence to refer your friends?
There are a lot of things that I absolutely love about the Shop, but one of the best things is the variety. It’s not just the variety of the classes that are offered, but it’s the variety of the workouts, as well as the variety of fitness levels that join our classes. I think when it comes to fitness, it’s especially intimidating to start something new. I work in social media and was always afraid that someone would be secretly recording my workout at the gym and I’d end up on one of those #FitnessFail sites for ridiculous form.

Dane’s will provide a challenging environment for you regardless of your fitness level. As long as you’ve got a positive attitude and you’re ready to get work done, everyone here is welcoming and supportive. It’s because of that attitude that I’ve been able to make so many great friends. Between the classes and the social events that Dane’s hosts, the majority of the people I hang out with I met at the shop. In fact in April when I celebrated my birthday, half of the people that joined my celebration were from Dane’s, including Dane’s father who I fondly call Papa Body Shop. A true an indicator that it’s a pretty special place if you ask me!

How would you convince a friend who’s on the fence about joining a gym to give the Shop a try?
I actually get asked this a lot and I always answer with “You’ve got to start somewhere.” Even after I’ve taken a few days off due to work travel or scheduling conflicts, it can sometimes be tough motivating myself to get back in the fitness groove because you know it’s going to be difficult. Then I think about some of the people I’ve talked to who have been out of the game for weeks or even months for a variety of reasons, but it always comes back to “You’ve got to start somewhere!”

To ease that initial intimidation factor, I love that Dane’s offer Fusion Fundamentals as a class, so new members can get acquainted with the types of workouts we do and our overall culture. Part of that culture is learning how to lead a healthy life where fitness is just the start. The coaches at the Shop are always available and happy to talk about nutrition, stretching and overall wellness which is extremely helpful.

What visions do you have for Dane’s Body Shop in the future? Juice bar, new location, pet grooming, ha! Anything you want!

A juice bar would be pretty legit … but since it’s summer, I vote DBS boat party.

 
Click here to register for a DBS membership!

June Fusion Athlete: Marc Sturdivant

We’re pleased to announce our first June Fusion Athlete, Marc Sturdivant! You may have seen Marc compete in this month’s AFM FITTEST competition, where he knocked out an insane amount of burpees in only a minute’s time. Well, Marc eats

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burpees for breakfast, but he worked incredibly hard to get to this point. This is precisely why we voted Marc to be one of this month’s Fusion Athletes. Take a second to get to know Marc. Marc, you’re regular at our free Pease Park bootcamp held every first and third Sunday. How did you initially hear about our Free Community Boot Camp? I first heard about the free boot camps from my cousin, Terryl, when they were held at Whole Foods. We had just signed up for our first Tough Mudder and we were looking for a way to get into better shape. What was it about the people, the workouts, and overall experience at Community Boot Camp made you want to venture down the road to the Shop? I went to my first boot camp and promptly had my butt handed to me (I wasn’t as in shape as I thought I was). [Regardless I] fell in love with it. Everyone was friendly and encouraging, the workouts were fun and challenging, and then we would go to brunch afterward, which sometimes turned into epic Sunday Fundays (I’ve got some good stories if you ask me). I thought to myself, “If the boot camps are this much fun, I bet the Shop is even better.” You often attend the Fusion workouts as well as strength classes. How do you plan your workouts and how many of each type of class you attend each week? I like to workout 5-6 days a week, Mondays (lower body), Fridays (upper body), and Saturdays (total body) are my Fusion days; Tuesdays and Thursdays are my strength days; and, of course, [I workout] Sundays in the park. Wednesday is my rest day. You have a knee injury. How have you been able to work around the injury in classes? I try to get to class a little early to stretch and roll out to loosen up a bit, and I work hard, but take it easy, during class as to not exacerbate the condition. If I feel my knee can’t handle the stress, I ask for alternate exercises. I’ve also found that if I pay attention to proper form and technique, I experience less pain and discomfort. My knee doesn’t bother me as much any more, but you’ll notice that I still have a slight limp, especially when I run. I’m just going to blame old age for that.

10358551_10202494049286082_1057033846099974461_n Photo by Robin Silberling
What goals do you have for yourself? One of my goals is to try and stave off diabetes, which seems to run in my family. I hate taking medication, so I figure exercise will give me a better chance of doing that. Also, even though I eat relatively healthy (and I use the term “healthy” loosely), I tend to eat a lot and partake of Adult beverages (see comment on epic Sunday Fundays). So If I didn’t workout, I would probably be on one of those TV shows where they would have to break down a wall in my house and get me out using a forklift. My main goal though is to just be happy and healthy. I’ve never really told anyone, but a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with depression, so happiness was a rarity. And with that, my health was slowly suffering and since I don’t like taking meds. I needed an outlet to help combat the symptoms. The Shop has seem to help me maintain my goal of not slipping into depression anymore. You have competed in the Tough Mudder and other adventure races. Do you feel the Shop has prepared you for these races? Most definitely! The Fusion and strength classes are a big help. Classes may not be specifically designed for adventure races, but they tend to translate very well. What’s your usual spiel when describing the Shop to your friends? When they ask, I usually tell them about the commercial, the free boot camps, the friends I’ve made, how this is the healthiest I’ve been in the past 15 years, the community gains, and how much fun I’m having doing it all.   To start your Dane’s Body Shop membership, click here!

May Fusion Athlete: William Pauly

Finding a gym in a new town is hard; of course, sometimes it’s as easy as doing a quick search on the internet! That’s how our next May Fusion Athlete, William Pauly, first heard about the Shop. Since relocating from the Windy City (that’s Chicago!), William Pauly has accepted our daily challenges with sheer enthusiasm and determination.

Take a moment to get to know William, how he became a part of the DBS community, and which barbell movements he can’t get enough of!

Congratulations, William! Keep up the good work!

How did you hear about DBS and how long have you been attending classes?

Honestly? Yelp. I was moving down to Austin in early July of 2013 and was trying to get in shape for my wedding in September. When I moved down, I needed to find a gym relatively fast and wanted something class-based to help motivate me and provide a program. I had done a month of Crossfit in Chicago and after reading the reviews at Dane’s, it looked too good to not try.

What is it about DBS that made you stick around?

Great coaches and great people. As someone new to the area, it’s been a great way to meet people and find fun activities.

I like that it’s a healthy combination of strength and cardio that is always changing. It’s tough to get bored with a workout when it’s always different. Another thing I really like about the program is that each class is fully utilized – if you are going to get an hour workout in, I want it to be an active/exhausting hour and Dane’s does a great job of fully utilizing the entire hour.

You are a regular 6 a.m. attendee, what do you like about the early morning classes?

I’ve never been a morning person, but somehow I have managed to make the 6am classes and I really enjoy it. It helps me get to sleep earlier, and at 6am it’s tough to find an excuse — besides getting up — to not come in. After work, I can think of a ton of excuses, and they usually win. Also, it feels great to get up and get it out of the way so I don’t have to think about it again for the rest of the day.

What fitness goals do you have for yourself in the next 6 months? What would you say is the biggest accomplishment you have conquered since joining DBS?

I have noticed big changes in my overall fitness level, but my biggest accomplishment has been getting back in the fitness mindset. Previously, if I was able to exercise 2-3 times per week, I would be pretty pleased with myself. Now, I’m upset with myself if I can’t get in at least 4 workouts per week. That mindset has helped me eat better also.

After several months at the Shop, I feel pretty good about my form, pace, and routine, so now I’m focused on trying to increase strength. Recently I’ve tried using heavier weights and was surprised with the result, so I plan to continue pushing on that front.

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What is your favorite barbell movement? What are your favorite and least favorite Fusion movements?

I think the clean and press [is my favorite barbell movement], since it sort of hits every major body part — my main criteria for how good a movement is. I know it’s not really a single movement, but I also like the AMRAP barbell complexes we do during Community Gains (5 deadlifts, 5 rows, 5 power cleans, 5 front squats, and 5 push presses) since they are a combination of cardio and strength and hit the whole body pretty hard.

It’s tough to narrow [my most favorite Fusion movement] down to one thing, but I’d say the one thing I’ve increased the most on since starting at the Shop are pull-ups, so I’m usually happy to see those on the board.

Turkish get ups [are my least favorite]. I always feel awkward doing them, and maybe I do them wrong, but I never feel much after doing them.

If you were to explain to a friend what you do for exercise, how would you explain your training at DBS?

Like Crossfit, but better – better use of an hour, friendlier people, tons of classes, more variety, and unlimited attendance [for monthly membership].
 
Click here to sign up for DBS classes and events.

May Fusion Athlete: Joelle Pearson

If you’ve been to one of Matt’s strength classes, chances are you’ve worked out alongside our first May Fusion Athlete, Joelle Pearson. Joelle is no stranger to heavy barbells, and she’s made remarkable strides in her lifts since joining the DBS community.

Take a moment to read about Joelle’s background, her progress with heavy lifts, and the immense importance of confidence and, of course, front squats!

Congratulations, Joelle!

How long have you been at DBS and how did you hear about us?
I’ve been at Dane’s for a year to date. My friend told me about it, but she mainly only talked about the uber-men who ran it.

What was different about DBS than other gyms or programs you have participated in?

I came from Crossfit, which stressed competition between athletes and diet challenges. I’d battled an intense eating disorder since I was 15, and it worsened significantly in that atmosphere. I dropped by the Shop one afternoon and chatted with Dane and Dunte, who immediately made me feel welcome and respected in a way that the Crossfit coaches never had.

At Dane’s, it wasn’t about winning or measuring, but developing real wellness through community and fitness. I’ve made huge strides here, mentally, physically, and interpersonally, which have fueled my recovery and changed my life more than most people know.

You enjoy the strength classes, and you are currently training for a powerlifting competition. Can you tell us a little more about the strength program as it appeals to a woman?

Women are (generally) intimidated by weightlifting for two reasons: They’ve either been convinced it will transform them into the Hulk, or because it’s “too hard.”

To the first point: Weightlifting will make a difference in your appearance — you’ll achieve beautiful definition of your natural body. You’ll replace fat with muscle. “Shaping and toning” can’t be had through hours on a treadmill — it’s done through deadlifts, squats, and HEAVY lifting.

Women often say “hard” when they really mean “unfamiliar.” Lifting is harder for women because they lack the confidence to undertake intimidating tasks, especially physical ones. They’re more sensitive to failure than men (check out The Atlantic’s May cover story on this subject, if you don’t believe me). Confidence is gained through practice, by doing something challenging, and it has unprecedented impact on self-esteem and the limitations you set for yourself in and outside of the gym.

I meet plenty of guys who can’t lift as much as me, but I’ve never heard a guy say lifting is “too hard.” Ladies: it’s all in your head. You’re stronger than you think.

What would you tell a woman that is interested in strength training but intimidated to start?
Take small steps. Lifting is scaled: you can squat 200 pounds or you can squat a 15 pound bar. Just. Start.

I did. It works:

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Plus, you get to watch Liz Campo do pull-ups with a 10-pound weight strapped to her, which is BALLER.

You often attend the events DBS puts on, like Girls Wine Night, Steak Night, Fusion Fortitude Competitions. Which has been your favorite so far? Do you have any ideas of a fun event or social gathering DBS should consider doing?

The Athlete Open was a turning point for me, because our “community” was so apparent on the field. The other teams were so hell-bent on winning; it seemed like the Dane’s teams were the only ones enjoying themselves. It was a perfect snapshot of how we operate.

I also loved Dane’s Field day. It made me feel like a kid again! I was bobbing for apples after a 5k (for the record: this is impossible). Can we bring that back?

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What is your favorite workout song, post workout meal, and outfit from head to toe?
Best Song: “Back Dat Ass Up” (but only when Matt plays it during squat practice).
Best Meal: SFH Whey blended with blueberries and coconut oil. Woah.
Best Outfit: I’m nothing without my Muscle Beach tank top and Atomic Athlete ranger panties.

What is your favorite lifting move and least favorite Fusion movement?

My favorite lifting move is a front squat, because I really want thighs as big as Chun-Li’s in Street Fighter Alpha. Plus, Beyonce swears by them.

My least favorite fusion movement is a “bonus” mile run. Thanks, Dane. Very fun surprise.

If you could program a workout for DBS community what are three things it would include no doubt?
Thrusters, partner medicine ball sit-ups, and anything that makes the boys take their shirts off. Just kidding! We’d finish with a Torchy’s Taco Run!

 
To become a member of the DBS community, click here to register!

Open Gym is a Go!

At the Shop, we know life’s one big hustle, and sometimes life in the fast lane doesn’t always give you that extra time you need to focus on your fitness. Never fear! Dane’s Body Shop Open Gym is here!

Starting now, Dane’s Body Shop will be available to members during “off” hours, Monday through Friday, as a $25 add-on to your current membership. So if you need a little extra time to work on your clean n’ jerk, pull-ups, or to do the day’s Fusion exercise, Open Gym is for you!

What to expect during Open Gym Hours:

  • The day’s programmed workout written on the board for you.
  • A coach on hand to answer any questions you have and to assist you with lifts when needed. (Although private coaching should not be expected, it’s possible to get.)
    You can stay as long as you want within the allotted Open Gym hours:

Monday thru Friday 1pm – 4 pm *Tuesday ends at 3:30 due to coaches’ meeting.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am – 11:45am
Tuesday, Thursday 10am – 11:45am

We will explore more hours and options after assessing how well our members utilize this time.

Email leann@danesbodyshop.com to set up your Open Gym membership.

$25 add-on to your membership. $10 drop-in for non-members members without the add-on.

April Fusion Athlete: Murphy Sayre

When he’s not hitting the books to master the ins and outs of the U.S. justice system, he’s working up a sweat in the 5:30 Fusion class. Our next Fusion Athlete for the month of April is none other than Murphy Sayre! He’s committed to constant improvement that comes with training hard, and that’s earned him a spot as a Fusion Athlete of the Month!

Way to go, Murphy!

How did you hear about DBS and when did you start classes?

My good friend Jaime told me about the Shop. Jaime and I played rugby together in high school here in Austin, but since then it’s fair to say we both got a little soft around the edges. He told me Dane’s helped him get back in shape and that I should try it. I joined in September 2013.

Since joining the Shop, what changes have you seen not only in your physical abilities but your life overall?

The training at the Shop is unlike anything I’ve done before. It follows that I have gained a lot physically in the past couple months. But more importantly the Shop has established health and fitness as an integral part of my life. I no longer view working out as something I do to “just get it over with.” Now on my workout days, I head to the Shop at 5:30pm without a second thought, which is a dramatic change from the way I used to view exercising.

Which classes do you regularly attend? What do you like about those classes and coaches?

I usually go to Fusion at 5:30pm with Aaron and Dunte; both are excellent motivators and know how far to push me (which usually involves coaxing me into choosing a heavier weight!). I also appreciate how willing Aaron and Dunte are to answer my questions both during and after workouts.

Besides the regular Fusion classes, I try to make it to Ari’s yoga class as much as I can. Yoga is great after a string of Fusion classes, and the corpse pose at the end of Ari’s class often amounts to the most relaxing part of my week. I also am half way through an 8-week cycle of KO Fusion with Juliana, which has been really fun. I have no experience with combat sports, so I doubt I would have ever tried something like KO if it weren’t in an environment where I already felt comfortable.

The bottom line is that I’m a big fan of all the coaches at the Shop.

What are some goals you have accomplished since joining the Shop and what are some goals you are working on?

Olympic lifting was new to me before joining the Shop. When I first started, I dreaded these lifts, but now I have made it my goal to improve my form. My next step in achieving this goal is to start attending some of the strength classes throughout the week.

What do you find to be the hardest workout or movement you have done in class thus far? What movements or workout styles do you enjoy?

I’ve found that everything is hard because the difficulty scales up even if you are good at a particular exercise. In general, however, I always feel wasted during the “conditioning” weeks.

My favorite workout style, as Dunte has described it, is training for “old man strength.” The idea is to build strong hands and a strong core, and the exercises are simple: walk with heavy weight in your hands. In fact, I feel like Dunte has said those exact words in class. During these exercises I always try to push myself even harder than usual.

Tell us a little bit about Murphy outside of the Shop.

I’m in my second year of law school at UT, so that takes up the majority of my time. When I’m not busy with school I like to take my kayak out on any one of the rivers within an hour’s drive of Austin. And if I’m not too sore from the Shop, I always enjoy a pickup game of basketball whenever I can get one.

What would you tell a friend to convince them to join the Shop?

You are signing up for much more than just some cross fit classes. In a single week you will have the opportunity to participate in yoga, kickboxing, and a run group, in addition to exercising with a group of people who genuinely enjoy each other’s company. And when it comes to regular classes, I have never done the same workout twice, or even two workouts that resemble each other; hence, you will not get bored at DBS.

April Fusion Athlete: Annie Palgutt

The best part about Dane’s Body Shop has got to be the people. Each and every member of the DBS community has a great story to tell, and they show us how the greatest results come from pure determination and hard work. This month’s first Fusion Athlete, Annie Palgutt, exemplifies that spirit.

Annie is a regular of the Strength Crew, where’s she’s been actively involved in our weightlifting meets since she joined in August. In preparing for the meets, Annie has shown focus, commitment, and, as a result, improvement!

Congratulations, Annie!

How long have you been coming to DBS and how did you hear about us?

I moved to Austin in August and started coming to DBS in October. When I moved to Hyde Park, my route to work took me right by DBS. One day I saw members outside doing tire flips and overhead carries which caught my attention, so I thought I’d check it out.

Have you always been into weight lifting? What is your fitness background?
I’ve been pretty active my whole life, chasing my 5 older brothers and sisters. In high school I played field hockey and lacrosse, and sophomore year my lacrosse coach started incorporating crossfit into our conditioning. In college, I was on the triathlon team, and incorporated crossfit mainsite and crossfit endurance wods into my routine. The last semester of college, I started focusing on lifting — mostly power because I was too scared to do any oly lifting in front of all the guys in the university gym. Last summer I biked across the country from Jacksonville, FL, to Montery, CA, which left me with strong legs, and not so strong anything else. When I moved here I was excited to pick up where I left off with lifting and learn more.

What does a typical week of training look like for you?
A sample week of training includes: Monday morning strength; Tuesday morning Hybrid, afternoon strength; Thursday morning Hybrid, afternoon strength; (sometimes) Friday morning fusion, afternoon yoga; Saturday strength; Sunday yoga. I sit at work for about 7 hours a day — which sucks, because I love what I do — but I would rather be outside moving around, so I try to get in as much active time as I can handle. When I start focusing on Olympic lifting, my schedule will change, which will be an interesting adjustment.

What’s your favorite part of Olympic lifting and strength training in general?
My favorite part of weightlifting and oly lifting is that it’s based on hard work, and that there’s always something to improve upon. It’s a never ending goal to lift more with better technique than I did the day before. My favorite part of strength class in general is the people, as well as the camaraderie. Matt always keeps us on our toes, puts up with our silliness, and has me cracking up every time!

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Are you planning on competing?
I would love to compete! Physically, I am all in. Mentally, I’m trying to get to that same level. Samantha [Lower] is so great! I’m really excited to work with her and soak up anything she has to share.

How do you feel you have grown as an athlete since joining DBS?
I have grown so much since joining DBS. I feel like I’ve been doing these movements for a while, but at DBS I’m finally starting to do them right. At DBS there is a great emphasis on the balance between work, rest, and mobility that I haven’t seen anywhere else; this has helped me the most as an athlete to get stronger.

What would you tell someone who is intimidated, scared or doesn’t think they would be good at weightlifting?
Don’t think about it too much. I think It’s so hard to make someone believe what you see in them, and I think a lot of people are stronger than they think. That, and practice makes perfect!

Inspire 30: Success!

The results are in! Inspire 30 was a huge success for our members who participated. In case you don’t know, Inspire 30 is a routine-driven method for achieving healthy fitness and lifestyle goals over a thirty day period that will help you break through your fitness rut. Members volunteered to take this extra step and took part in the challenge. We at the Shop are extremely proud of everyone who participated, and if you’re thinking about taking your fitness to the next level, we encourage you to take the plunge into Inspire 30! But don’t take it from us, hear it from community members who already have:

Sabrina Perez

After the first meeting where all the program goals and requirements were explained to us, I thought it was near impossible to accomplish. I have never been very disciplined in my eating habits or in my workouts, but after doing The Inspire 30 program, so many things in my life have changed. I now think about the food that is going into my mouth and the consequences it will have on my body. My fiancé was not thrilled with how radically I went about changing our diet and the food that is kept in our house. After 2 weeks of eating clean, he was all about it. He started asking ME to look up new recipes. Overall, Inspire 30 helped both of us. I always look at product labels, I’m excited about working out and I don’t even want to eat the foods I used to. A great bonus is that my wedding dress is needing to be taken in and I didn’t need to do anything crazy to make that happen.

Arun Dev

When I told people I was doing Inspire 30, three questions popped up a lot: Is it a cleanse?” Is it a weight loss program? Is this where you eat Paleo for 30 days? The answer is none of the above. I saw Inspire 30 as an opportunity to reboot my system, eat clean, get plenty of sleep, recommit to my training, focus on the important things in my life with an amazing support group at the Shop. The program encouraged me to set goals and get back on track after a rough 2013 holiday season filled with travel, food binges, and no training. Coach Leann and the other participants held each other accountable, and it was great to see the support when people hit roadblocks during the 30 day program. Leann’s daily motivational email was both inspirational and filled with useful information on food, training, and life. I would highly encourage people to give the Inspire 30 a shot—it will change your life for the better. Now, I experienced greater energy levels, eat healthier cleaner meals (most of which I prepare), and feel better all round.

Liz Rivera

I didn’t really know what to expect from Inspire 30. I had some goals to lose some more weight and so I figured this would really help me out.

Day One, we did burpees and a short benchmark workout to provide our starting numbers. Then we chatted about what Inspire30 was about, and to me it was about stepping outside of my comfort zone.

We were asked not to consume any dairy for 30 days, and if we couldn’t commit to 30 days, then how about 10? My first reaction was like, “Hell no, I’m not giving up half and half in my coffee!”, but I was committed to trying something new, so I did, and I actually went without dairy for over 30 days! Since then, I have had some half and half in my coffee, but no cheese and no other dairy products. So, what sounded like a horrible idea at the beginning really became a new lifestyle for me.

It also reaffirmed that making small changes to my diet can have a really be impact in the long run. My frequency of “cheat meals” also decreased and I started to cook a little bit more at home. Now I cook a lot of my meals at home. I still go out to eat, but it has decreased quite a bit as well.

What Inspire 30 did for me overall was help me make small tweaks to my diet that I would have been unwilling to make if I had not committed to this. When we retested, my burpees increased by one, and I significantly improved my numbers on the benchmark workout. Per Leann, I “blew it out of the water.” If you are stuck in a rut or don’t know what direction to go in, I would recommend Inspire 30 to help you get started on your new lifestyle.
 

To learn more about Inspire 30, contact leann@danesbodyshop.com!

March Fusion Athlete: Brady Glos

The clientele at the Shop comes from all walks of life. From students to professors, seasoned athletes to beginners, every member of our community has a different story to tell. Our next March Fusion Athlete relies on fitness and endurance for his work as a firefighter.

Brady Glos finds time to get to the shop in between his 24 hour shifts at the firehouse. We spoke with Brady about his experience at the Shop, and how his fitness works for him whether he on- or off-the-clock.

Congratulations, Brady!

How did you hear about Dane’s Body Shop and how long have you been coming to classes?
I heard about Dane’s from a co-worker and decided I would come check it out and give it a shot. I have been coming to the shop since December and I really enjoy it here.

You are a firefighter and good physical condition. How have the classes at Dane’s benefited your training regimen and fitness so you can do your job well?
I think the classes have helped my lung and muscular endurance. I feel that both of these are a big part of what I do. I can tell that it takes more work to wear me down as opposed to a few months ago.

You must work some crazy hours as a firefighter, how do you manage to get your DBS classes in as well?
I think my schedule actually works out really well with the classes. I work 24 hours on shift and then 48 hours off shift. We have shift change at 12 noon so if I need to I can get a workout in before work. The next day when I get off, I can swing in for an evening class.

What is your fitness background? Have you always been into working out? Any specific sports you have played consistently?
I played all sports growing up and then focused primarily on baseball. I received a small scholarship to the University of Houston and played for a couple seasons. I have always been active and worked out since hanging it up. I just discovered rock climbing through some co-workers and really enjoy that.

What goals have you set for your self since joining DBS?

The only goal I have set for myself was to just be in better shape and push myself through limits. I struggle to push myself when working out on my own. That’s why I am here. I owe it to the people I work for and work with to be in good physical shape.

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What are your favorite exercises at the Shop?
Favorite exercises are dead lift and back squats, even though my legs don’t show it.

If you were to recommend DBS to a friend, what would be your top reasons for joining in 2 sentences or less.
If you want an environment that will help you to push past your boundaries and get in better shape, then Dane’s is for you.

March Fusion Athlete: Maggie Hines

Look at how quickly time flies! It’s already March, and that means it’s time for a new Fusion Athlete!

Our first Fusion Athlete for the month of March is Maggie Hines! Congratulations! Maggie continuously demonstrates strength and enthusiasm regardless of how tough the workout is. We talked with Maggie about her work with the Shop and how that benefits her daily life, as well.

Keep up the great work, Maggie! We’re happy to have you in the community!

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

I first heard about DBS through my sister, Kate. She bought a deal through her school for an outdoor workout. She eventually got me to come along with her once she started at the actual Shop. I have been coming off and on for about 2 years.

Have you always enjoyed working out, or is this something new for you?

Not really, I came irregularly for a while, but the Inspire 30 really made me commit to a schedule. I would say that coming consistently is a new thing for me and it’s really making a difference in my life.

Tell us more about your experience completing Inspire 30.What three benefits have you noticed?

I have found that by following the Inspire 30 guidelines I am happier, healthier, and more energetic. Changing my diet was a huge part of this. What I was drinking and eating was making me lag at work and I was tired throughout the day. Now I feel like I am eating things that are good for me but also give me the energy I need to get through a work day. I have also lost a lot of weight changing my diet, which is always nice. I don’t even find myself wanting the food I used to eat. Now I just think about the stomach-ache it’s probably going to give me, which is a pretty good deterrent. After I finished a few weeks of the Inspire 30, I felt happier in the morning at work. I didn’t need coffee (which I also gave up), I smiled a lot more, and I complained less at work. I feel like the program gave me the ability to be in control of my happiness. I was never grumpy because I ate something bad for me that made me feel guilty, or mad at myself for skipping the gym. I was happy with the choices I was making which in return made me happier all around. I knew that if I was in a bad mood it was a choice I was making at that moment, not because of something I had done that day to stem a bad feeling inside of me.

You’re a horseback rider. How does your work at the Shop help with your riding?

Dane’s helps me with riding through strength and endurance. I find it much easier to control the crazy horses when my core and arms are strong enough to sit back and hold on when they’re doing whatever they want to do. The strength in my legs has also played a large part when I’m practicing jumping courses. If my legs aren’t strong enough to encourage the horse to jump, they won’t go. Luckily when they don’t jump and I ask them to, now my legs are strong enough to keep me from falling in the dirt. Dunte has been working on our balance some in Fusion N Go. Balance plays a big part when riding. The slightest movement of your body to the right, left, front, or back can completely change your horse’s ability to jump a great jump or move in the best way. You have to be very strong to stay in one spot and be able to move fluidly in a balanced motion so that your horse is able get his 1,200 lbs over some pretty big jumps without knocking anything down.

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What is most recent PR on a lift? Which lift would you like to work on next?

I actually have 2 pretty recent PR’s. I got a 125lb front squat, and a 90lb push press. I think I want to work on my clean and jerk next. For some reason, those are really hard for me.

You have started cooking your meals and lunches and planning your menu the Sunday before the week starts. How has this helped you? What is your favorite recipe so far?

This is really helpful for me because it doesn’t allow me to get off track with my diet. If I already have the groceries and my breakfast for the week is already made I feel obligated to eat it. If I didn’t have anything at home I would probably want to go grab something quick, which most of the time isn’t something I should be eating. My favorite recipe is this slow-cooker Asian pork. I put it in in the morning when I go to school and then it’s ready when I get home. I roll it up into lettuce wraps and put sriracha and some cabbage on it.

You are often in the Fusion N Go class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. What do you love about Dunte and this fast-paced class?

I love Dunte! He’s so inspiring and motivational. The first time I heard that he was my age, I was in shock. He is so smart and seems so knowledgeable and cultured; I didn’t think anyone my age could possibly be as mature as he is. I love the Fusion N Go classes because I get just as hard of a workout but in a crunched time period. There’s no time to stop and catch your breath or you miss valuable minutes of the workout. I like how it’s straight and to the point. You’re in, you’re out, you’re exhausted, but you feel great.

Why would you tell a friend to join in Dane’s in two sentences?

The Shop has changed my life for the better, not only the classes, but the programs, coaches, and people have made a huge impact on me. Dane’s is a place where you will be inspired, motivated, challenged, and you will become disciplined, stronger, and happier.