January Fusion Athlete: Chris Primeau

When he’s not shredding guitar, he’s shredding through our workouts; and if you’ve busted butt in Hybrid, you’ve met one of this month’s Fusion Athletes, Chris Primeau. Chris has been a dedicated member of the DBS community for a couple years, and his drive, discipline, and hustle has remained unwavering throughout the time we’ve known him. And if, as he says below, he spends more time on guitar than he does on his fitness, we can only imagine how sick his licks are!

Take a moment and get to know Chris, one of our January Fusion Athletes!

 

You are a musician, but a damn good athlete, too. Which came first?

I think technically athletics came first. I was a wrestler in middle school and a boxer in high school. I bought my first guitar when I was thirteen and it quickly became my passion. Both require the same kind of daily discipline and routine to improve. Music is my full-time job now, so athletics and training are my escape from work.

How have you transformed since you joined DBS?

The first thing I noticed was within a few weeks all the mobility work made it a lot easier to turn my head around when backing my car out. There was a time when I couldn’t stick my arms straight above my head, but after a few weeks at DBS my posture and mobility really improved. Now I’m way more confident in my body and athleticism. Sometimes, when I’m walking around town, I like to challenge myself to jump on top of things box jump style. The only thing that kept me from attempting to jump from my porch to the hood of my car this morning was the fact that I was wearing sandals.

You teach people of all ages how to play music. What have you learned through fitness?

That a really good question. There are a lot of similarities between learning music and fitness. There’s a brick in the strength room that reads something to the effect of “Don’t be upset with the results you didn’t get from the work you didn’t do.” That’s really the undying lesson of life. Genetics, circumstance, and luck will always play a factor in your level of success, but those are things which we cannot control. However, we can control our effort, discipline, and focus; and, ultimately, if you keep doing something enough, you will improve.

By the way, shout out to my guitar student Greg. I convinced him to join DBS a few months ago after showing him the promo video and talking it up. Greg, stop reading this, and go practice your guitar!

You recently participated in the DBS Weightlifting Meet. How did that go? Do you plan on competing more in the future?

The powerlifting meet was awesome. There was a lot more drama and entertainment than I anticipated. Everyone was really amped and nervous. Plus, I got to meet a lot of people who I otherwise wouldn’t because we attend class at different times.

My goal was to finish at the top of my weight class, though I did not expect to win best overall lifter. I’ll probably do a couple more of these in-house meets, and if I keep doing well, I’ll step out into more local competitions. I really hope we keep doing meets as, much like a recital, it gives us something for which to train. Perhaps after the Olympic lifting meet, we could hold a spelling bee. That’d be high comedy.

You attend morning strength and Hybrid fusion—both in the same day. How do you maintain this regimen, making sure you aren’t overdoing it, while still gaining the benefits from both programs?

First, I try get as much sleep as possible and eat plenty. I have 4-plus hours in between the two classes, so I make sure to go home and eat. I actually find the two programs complement each other very well. We do more low-rep power movements in strength and more high-rep muscle endurance work in hybrid, so as long as you do strength class first, you’ll have enough left in the tank. I only do that two days

a week and never plan to go more than 3 days at the Shop without a day of rest.

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What are 3 life or fitness goals you have for 2014?

My primary goal for 2014 is to apply for grad school in guitar. So my rule is that I am not allowed to spend more time on fitness than I am on guitar. Fitness wise, however, I want to squat 400 pounds and deadlift 500 pounds by the end of the year. And I’d like to be able to handstand walk across the fusion room. Maybe I’ll learn a backflip just to keep things interesting.

Describe in two sentences what DBS has done for you.

DBS has made me stronger, faster, more flexible and more mobile than I ever thought possible. It also forced me to buy a bunch of new shirts.

  Read more about our previous Fusion Athletes here.

December Fusion Athlete: Liz Rivera

Congratulations to our December Fusion Athlete, Liz Rivera! Liz has been a dedicated member of the DBS community for the past year. She’s made some major changes in her life that have positively affected her health and well-being, and we’re glad to have been a part of the process!

Wonderful work, Liz! We’re proud to have you in the community!

How long have you been coming to DBS, and how did you get started?

I started coming to DBS in January of this year.  I was pretty bored with my current workout regimen and I was really looking for something else to do.  Just so happened I was sitting in one of my favorite coffee shops and I picked up a magazine that featured DBS as one of the top places for training.

I called the shop and Dane answered.  I gave him a bit of my background, and he suggested that I come in to check things out.  We talked about the best way for me to transition from my current regime, Ashtanga yoga, to working out at the Shop.  It was decided that it would be best for me to start with some personal training and then move into classes.  Thank God I listened…

You have an incredible story of perseverance. Can you fill us in a little on your background and how far you’ve come?

Absolutely, this one of my favorite things to share.  Over 4 years ago I was pretty much the epitome of bad health.  I was over 340 pounds,  I had sleep apnea (where you stop breathing in your sleep), I drank and smoked in excess, and I ate fast food for pretty much every meal.  I had no stop button once I started eating and I lived by the “clean your plate” rule.

I tried time and time again to lose weight and get “skinny” to no avail.  After years of yo-yo dieting, emotional and mental anguish, and finally reaching a point where my body was in such bad shape, I was able to make a change.

I eventually became sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I quit drinking and smoking and I started eating a little bit healthier. Slowly but surely, I began to feel better and the weight started to fall off.  Over the course of these past 4 years, I have lost about 140 pounds, fourteen dress sizes and over a hundred plus inches from my body.

What I gained was the ability to listen to the likes and dislikes of my body.  I learned that I could keep off a 100 pound loss through a yearlong plateau.  And I learned to look at how far I’ve come rather than how far I have to go.

I have gone from barely being able to walk up a flight of stairs to working my ass off at DBS.  I had a terrible time getting on the floor to pick something up and an even harder time getting back up.  And getting in and out of a car… hard!  These are things that most people “deal with” when they’re heavy.  But today I get on and off the floor a lot with our WOD and especially with that exercise that we all love to hate, “The Burpee!”  Seriously, never would have thought that I would be doing that!

There have been times that I’ve left the Shop in tears or started crying in class, in awe of what I’m able to accomplish now.  When I was extremely obese, it was only in my dreams that I could see myself doing these things, but today I AM doing them!

After training with Veronica for a while, you began taking classes regularly. Can you tell us a little about that transition?

I was excited and nervous to go into classes.  I trained with Veronica for 20 sessions so going into classes was going to be a lot different, but she trained me very well.  I knew a lot of the exercises and I worked as hard as I could.

I’m really glad though that I started off training with Veronica before throwing myself into the classes.  I needed that time to get accustomed to my new regimen.  I needed to work through a lot of my mental blocks.  I had been working out on my own for years and now I was accountable to someone who really pushed me to break through those mental blocks.

My first class was with Dane, and I told him that I was scared, and he told me not to be.  I really enjoyed the class atmosphere and all of the people in the class.  So, it was an awesome transition.

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Tell us one of your biggest accomplishments in the last 6 months? Do you have any goals for the next 6?

I FINALLY did a squat to parallel.  I seriously couldn’t do it and it was frustrating. But I continued to train and do the best that I could and then one day I just did it!  It was just in time for the powerlifting meet.  No red cards for me on the squat!

I want to continue to build my strength and hit my goal weight and I want to be able to deadlift 300+ pounds.

You recently switched your diet from strict vegan to meat-eating.  Why did you make this decision, and how do you feel it has affected your performance at the Shop?

I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian for about 2 years.  I wouldn’t eat any other animal products, including broths.

My level of training increased and I wasn’t getting enough protein and I didn’t want to supplement all of my protein.  My body then really started to crave meat again so one day I made the decision to eat meat again and I haven’t looked back since.

I feel that it has really helped me get a lot stronger and be able to perform at a higher level.

After competing in your first weightlifting meet, do you feel this is something you will continue to pursue in the future?  How did you feel before, during and after the competition?

I will definitely continue to pursue powerlifting.  I powerlifted for 4 years when I was younger, but I never competed, so this is bucket list stuff for me.  I had reconstructive knee surgery about 16 years ago, that coupled with my weight gain caused me to develop pretty bad osteoarthritis in my left knee, so I never thought that I could ever lift or compete.

I’m so glad that I did because I love it!  One thing I had to do was “let go” of what I did in the past.  20 years later, I’m in a completely different place, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Before the competition I was very excited, this was a long-time dream of mine.  I felt great during and hitting PRs was awesome!  After the competition I knew that I wanted to continue to pursue this!

In a few sentences tell us what DBS and its community means to you.

The DBS coaches and the community have helped me realize that I am not limited to the old ideas in my head. I am not weak; I am strong – physically, emotionally and mentally.  I see people each time I work out doing amazing things and that along with encouragement from so many people helps me to get the next level.

I could not have gotten where I am today without all of the support that I receive from this awesome community.  Thank you DBS!

 

To schedule a consultation and join the DBS community, click here.

 

November Fusion Athlete: Ari Franklin

He’s the man with the plan, and his plan involves showing the DBS community a good time! Ari Franklin has been instrumental in helping out with Shop events like the Zombie Run, Assassins, DBS Field Day, the commercial shoot, and more! He’s also an extremely hard worker during our workouts, having overcome a major injury, Ari is a guy who knows how to bounce back and make it count! That’s why we’re glad to name Ari one of our November Fusion Athletes!

Great work, Ari! Thank you so much for being such an involved and inspiring member of the community!

Ari, you have been a behind the scenes kind of guy here at the Shop,helping put on our past couple events, helping with the commercial shoot, and just overall support system for a while now. How did you hear about DBS and when did you get started working out at the Shop?

A little over a year ago my friends, CJ and Christine, decided to run one of the zombie 5Ks happening in Austin together. We were entrepreneurs who tended to put health and fitness at the bottom of our priorities, so, needless to say, we were pretty blob-like. We had to get into better shape.

We heard about the Pease Park boot camps and decided to give it a shot. I’ve always been a big fan of body weight and Calisthenics type workouts, and right from the start, the tabata- and AMRAP-focused DBS bootcamps struck me as different and fit me perfectly.

Our very first time we were greeted warmly by Shop veterans “Coach Terryl” and Marc S. And, I mean, once you go to Austin Java with those guys, how can you not come back the next time?!

You have a pretty incredible story of surviving a traumatic life event. Not many people know the entire story, but can you give us a brief description of what happened and how DBS has helped you continue to be physically active?

Well, to make a long story short, I was injured playing lacrosse, and I was told that if I didn’t die, I wouldn’t ever run again and would likely need to walk with a cane. Luckily, at the time, I was young and dumb and basically didn’t listen. I went pretty hard into all kinds of physical and occupational therapy. After a few years, I was “graduated” and had to take it upon myself to keep somewhat healthy. Since then, I’ve done my best, but, as I mentioned above, I found it way harder than I thought to balance entrepreneurship with staying fit.

I consider DBS one of my favorite things about living in Austin. I’m so thankful to be a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community that gives me motivation and energy to make fitness a lifestyle, not just another thing to check off the list. From Dane and Leann, to the coaches, to all the members, DBS is truly more than a gym to me, it’s a team. And we’re all working to be better together, and we push each other to succeed in all things.

You attend our Sunday Pease Park Bootcamps (held every 1st and 3rd Sunday) pretty religiously. What keeps you coming back for more?

Pease Park bootcamps are something I always look forward to. Just like any time I’m at the Shop, being around the people at DBS is a good excuse to hang out with friends and learn more about everyone.

Another great thing about the bootcamps is that, because it’s free, you see a ton of new faces that you may not see around the Shop. It’s always cool to welcome a new person into the community over brunch at Austin Java after the workouts.

Finally (and I might get a target on my back after this comment), I secretly love hill sprints.

When you are not at the Shop you are running your Uberpong business and being artistic! Tell us more about these two aspects of your life.

Before I moved to Austin, I went to art school and worked in advertising in Chicago. In my free time, I helped out with a massive art gallery on the South Side. Through that I realized that I might feel more fulfilled doing something entrepreneurial rather than straight working for the man. So I moved out to Austin to start a tech company called OurPangea with my cousin.

Naturally, after the tech world, I progressed into the ping pong business and took on leading the social ping pong movement with Uberpong, where I act as a hybrid operations, marketing, and experience director. The demanding, fast-paced high risk/reward approach you need to take in entrepreneurship fascinates and intrigues me, and is one thing that carries over in my attitude towards both business and fitness. I like being behind the scenes (as my involvement in DBS also reflects) and be the one to bring people together and make a plan happen.

If you could describe the biggest appeal or benefit from coming to DBS, what would that be?

The people, hands down. Sure, you get a great workout and get to meet some really inspiring athletes, but it’s not the DBS community’s fitness prowess that is the only appeal. Coming to the Shop, you get the feeling from everyone you meet that we’re in it together, regardless of if that “together” means enough wall sits to make you forget how to sit down. Every person I know at the Shop is someone I consider a friend, and I know most people there share that sentiment with everyone they meet. There aren’t any egos. It’s almost like it’s just a bunch of buddies hanging out who coincidentally are running 400 [meters] at the same time.

What health goals do you have for the immediate future?

In April, I ran my first Tough Mudder, which was a big leap for me. I’ve become sort of an outdoor adventure race fanatic and teamed up with some fellow DBSers to run these races in the past (shout out to Team DB!). Competitive lifting and long-distance running aren’t my bag, so I think keeping a healthy regimen of mud runs and obstacle courses is a great way to challenge and improve my overall fitness fortitude without having to take myself too seriously.

Tell us your vision for DBS in the next 2 years?

Of course I want to see DBS become as successful as possible. I’m excited for the expansion, future South location opening, and the eventual global takeover. DBS has found the secret to making people love fitness regardless of their experience or background, and as long as that remains central to the DBS community, I think the sky’s the limit. ♦

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

November Fusion Athlete: Abbey Gonzales

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.

 

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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!

October Fusion Athlete: Ben Sledge

If you’ve attended a late afternoon class at DBS, whether it’s Fusion or Strength, then you’ve worked out alongside our next October Fusion Athlete, Ben Sledge. Ben has proven to be a very driven member of the community, and he’s also a constant source of inspiration and motivation in and out of the gym.

We asked Ben a few questions about what brought him to DBS from CrossFit, bouncing back from injuries, and some advice for new members.

Congratulations, Ben!

How did you hear about Dane’s Body Shop?

My wife had gotten Groupon for 10 classes and went and said it nearly killed her and I would love it. I had plateaued in my strength conditioning and cardio and couldn’t find the motivation to keep pushing myself and knew I needed a big change, so I dropped by Dane’s, tried a class, and fell in love with it!

You were previously a CrossFitter. What made you leave CrossFit and come to DBS? What do you see is the biggest difference between the classes and programming styles?

When you don’t have someone to watch over you and make small corrections to your form or point out where there’s a need for mobility and function it can quickly lead to injury. I found myself getting hurt often and pushing myself to levels that weren’t healthy, and I sacrificed form for completing quick workouts, and that’s dangerous. I wanted a place that focused on durability, longevity, form, and strength to transform me into an athlete, as opposed to a machine that pumps out reps in an allotted time. When I arrived at Dane’s, the first thing I noticed was that anytime my form failed the coaches would have me drop significant weight and focus on getting it right. The programming is similar in high intensity, but you don’t see people passing out and instead are pushing themselves to achieve healthy goals. Additionally, the HUGE difference for me was the strength class, which is a full hour of just lifting extremely heavy weight for low reps and focusing on Olympic form. Then toss in Yoga, and you’re set to become a really high functioning athlete!

You have battled with injuries, what motivates you to come back into the Shop and get back after it?

Funny enough, all my injuries have just been dumb luck outside the gym or old military injuries I had to get seen for. You turn 30 and suddenly your body stops liking you. Somehow I can go to bed now and hurt myself sleeping! But what keeps me coming back is the desire to live healthy and they way it makes me feel rejuvenated after a long, or particularly challenging day at the office. It’s a giant relief and calms me down and gets out the day’s frustrations. What makes it even better are the great folks at Dane’s that show up and encourage you too!

You come from a military background physical fitness is in your blood, how has DBS continued to inspire you to stay physically fit?

They have a saying in the military that goes, “If you don’t mind, it don’t matter”. It was in reference to all the physically strenuous activities we would have to go through during Special Warfare Indoctrination and Training and their “secret” to how to make it through. The truth is, so much of what drives us forward in being physically fit is going to be our mental grit. The day we want to stay home from the gym. The day we want a cheeseburger instead of a salad. The time where we want to give up in class and say “this whole fitness thing isn’t working”. Mental grit is being able to overcome those things. And at Dane’s I hear this attitude all the time, “well, I wanted to stay home, but I had to battle that and am here at the 5:30 class”. That’s impressive. And to have a community that wants to propel you forward by setting the example is something I can rally around. It was the same in the military. If you didn’t do it all together, you all fell apart.

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We see you as a leader in class and around the DBS community. What vision do you have for your future at DBS and among our community?

Ha, that’s very humbling and I feel unworthy to be called that, but thank you. I like to view myself as more of a servant and encourager. I want people to know they can make it through the grueling challenges and that I believe in them even when they don’t. It’s incredible to see how far men and women will go an extra mile with just a little support. As far as future, I’m moving south so I’m excited about the possibility of the South facility! I’d love to see new people joining our community, going from out-of-shape to fit, and continuing to destroy at competitions like AFM’s Fittest!

You are now working for HeartSupport, tell us a little bit more about that company and what they do?

HeartSupport is a nonprofit started by Jake Luhrs, the lead singer of renowned metal band August Burns Red. He started it as a way to reach the numerous teenagers and adults that were coming up to him after shows talking about their struggles and addictions and as a way for them to find help. We deal a lot in counseling for any and everyone, whether it’s depression, drug or alcohol dependency, suicidal ideation, relationship issues, sexual abuse, cutting… the list goes on. At Heartsupport, we drop the false pretense and embrace authenticity and the healing it comes with. And when we do, we find encouragement and spiritual strengthening. We’re all Christians and build on a foundation of faith for healing, but half of our audience is not and we welcome everyone from all walks of spiritual beliefs as we just want to love them and do life with them.

You have done the Paleo 30 day challenge and when you are injured you try to stay pretty strict Paleo. Explain to us a little more about what that entails and the results you have seen from going Paleo.

The diet entails basically eating non-processed protein, veggies, and fruit, as well as essential fats from nuts. It doesn’t restrict you on the amount you can eat, but what foods you can eat. Avoiding gluten is HUGE in the paleo diet, and I’ve really seen results from that. I first got into it when a friend introduced me through CrossFit. At first I thought it was just another hot diet fad… until I tried it. I used to get sinus infections all the time and was sick quite a few times a year, but that’s because I also really didn’t watch what I ate. To be honest, when I don’t eat Paleo, I feel like trash these days. My body honestly feels better and I’m able to perform at higher levels in the gym and have more energy. An added benefit is it will absolutely SHRED your body quickly as well. I used to take supplements all the time. These days I just eat clean and stick to it because of how great I feel.

What advice would you give any new member just joining DBS?

Start small. Small steps make the biggest changes. If you can make it to the gym twice a week, do that and build from there. If you hate working out, commit to at least twice a week and track your results on paper (NOT MENTALLY). Once you see the change it has on your health, well-being, mood, and athleticism you’ll slowly begin to grow from there and make incredible gains. Going back to that idea of mental grit, if you can overcome the obstacle of “you” then the body will respond in kind. ♦

To become a member of the DBS community, register for your first class here!

October fusion athlete: Liz Campo

No workout is complete without a set of strict pull-ups, at least that is the approach taken by DBS member Liz Campo, our first October Fusion Athlete! We’re continually amazed by Liz’s commitment to her strength and her persistence in the face of a challenge. Congratulations, Liz! Your hard work and positivity is an inspiration to the entire Dane’s Body Shop community!  

How did you hear about DBS, and how long have you been a member?

I have been coming since May. I recently moved to Austin, and I was looking for a gym that offered

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classes with strength training. I was talking about gyms to a rep from a local fitness magazine at my company’s health fair back in May and DBS came up, so I decided to check it out!

What was your fitness background before joining DBS?

I don’t have much of an athletic background. I started jogging and going to the gym in college without any real plan or direction. I threw some yoga and rock climbing in the mix, but it wasn’t until about a year ago, during my last few months of school, that I got serious about fitness when I joined a Crossfit gym.

How have the classes at DBS changed your view of working out and overall wellness?

I love how all of the trainers at Dane’s put a lot of emphasis on how to [perform workouts] correctly and safely. The coaches explain how the body works functionally during the movements and give some solid advice on keeping good form. I really trust the coaches and learn a lot from the feedback, so I’m less afraid to go hard and grab some heavy weights!

You are a woman who loves to go to Strength class. What is it about the strength classes that you like?

Something about lifting heavy weights is really fun to me, and I find it to be a great stress reliever. I like being able to set a goal and work towards it and strength class is a really good fit for that. Matt’s programming is really creative and effective, so it’s cool to see check back in every few weeks with 1 rep maxes and hit new PR’s!

What is your biggest accomplishment since joining the Shop?

I was excited to get back into my sets of strict pull ups! I was able to do them before taking some time off, and when I got back, I could barely do a couple with a large band. After some practice, I’m back at it!

What fitness goals do you have set in the next month or so?

I have a couple weight goals set for the lifts, like hitting a 100 lb bench or 115 lb clean. The big one I’ve been shooting for is to do a set of 10 strict pull ups! If I can do those by Thanksgiving, I’d be super stoked!!!

If you could invent your own movement what would it be and what would you call it?

Oh man, I feel like everyone has already thought of the craziest things and it always blows my mind! We’ve been doing a lot of relay-type things on Saturday mornings in strength, so maybe my movement would be a group thing with a plank lineup shoulder-to-shoulder and pass down some heavy dumbbells, like a torturous game of hot potato…so I’d probably call it that! (My apologies in advance if this actually gets programmed!)

What in your opinion do you think makes DBS unique compared to other styles of working out or other gyms?

I think the community is really what drew me in and makes me excited to work out. Both the trainers and the other members are really supportive and encouraging. From day one, people were high-fiving me and were really welcoming. I really appreciate that, especially being new to the area. And everyone just has great energy! I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to the Shop after a long day of work if I wasn’t having so much fun! Stay tuned for our next Fusion Athlete for the month of October! To become a member, click here to register for classes!

Sept Fusion Athletes: Sarah and Lauren Van Ert

You’ve probably seen Sarah and Lauren Van Ert from our daily strength and fusion classes. They really dig in to the workouts and have a great time doing it! Since they have such a positive attitude, in addition to their outstanding drive throughout each class, we are happy to name them our Fusion Athletes of the Month! As you know, a community is only as good as its members, and Sarah and Lauren are definitely a strong component of the DBS family. Congratulations! We asked them a few questions about their experience with the Shop and how being identical twins has influenced their approach to life and fitness.

How long have you been working out at DBS? How did you find us?

Lauren: We have been working out at Dane’s since December 2012. We actually found out about the Shop online. We were researching gyms to join in Austin, and DBS really stood out to us as a great fit. After trying out the first class, we were excited to continue to grow with the Shop! Sarah: We started because my boyfriend, who also

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works out at the Shop, was involved in Crossfit in school in San Marcos and loved it. After lots of research, Lauren and I tried out Veronica’s 7:30 class and loved it. Although, eating dinner before the workout wasn’t the best idea we ever had…

Is it easy to be motivated to come when your sister will be there or in the next class?

  Lauren: Oh, yes. Anyone who has worked out with us may know we are a little competitive! If Sarah is able to lift a certain amount of weight, complete X amount of AMRAPs, or run a certain distance, you bet I am going to do it, also! I think that ultimately this helps us improve and continue to stay motivated. Sarah: Ditto to what Lauren said! We are around the same level at most exercises, so we keep each other motivated through competition and encouragement. There are definitely fewer lazy days when you have a twin to keep you motivated!

What are you the most competitive about?

Lauren: Being identical twins, we’re compared to each other on a daily basis. While this has definitely been difficult at times, I also find that a certain level of competitiveness does help us — in moderation! We are the most competitive about working out and eating healthy to a certain extent. We’re both pretty competitive. Sarah: Twins grow up spending their lives being compared, so we are a naturally competitive. Going to different colleges definitely helped us grow into separate people, and we are more supportive of each other today than we have been in the past. The problem we encounter as twins is that since other people compare us, we compare ourselves a lot, and that can be unhealthy. So it’s a cyclical process of sorts, and I feel we are doing better now that we both are getting fit and healthy at the Shop!

You often attend the Fusion n’ Go with coach Dunte, what do you love about this class?

Lauren:I love the energy in this class! Dunte knows how to keep athletes in his classes motivated, engaged, and going! Despite being a “shorter” workout, this workout is no joke. Sarah:I love the quick pace of the workouts, even though I may say differently during the class. I feel that the quick pace helps a lot with my stamina during cardio weeks, and has improved my explosiveness in running and box jumps. Dunte is just a fun guy to workout with. He’s so positive and encouraging!

What is the biggest difference you have seen since coming to DBS?

Lauren: Gaining an understanding of and appreciation for what being healthy and proactive means for my life has been transformative. My energy levels have gone way up, and I feel very satisfied, accomplished, and happy with the changes I have made and how they have impacted other areas of my life as well. Sarah: I used to really struggle finding a balance with work and going to the gym, since I was exhausted after a long day at the office. With Dane’s, I feel that the workouts actually give me more energy, and I have an excitement about going to the gym that I haven’t experienced since my high school sports days.

What is your favorite movement and your least favorite movement?

Lauren: My favorite movement are KB swings and deadlifts. My least favorite is running — something I am trying to work on! Sarah: I love box jumps and KB swings. My least favorite movement is lunges, hands down!

When you think of DBS and your future, what goals do you have for yourself and for the Shop?

Lauren: My goal is to continue to be a DBS regular! I try to make classes 4 times a week. Honestly, I can’t see myself ever not being at Dane’s! My current goal is to improve on my running. Sarah: My goal is to continue to make four Dane’s workouts each week! Lauren and I are working on improving our running endurance both inside and outside of the shop, and try to run the greenbelt by our apartment on weekends. I also want to continue to improve my Olympic lifts, both in form and in weight.

Become a part of our vibrant fitness community here!

August Fusion Athletes: Octavio Ulloa & Janell Fondry

You know her from class, working hard, smiling, and bustin’ some dances moves. And you’ve probably seen him in Fusion, Strength, and Run Group churning out reps and getting stronger everyday. They are Janell Fondry and Octavio Ulloa, the DBS August Fusion Athletes!

Our Fusion Athletes of the Month demonstrate strength, commitment, and community through their enthusiasm for health and fitness. Janell and Octavio represent what we love about our community.

We asked them about their experience at the Shop, some goals, accomplishments, and the future!

Congratulations, Janell and Octavio, and keep up the great work!

What brought you to Dane’s Body Shop?

Octavio: I drove by several times and decided to call one day and find out how it works. This person I spoke to spent a lot of time describing each class, the vibe of the shop, and the payment system. They were extremely nice and helpful which was a really good sign and they made me feel like I wasn’t joining a cult and just another “gym” which excited me. Before hanging up I asked for their name and it turned out to be Dane. That was all I needed. I showed up the next morning. Any person, especially an owner, that takes that much time to make you feel welcome is what made me think this was a different kind of place.

Janell: I had seen DBS as a twinkle on Dane’s Facebook page way back in the day when he had started workouts in the park.  After he opened the Shop, I made a couple trips to Austin from Dallas and made sure to give DBS a try.  When I moved to Austin in spring of 2012, I told Dane he was going to get another member!

 

What are your biggest goals or accomplishments at the Shop?

Octavio: Losing weight and regaining a sense of what health means to me has been transforming. Shaving minutes off my mile pace and getting stronger at the same time has  also been great. At the moment, I’m training to PR on a half marathon in October.

Janell: I really only try for one goal: To get in there 4-5 times per week.  I have accomplished it multiple times, but there have been times I’ve had trouble getting there four or five times per month!!  For the upcoming year, I’m hoping to keep that 4 times/week average throughout the year — no dropping off!!

What are you favorite and least favorite movements?

Octavio: I’m really starting to love the clean. There’s just something about the movement that makes you feel powerful and engaged. My least favorite is probably toes to bar, more because I can’t do it very well, but I’m practicing, so I hope to get better.

Janell: Chest presses are my favorite.  Running and burpees tie for my least favorite.
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Janell, you are always smiling, singing, and dancing around the Shop. You bring such great energy to the workouts! How do you keep your spirit up during the week?

This is my fun time,  like recess.  I have a very consuming job and going to the Shop is sometimes the most fun I have all day!!

 

Octavio, you’ve recently started helping coach the run groups with Brian, and it’s really starting to take off! Tell us more about the group and why someone who doesn’t normally run (or runs all the time) should join.

The run group offers a mix of speed and hill interval training and also a longer run on the weekends. We meet for speed/hill intervals on Tuesday and Wednesday night and longer runs on Saturday. It’s open to all, and we have different options depending on your running experience and background. Brian and I try to build workouts that will improve your speed and endurance so you can confidently prepare for a race or just increase your overall health. I’ve heard people say they hate running, and that’s fine. Running may not be your cup of tea and you may never have any desire to run a marathon. No problem. But if you are struggling in the fusion or hybrid classes when you run a 200 or a 400, that is something that you can improve on, just like any other movement or exercise at the shop. The DBS Run Group offers a welcoming, non judgmental, no ego environment where anyone can get encouragement to be whatever kind of runner you want to be. I think running is one of the greatest sports because you don’t need anything but a pair of shoes to do it. You can be anywhere in the world and just go. Plus its an amazing way to see a place in a completely different light.

 

What do you see for DBS in 2 years?

Octavio: I can see DBS having several shops in town. As far as I can se,e there seems to be and endless amount of interest from the community. I think within two years DBS could be hosting and sponsoring competitions like AFM or Crossfit. What I would love to see is the run group as one of the normal classes offered in the shop, just like fusion, hybrid,or strength. I would be proud to play any part in that.

Janell: As DBS grows, my hope is the community of members maintains its closeness.  I’m happy to hear about expansion, and hope that gives the crew an opportunity to add new programming to continue to foster an environment that encourages a healthy lifestyle!

Click here to be a part of the Dane’s Body Shop community!

July Fusion Athletes: Max Brenham & Robin Silberling!

Congratulations are in order for Robin Silberling and Max Brenham, our July Fusion Athletes!

Max and Robin were chosen for their commitment and dedication to fitness, whether it’s through pushing through daily Hybrid Fusion classes or working through major injury.

We’ve awarded them with our special Dane’s Body Shop log books that will help them keep track of their daily progress, as well as keep those Community Gains numbers tallied!

Max and Robin are part of our great community here at Dane’s, and we asked them a few questions about their experience here and what fitness means to them.

 

How has DBS affected your life on a daily basis and in general?

Max: Philosophically, for me, Dane’s is a constant reminder that consistent focused practice creates change. The steps I take in the gym to get better are transferable to other aspects of my life. I find that, now, I am much more active in looking for ways I can practice the things I want to improve, rather than simply doing them.

Practically, I find that as a result of going I have more energy, I am more focused, and I haven’t had to buy any new clothes.

Robin: Working out at least three days a week is an important personal goal, and a key part of my life that I schedule into my week. I had been previously been attending a very good boot camp so my fitness level was pretty good but had reached a plateau, and the DBS program has helped me get into a whole new level. I had never worked with barbells or kettle bells before, and I can feel the difference this has made. I love the feeling of getting stronger. The cardio, which is always a challenge for me, has slowly gotten easier. I know I’m older (and usually slower) than most people in the classes, but this makes me want to keep it up. I really want to be healthy, active and strong as I get older. I feel great!

 

Max, you joined DBS with an injury knowing you would eventually need surgery, what motivated you to keep working out?

I’ve had eight surgeries on my right leg. As a result, I’ve got a lot of experience recovering from traumatic injury. One thing I am certain of is that being strong helps anybody recover more quickly, and this only becomes more important as you age. In so far as I’m past 40, I wanted to make sure that I put myself in the best position to get the full benefits from my surgery.

I got a tremendous amount of external motivation from the coaches and members of DBS prior to my surgery. The spirit of the people really made the shop come alive for me and made me want to be there consistently. There’s a tremendous amount of knowledge, talent and athletic ability at Dane’s, but from my perspective those things are not encumbered by a lot of ego. As a consequence, for me it was and remains a place where I look forward to going.

 

Robin, you are a regular in the infamous HYBRID Fusion class and the new Fusion N Go class with Coach Dunte. What motivates you to attend these two extra-sweaty classes?

[HYBRID is] a great class and a great group of people, and it pushes me to do as much as I can. I’m sure I’m the sweatiest person in the gym by the time the class ends. I always feel great afterwards, and I want to keep getting better. Also a mid day workout fits into my schedule the best.

I’m not sure I’d call myself a regular [at Fusion N Go], but I’ve been trying to fit in extra workouts as time and energy permit, and it fits the bill. It’s also a great “make up” alternative when I can’t make the MWF Hybrid class for some reason. I like that it moves quickly, so even if it’s intense, it’s over fast. And Dunte is a great coach!

 

What is your favorite movement? Least favorite?

Max: Favorite move. Probably Curtis P’s. They’re just so dang painful. Of course, I cannot do them right now. So if I had to pick a move I can do: Pistols… they’re just awful too.

Least favorite move? Easy: Bench press. It’s such a beach muscle move.

Robin: I like throwing the med balls, and I also like deadlifts. The most challenging movement for me is overhead deep squats, due to flexibility issues. Least favorite movement would be…um, the next to last round of pretty much anything.

 

What is your vision for the future of DBS? 

Max: I think that the shop is an incredible place and, selfishly, I’d like to see it stay unchanged and in the ‘hood. That said, the better part of me hopes that you get to expand and bring the DBS mojo to other parts of Austin.

Robin: I’ve been impressed with the evolution of the shop in the last year, and I think DBS will go far because your intentions and values are in the right place. I would love to be involved in any way that I can. I look forward to seeing where it evolves, and continuing to participate.

 

In three sentences or less, describe the community at DBS.

Max: Dane’s is important to me. It’s a community of individuals united by their willingness to put in the work required to create change. This community inspires me to put in my best efforts, not just at the Shop, but also in my broader life.

Robin: The heart and soul of DBS are the great coaches who are always upbeat, positive and encouraging. It is more than a gym, it really is a great community of people.

 
To begin your membership at DBS, click here!

 

May Fusion Athletes: Mark Hernandez & Cherise Smith

We’d like to congratulate Mark Hernandez and Cherise Smith, our May Fusion Athletes of the Month!

Both Mark and Cherise were chosen because of their dedication to fitness,  as well as their drive and determination to improve and bounce back from life’s obstacles.

We asked Mark and Cherise a few questions about the relationship with fitness, their experience with our community, and how they manage such busy schedules.

 

How did you first hear about The Shop, and how long have you been training here?

MARK: I’ve been working out at DBS since the summer of 2011. A fellow DBS member, Richard, kept telling me about this great boot camp run by an ex-pro football player and suggested I give it a try. After the first day I was amazed, humbled, and hooked!

CHERISE: [My husband] Geoff started going to DBS first, when I was in the fourth month of a high-risk pregnancy. He’d come home after a workout exhilarated, telling me about movements and workouts.  I was a little jealous that I couldn’t participate, but mostly, I was determined to try them, when I was able.  I started coming to DBS two months after the baby was

 

Can you tell us more about your fitness background?

M: Prior to joining DBS, most of my workouts over the years included swimming, running, mountain biking, and lifting weights. I discovered P90X in 2008 and got great results; however, I was I very bored working out by myself. I played a number of team sports and my favorites were soccer and ultimate Frisbee until I discovered rugby in college. I  played rugby for about 10 years and I was very fortunate to participate in a tour over seas and got the privilege of trying out for the US National team. After my athletic career was over, I got my rugby coaching certification and volunteered my time to help start a high school program here in Austin, along with coaching at UT and Saint Edwards. I continue to play in a touch rugby league during the summer and I will continue to push my limits at DBS.

 

C: I’ve always loved to play sports, for both fitness and competition.  I swam competitively as a kid.  In high school, I played volleyball year-round, in addition to participating in a school-based sport in every season.  I played volleyball at a Division 1 university.  I’ve completed a half marathon — not my thing!  As all of my DBS friends know, I’m a slow and plodding long-distance runner.  I’ve done a number of sprint triathlons, which is much more to my liking.  Since I’ve been in Austin, I’ve also picked up tennis.

 

You both have extremely busy lives. How do you fit workouts into your schedules? Why is working out important to you?

M: As an actor, finding time to workout is definitely a challenge, as I constantly have to adjust my schedule to prepare for auditions and life in general. I work a day job, practice real estate on the side, and I am very active in my neighborhood. Staying fit is a priority for me because it creates a sense of well being that carries into every aspect of my life. I believe that if you really want something badly enough, you will do whatever it takes to make it happen. For me, that translates into making the time to work out rather than coming up with excuses why I can’t.

C: At the beginning of the week, I put the DBS workouts in my calendar.  Generally, I try to workout in the morning, so that the day doesn’t get in the way.  Sometimes it’s hard to fit in, but no one in my family wants to see me without a daily dose of endorphins! I exercise for physical and mental well-being.  As a former athlete, I admit to being a little vain, too!

 

Cherise, you were back in the Shop only weeks after having your second son, how did you do it?

I started coming to workouts when Baby Kaj was 8 weeks old.  I delivered him C-section, so I had to wait a little bit to heal.  To build up my fitness, I started walking, then running.  I went to 2 DBS workouts a week for a few weeks, then increased to three.  Now, I typically do four.  By going to DBS, my fitness returned quickly.

 

Mark, you often attend Veronica’s 7:30 p.m. class. What is it about that class, time and instructor that is appealing to you? 

The 7:30 class is the most convenient for schedule and it also helps me go to sleep at night. Veronica takes great care in her coaching, especially when she demonstrates movements and ensures we maintain our technique. She definitely walks the walk. I like her easy going attitude and she always seems to know just the right time when to push me, especially when I am struggling. Even when we are pushing through a tough session, we always seem to get in a good laugh about my growling because I can’t run as fast as I want to or because we have to do burpees again!

 

If you had to describe your experience at the Shop to a total stranger, what would you say in 3 sentences or less?

M: DBS is a fitness community where you always feel welcome and nobody will ever judge you regardless of your fitness level. The coaches are certified, helpful, and professional. The workouts are always challenging, always different, and we do fun things together, like steak night and the zombie obstacle course!

C: Everyone I’ve brought has liked and respected the workouts. I tell people how much I love the feeling of accomplishment after a workout; that I love how the workouts integrate lifting, stretching, and cardio; and maybe most importantly, it’s a nice community.   DBS coaches push you to do your best and encourage you along the way.

Congratulations Mark and Cherise! Keep up the great work!

 

To give Dane’s Body Shop a try, take a look at our schedule and see which class is right for you!