MINDBODYWhen you come to Castle Hill Fitness, you’re entering so much more than just a gym. You’re entering a community – a creative, playful, multifaceted, and innovative hub of health and fitness. Our team of over 70 talented professionals is only one aspect of this incredible community. Without our amazing clients, we wouldn’t even be here! Each one of our members brings something wonderful to our Castle walls, and we want to celebrate their unique stories! With our Member of the Month features we will cast a spotlight on a chosen individual, and gain insight on their motivations, passions, and wisdom.
1. What makes Castle Hill Fitness special for you?
I really love the environment, the classes they offer, the instructors and all their staff. Everyone is really friendly and they sure know how to push you through the workouts and that’s definitely something I need. I really like the different offerings for classes.
2. How long have you been a member at Castle Hill Fitness?
It’s been about two and a half years.
3. What does your regular routine at Castle Hill Fitness look like?
I normally attend morning and midday classes. Mondays and Fridays 8:30/9:30am classes, and Tuesday-Thursday 12:15/12:30pm classes. If I’m really feeling it and have the time, I sometimes even attend two classes a day! 🙂
4. Do you have a favorite or hardest class that makes you feel proud of yourself for completing?
Oh, here we go…an easy question, haha. D.A.S.H. is for sure the hardest class I’ve been taking. (Side note: Why do I keep coming back to it?! Don’t read this, Jeremy!) But seriously, it’s a tough one for me but it’s what I need, it motivates me to try my best and definitely makes me feel proud of myself for taking it every single week.
5. Tell us a little about yourself outside of the gym. What are you most passionate about?
Growing up, I was passionate about a certain TV show which led me to participate as a walk-on on some recent projects. That experience really lit a fire inside me. Also, I love the simple things in life- how one small act of love or a word can make a huge difference in someone’s life. It really fills my heart with joy.
6. Where did this passion come from? Did you have a mentor or an individual that helped you with your passion?
I guess my passion came from my childhood. I became obsessed with one particular show, One Tree Hill, which really spoke to me. This led me to a desire to become an actress, even though I’m not, yet. I did some theater in my teens but not much more. Recently, I have started to take acting classes again and had an opportunity in California for a walk-on role. It was amazing!!
I don’t have a specific mentor but I do look up to certain people who I think are loving, generous, and amazing at what they do.
7. What motivated you to become so active in fitness?
As much as I’d hate to say this, I’d probably say feeling not pretty/skinny enough or being bullied a lot. It led me to start exercising and going to the gym in 2013. It’s that first thing that gets you to want to change somehow, but then you get to a point where you start to love it and it becomes a part of you and your routines, while still workings towards those goals you set for yourself.
But I did get to a point in my life about a year and a half ago when I realized how much weight I’ve gained over the year I’ve been living abroad and living an extremely poor health life. Not that I wasn’t still going to the gym, but I wasn’t really doing my best and I had terrible eating habits. One day, I just woke up and realized I needed to change that, not just because of my physical appearance – which I have always struggled with and yes, it was a big reason – but because of my health. So that’s what pushed me to become the most active I’ve ever been in my life.
8. In your opinion, what is your greatest achievement?
That is a tough one and I think there’s two things I should say: I would say becoming the person I am today based on what I’ve been through in the past and as a child is pretty much my greatest achievement. And, of course, I couldn’t not say losing over 50 pounds in the last year by myself and due to my self-motivation is for sure one of the greatest accomplishments I’ve ever had. It’s not easy and I definitely struggled a lot – you doubt yourself at times, a lot comes back at you, but I’m proud of myself for keeping it up. Truth be told, I’m still working towards my goal but I know I’ve had a lot of progress so I should be happy about it.
9. If you could give some words of wisdom to others about staying active, what would you tell them?
It may seem hard at first, it may seem like you’re misplaced, and you might find yourself comparing your abilities to others and thinking less of yourself. That happens, and it’s OK to feel that way. But just know that everyone has their own pace, their strengths, and limitations. We all are a work in progress. So just keep it up and you’ll 100% get there, whatever your goal is. (It’s definitely something I need to tell myself all the time – a daily reminder.)
Want the spotlight on you? Reach out to be a part of our Member of the Month club!
