Our Spotlight Member this month is Caroline! Caroline came to Breakthrough wanting to learn proper technique for lifting heavier loads to build muscle, and she has been doing an amazing job! in her interview she shares about the power of being surrounded by a supportive community, and the gift it is to be able to move your body every day!
BREAKTHROUGH: Caroline, thank you so much for being our Spotlight member this month.
CAROLINE: Thank you so much!
BREAKTHROUGH: So, tell me a little bit about what you were doing before you joined. What made you feel like this was something that you wanted to try?
CAROLINE: I have been working out kind of regularly on my own for a long time. I think I started when I was 37. I am 49 now. My goal back then was to get in shape by the time I turned 40. And when you are younger, it is much easier, at least for me. I found that I was able to kind of get myself into shape. Everything was going great. Then 2020 – Covid hit, and my body was going through perimenopause at the same time. I didn’t realize what was happening. Everything started shifting. What was working for me in the past wasn’t working anymore. I was still going to the gym, but I wasn’t feeling the same level of strength that I usually used to have. I felt that I needed guidance, so I started trying out different gyms. Every gym was pretty similar in their approach… A group setting and very high intensity workouts, which I was used to doing when I was younger. I felt like as I was older, I needed to change my approach and focus more on strength training. Even though they did incorporate strength training, it wasn’t targeted and personalized. I didn’t feel like anyone was really watching me. I felt I could get injured a little more easily.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yeah.
CAROLINE: And then I found Breakthrough Strength and Fitness through a Facebook group. But something about that post one of the women here posted, I think it was Mae…
BREAKTHROUGH: Oh yeah, Mae!
CAROLINE: Yeah, Mae. I think she told a little bit of her story. And I thought, this is something that I need to try. I liked when I first came here, you gave me that test to assess my flexibility, my strength…
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes, right. We did a movement screen.
CAROLINE: Yes, I was like this is different.
BREAKTHROUGH: Well, yay! I am glad that you found your way to us! It has been really, really awesome to see you getting stronger and to see you challenging yourself with different things. Do you feel like there are things that you are doing that you didn’t really imagine you would ever do?
CAROLINE: Everything! Everything! I never imagined that I would use a barbell or do deadlifts or even attempt a pull up. I wasn’t sure how to lift heavy. I have always wanted to, but all of the aerobic classes I took, even with weights, were really low weights. And I know you really need to build muscle as you get older.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes, and in order to do that we have to challenge your body to adapt. So, you have to use the appropriate amount of load. Heavy can sound scary to people, but heavy is really relative to the person, and to the activity. I love when I get to train with you, it’s like I know you are piecing together all the little cues that we are giving you. You are really taking your time to make sure you are doing things properly. I just love when people want to learn as they are getting a good workout!
CAROLINE: Thank you! Thank you!
BREAKTHROUGH: Is there anything that has surprised you?
CAROLINE: I think – I know this is different than what you are expecting – but I think it is the energy of the gym. It is such a good energy. It is hard to explain what it is. Like no matter what kind of day I am having, or what of kind of night I had, or how I feel in the morning, I just walk in and it’s like it all just melts away. There is such positivity here! It is really unique!
BREAKTHROUGH: Oh, that is so good!
CAROLINE: It is really special. Even if I think maybe I will skip it, I am like no, you know you’re going to feel amazing.
BREAKTHROUGH: That makes me really happy!
CAROLINE: It is a unique energy, and I think that is why people are drawn to this, and stay here. I’ve heard people say they have been here for many years. It is because you just really feel connected to the place, more so than just a regular gym.
BREAKTHROUGH: That is awesome. That makes me really happy because that is what we want. We want it to feel like a community where you are always going to be supported, and people here want you to succeed.
CAROLINE: Right!
BREAKTHROUGH: So, one of our most important questions that we get a lot of inspiration from is – what is your why? What is the thing that keeps you going and inspires you to make this commitment?
CAROLINE: I have two very strong whys. I am always reminded of it. My personal, kind of egotistic why is that I am turning 50 in July, and I really want to be in amazing shape. I want to be in great shape and just feel strong especially, and feel really good about myself. But my bigger long term why is that my dad had a stroke almost two and a half years ago, and he is in a nursing home. Every time I walk in, and I see that no one can move, I am like – every day that you can move, you have to move! It is such a gift to move. Those people wish they could move. My dad used to walk, and he wishes he could walk again. And so, every day, I am like, if I can move today, I will move my body. And if I can get stronger, I will get stronger. And then also, I think it is important for aging. I really want to be 95-98 years old and still moving and still functioning. What I love about this place, also, is that it really feels like functional strength training.
BREAKTHROUGH: I love that! Those are things I know I can relate to myself, and I know others will too. Thank you for sharing that. Anything else you want to share that we didn’t cover?
CAROLINE: No, I think – just get the word out there. Everyone should know about this because it is such a unique program. I am really grateful that you guys created this. Every time I come here, I am like thank God they created this because it is really needed and amazing!
BREAKTHROUGH: Oh yay! Great!
CAROLINE: So kudos to you all!
BREAKTHROUGH: Thank you, and we are so glad that you are a part of our Breakthrough family!