Our Spotlight Member this month is Rebecca! In her interview, she shares about the importance of community, and having a focus in training that isn’t on what you look like. Rebecca embraces new experiences with an open heart and mind, and we are so lucky to have her in our Breakthrough family!
BREAKTHROUGH: Rebecca, thank you so much for being our next Spotlight member. I am really excited to chat with you.
REBECCA: I am honored.
BREAKTHROUGH: It’s been since November of last year. How is it possible that it has been almost a year that you’ve been here! It’s crazy! So, tell me about what was happening before you joined. How were you feeling? What was going on?
REBECCA: Well, at the time I was on strike from work, so I had a lot of time on my hands that I didn’t usually have. At the time, physically, I was doing a lot of yoga and walking, which are the things I have done most of my life for physical activity. So I was looking for something more strength related. But I had a lot of hesitancy about training at a gym for many reasons.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yeah.
REBECCA: One of the reasons is that I’ve lived with an eating disorder for the past 30 years… I can’t believe I am that old!
BREAKTHROUGH: You are still young!
REBECCA: So, I have very negative associations with my body, and any exercise for me has always been how many calories can I burn.
BREAKTHROUGH: Right.
REBECCA: I tend to be very influenced by people in gyms who are really focused on diet culture type stuff, and weight loss and stuff like that. So, I was concerned about that. And I am very self-conscience about my body and how it may appear to others. I don’t like people looking at me. So, this is like a big deal.
BREAKTHROUGH: It’s a huge step to even contact us and then to walk through the door for the first time. It takes a lot of courage to do that.
REBECCA: Yeah, I think I was googling gyms, and I came across your website and I remember thinking that this seems too good to be true!
BREAKTHROUGH: Ha, ha!
REBECCA: I was reading your blogs and then I am like – it’s right near Target and I go to Target every day. How did I not know this existed?
BREAKTHROUGH: We are kind of hidden back here in the corner.
REBECCA: Yeah. So, I got really excited, and I emailed you. You were lovely. And I came in a couple of days later and I tried it. I thought, oh my God! – it’s not too good to be true!
BREAKTHROUGH: No! It’s true! Yes, it is hard when everything that you associate with gyms has these elements that can be so negative. It is hard to trust that there is another option. There is another way of doing things. And so, I am very grateful that you did take a risk and decide to come in and see for yourself that there is another way. There is another sort of aspect of things to focus on that is not just how small can I get; how much can I compare myself to others, to see other people who are staring at me. It doesn’t have to be that way. Now that it’s been almost a year, what are some of the things that you notice? Are you feeling stronger?
REBECCA: I’ve gotten a lot stronger than I thought I would have. Like with core, for example, because I did gymnastics as a kid. So I was that kid. I don’t know, like on the east coast, where we had that physical fitness test. I don’t know if you had that out here…
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes, we did, but few people did well on those.
REBECCA: Well, I was the only girl who could actually do pull-ups. It was because of gymnastics but that was like a million years ago.
BREAKTHROUGH: Sure!
REBECCA: So, I couldn’t do any when I first came here, and I was surprised at how quickly I was able to get my first pull-up again. And then with the kettlebells…
BREAKTHROUGH: Then one pull-up became 3. You accomplished that really quickly! Because you had a background of that – muscle memory was in there for you. If you weren’t going to say it, I was going to. Definitely we need to be proud of the pull-ups! So, the kettlebells…?
REBECCA: With the kettlebells, I just went up a lot quicker than I thought I would.
BREAKTHROUGH: In the weights that you are using?
REBECCA: Yeah, bells that at first, I could barely pick up and suddenly I am swinging them around! That’s crazy!
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes! And then to see you deadlifting! Now you have signed up and are two weeks into our Tactical Strength Challenge. That’s already going really well, and we are already talking about using a heavier bell for snatches. So how are you feeling about that?
REBECCA: Good. I had some concerns about that just because is it going to play into of my super competitiveness? Not so much with others but with myself, just what I think I should be able to do? But it is going well so far!
BREAKTHROUGH: Great!
REBECCA: There is a lot of rest built in, which is hard for me…
BREAKTHROUGH: Ha, ha! It is for a lot of people! So, you are not alone with that. I am glad that you decided to do it. It is really rewarding. It’s one of those things I really love participating in. Is there anything that has surprised you about your training here?
REBECCA: I love the yoga classes and that is not really a surprise because I have always loved yoga. But it is very different.
BREAKTHROUGH: It’s not exactly like what people would expect.
REBECCA: I remember you warning me about that. Yes, it is very different from anything I have ever done, but I love it! Like Friday night yoga is my favorite. It’s such a warm atmosphere – like the fact that everyone is like “Two Blocks”.
BREAKTHROUGH: Two blocks! Ha, ha! I know!
REBECCA: It’s so chill and heartwarming. I love being here.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yay!
REBECCA: And you are so knowledgeable about all of our muscles and how they all work together. I love nerding out with all that.
BREAKTHROUGH: I love all that stuff too! It was serendipitous that you found us! And I love how you are willing to jump in and try the challenges, and do new things, and interact with people. It’s really great to have you as part of our community. So, the last question I will ask is what is your why? What is the thing that motivates you? You’re here at 6:00 a.m. most of the time and that is not an easy time to get here. You are here 3-4 days a week. So, what is the thing that motivates you to do that?
REBECCA: It is two things. One, I am trying to cultivate a kind of more neutral relationship with my body. I am hesitant to even say more positive relationship, at this point.
BREAKTHROUGH: Neutral is good! I like that!
REBECCA: And also I work in the field of mental health and when I am not in alignment with what I am telling other people to do – not that I tell people what to do, but what I am hoping for them. If I’m not taking care of myself and prioritizing my own well-being and physical and mental health, then I just really feel really gross about myself. I have a lot of internal conflicts, so I strive to be in line with that. I can only be there for other people in that way if I care for myself.
BREAKTHROUGH: That makes perfect sense. You are leading from a place that is authentic. Because you are not telling people to do something that you aren’t also doing. That is really important. It makes you trustworthy. That is great why. I love it! Anything else you want to share? Anything we didn’t cover?
REBECCA: I am just so, so happy that I found this place and that I gave it a try. The community atmosphere is so wonderful. I just love that. It just helps me when I am going through stuff in my own life. To know that I am not alone. Several days a week I get to come here and be with around people who are really good people.
BREAKTHROUGH: It does help. I totally agree! And the more people like you, the better it is, the stronger it is! That’s why we do it! Thank you so much, Rebecca! I appreciate it!
REBECCA: You are welcome!